Big Ben set for Rhys wrestle

HAWTHORN big man Ben McEvoy says curtailing Rhys Stanley’s athleticism will be key to winning the midfield battle.

The former St Kilda teammates last clashed on Easter Monday, 2018, when McEvoy won the hit-outs 43-28 to help the Hawks win by a point.

But Tom Mitchell had 40 touches that day and Gary Ablett had 35. In the space of 12 months, both midfields have changed greatly and McEvoy said it will be a whole new ball game.

“We know those players are going to be dangerous wherever they are on the ground, and certainly the Cats’ young players have been impressive this year too,” he said.

“They seem to be firing on all cylinders at the moment.

“We’re still probably a work k in progress in there. we’d “We like haven’t with played some injuries a lot o of footy together so we probably don’t have the continuity that and we probably don’t have the e chemistry we’d like yet either.

“But it’s super exciting to o have those young guys in there playing and getting a chance.

“There’s always a give and take. We’re missing some key blokes but it’s super exciting to have young guys in there as well.”

While the Hawks had yet to complete their pre-game opposition analysis, McEvoy said he knew Stanley’s game pretty well.

“It looks like he’s in really good form,” he said.

“Being ex-teammates, I’m sure he’ll get himself up for the game.

“He’s a tremendous athlete. It’s always hard to deal with his run and movement and jump, but I’m sure it will be a good battle.

“I just find I have to think my way through it. I’ll have a close look at it over the next day or two and remind myself of what’s worked before, but I find the best way is just to be thinking your way through it during the game and try and use the experience I’ve learnt through the years.”

McEvoy said there’s “always a bit of extra spice” when the Hawks and Cats clash on Easter Monday.

“It’s a big stage, there’s a lot of history between the clubs,” he said.

“It doesn’t feel to me like it’s bad blood but both teams get themselves up for the fight.

“We’ve had some epic challenges over the year so it’s a privilege to play in these big games.”

HE’S A TREMENDOUS ATHLETE. IT’S ALWAYS HARD TO DEAL WITH HIS RUN AND MOVEMENT AND JUMP, BUT I’M SURE IT WILL BE A GOOD BATTLE. BEN McEVOY

FACE-OFF: Hawthorn’s Ben McEvoy and Geelong’s Rhys Stanley are headed for another showdown after a history of ruck battles. They were once teammates at St Kilda (inset, bottom).