The Cats will have many Hawks to hunt for this Friday night but the one Hawk that Harry Taylor has his eye on is Isaac Smith.

Taylor says speed and endurance are the wingman's key assets, which allows him to dominate all areas of the ground if left unattended.  

“He’s just got great aerobic ability and also great speed. He uses his running ability really well and he’s able to get the ball at either end of the ground also through the middle,” Taylor said.

Last time Smith met the Cats in Round 15 at the MCG he embezzled 19 disposals, four clearances and three tackles. According to Taylor, Smith is looking brilliant on paper as well as on the field.

“He’s probably having his best statistical season so far. Averaging 20 disposals a game, a lot of rebound and inside-50s as well as kicking goals this season,” Taylor explained.

“That great running ability allows him to get back into defence… and he’s also able to push forward and be dangerous.”

The Cats will have to keep Smith close and the intensity high, says Taylor, in order to shutdown his motor and restrict his velocity.

“It’s really important on the big MCG ground that we don’t let him use his speed and his ability to run and get forward or back to defend,”

“It’s important that whoever matches up on him pays close attention and pressures him as much as possible, stopping him from getting the ball out in the wings and in the space that he is able to create, because he's so fit and runs so well.

"He’s a really smart player.”

However, Taylor and the Cats will be ready to deconstruct the Hawks come Friday night.

Click on the video above to catch the complete episode of Opposition Breakdown on Cats TV.