This was published 7 years ago
James Sicily, Billy Hartung back for Hawthorn, Toby McLean in for Bulldogs
By Rohan Connolly
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Hawthorn has looked to beef up both their scoring potency and their running power at selection for Friday night's cutthroat semi-final against the Western Bulldogs.
The Hawks have brought back forward James Sicily, a late withdrawal last week with illness, as well as midfield runner Billy Hartung, who was dropped for the qualifying final clash against Geelong.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have made just one change to the line-up that stunned West Coast in last week's elimination final. Forward Toby McLean comes into the side for the injured Lin Jong, whose season was ended by a serious shoulder injury.
Sicily has kicked 29 goals in his 21 games this season, fifth in the Hawks' goalkicking behind Jack Gunston, Cyril Rioli, Luke Breust and Paul Puopolo, and had missed only one game through suspension before he pulled out shortly before game time against the Cats.
Back in: Bulldog Toby McLean.Credit: Getty Images
He was match-winner for the Hawks in their thrilling round three clash with the Bulldogs, kicking a goal in the last minute to snatch victory. It was his third for the game.
Hartung has played 16 games this season, but has been dropped on three separate occasions, the most recent omission for last week's qualifying final.
The Hawks were beaten in midfield against Geelong, and would be anxious about a Bulldogs midfield looking a lot harder to handle since the return last week of injured pair Tom Liberatore and Jack Macrae, and the sensational games of Caleb Daniel and Luke Dahlhaus.
Hartung may offer some more pace against a team ranked not only No.1 for contested ball, against Hawthorn's 18th, but that also leads the competition for uncontested possession.
The Hawks will be hoping Sicily can not only kick goals, but help create opportunities for their army of ground-level goalkickers.
Hawthorn's scoring has dropped off substantially this season. In each of their past three premiership years, they've ranked No.1 for points scored. In 2016, they're only sixth, averaging nearly three goals less per game than last year. They've topped 100 points only once in the past six games.
The Bulldogs, who have also had their scoring issues this season, have punted on McLean, who played the first 11 games this season, averaging one goal per game until he injured a foot against West Coast in round 11.
He's played just one game since, against Essendon in round 22, before being dropped. The Dogs' brought Jake Stringer back into the mix for the elimination final against the Eagles, but he was quiet, and their 14 goals were shared among 14 individual goalkickers.
McLean's presence may help ease the burden on both Tom Boyd and Jordan Roughead to pitch in with goalkicking duties as well as carrying the ruck.