Australian Football League R8 Richmond Tigers Vs Hawthorn Hawks 5/15 2310EST

If the Tigers fell to the 15th placed Crows to the tune of 50 points last week. then 14th placed Hawthorn present no lesser challenge. Will the sporting gods have mercy?

Drawing level early in the last term, the Tigers simply faded away to eventually go down to the tune of 50 points, whilst the Hawks flew to Perth only to go down by 1 point to a valiant West Coast. Back for the Hawks this week will be Franklin, Sam Mitchell and Rhan Hooper, as well as the expectation that gun recruit Shaun Burgoyne will make his debut for the club.

Averaging 27 disposals per game, Shane Tuck has been the shining light in the otherwise dull Tigers lineup as he managed 38 disposals against the Cats a couple of weeks back. Shaun Burgoyne, after suffering a series of leg injuries and a broken jaw will, make his long awaited debut for the Hawks. A acrimonious trade in 2009, Burgoyne will provide further class to the Hawks midfield.

Are the Tigers capable of extracting their 1st win of the season against a fellow bottom four side? Are the Hawks capable of keeping their faintest-of-faint finals hopes alive? Can Shaun Burgoyne be the spark the 2008 premiers need? To finalise, the Hawks have too much firepower up front for the Tigers. Jarryd Roughhead booted six last week, and Franklin has booted five in each of his last two games. If the Hawks midfield can supply enough ball, they could cause havoc. My pick here is Hawthorn -30.5 (-102 at pinnacle) for 1 unit.





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