Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Sam Mitchell has reflected on last year’s Gold Coast flogging as the moment things changed for Hawthorn as the sides prepare to meet again as top-four AFL outfits.
The Hawks will aim to crack the Suns’ TIO Stadium fortress – they’ve won all seven games at their home away from home – in Darwin on Thursday night.
Hawthorn (7-2) would jump to the top of the table, at least until Sunday afternoon, with a win while the Suns (6-2) are well positioned for a maiden finals campaign.
It was a different story when the sides met in round six last year, a youthful Suns belting Mitchell’s men by 53 points on the Gold Coast.
That dropped them to 0-5 and the coach, stewing post-game, hinted at a torrid week on the training paddock for his well-beaten side.
A 22-7 record since has been the response, Hawthorn losing just five more games last season including a semi-final to Port Adelaide by three points.
“They really taught us a lesson early last year,” Mitchell said.
“We’d been going along losing games, but being capable and in that awkward position where we played okay, so you could wish it away.
“That game was the one (that we said) we can’t accept that anymore and the players decided that’s not us anymore.
“From that point on the drive from the playing group has been first class.”
The Hawks have rested No.1 ruckman Lloyd Meek, with Ned Reeves recalled to face the one-two punch of Ned Moyle and Jarrod Witts.
The Suns surprised by not resting Witts after the five-day turnaround from last week’s tense defeat of Western Bulldogs in the Darwin heat.
Jack Scrimshaw, Cam Mackenzie and Tom Barrass are also back for Hawthorn.
Mitchell has opted to rest veteran forward Jack Gunston while Jarmen Impey (parental leave) and Luke Breust (back) won’t play.
David Swallow will play his second game of the season and 242nd of his career in what will be clubmate Touk Miller’s 200th Suns appearance.
The veteran is in for Jake Rogers (ankle) while Moyle has taken Will Graham’s (shoulder) spot.
