Bad weather prevented Hawthorn from getting in to the Gold Coast on time yesterday, but one player who won’t have been surprised when the team was greeted with sunshine is ex-Broadbeach Cat David Hale.

While Hale has played on the Metricon Stadium turf a number of times as a Kangaroo when his former side North Melbourne used Carrara as a second home, tonight’s contest will be only the second time he has visited his old stomping ground as a Hawk.

The ruckman didn’t play the last time the teams met when the GC SUNS almost stunned Hawthorn in Melbourne, at one point holding a 17-point lead in the third term, but he is well aware of the task facing his premiership-winning side tonight.

“They could almost be three and zip (this year) and they’ve got such a strong midfield that, if they get control in there, they give themselves every chance to kick a winning score,” Hale told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Hale – one of nine Broadbeach players to reach the AFL – will work in tandem with Jonathon Ceglar in the ruck, with former Saint Ben McEvoy to spend another week recovering from a calf problem.

The duo managed to keep Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands in check in last week’s demolition of the Dockers at the ‘G as the Hawks smashed the visitors when it came to contested footy, a stat the SUNS currently lead in the AFL.

The former Queenslander can help his stellar midfield get their hands on the ball first tonight, but he admits it is almost impossible to stop someone of Gary Ablett’s ability from getting his hands on the Sherrin.

“Good players still find the ball no matter who you put on them,” Hale said.

“It’s more about lessening his impact than his touches, in a way.

“He is always going to get his 30 touches because he is such a good player and he knows where the ball is going all the time.  We’ve just got to make sure he doesn’t kick his three or four goals and hit his forwards.”

The Hawks welcome back skipper Luke Hodge who sat out the win over Freo with a groin injury.