Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli combined for nine goals to guide Hawthorn to a convincing 50-point victory over West Coast in Sunday’s AFL clash at Patersons Stadium.
Hawthorn, coming off a six-day break and playing in 32 degree heat, looked vulnerable when West Coast closed the margin to 19 points at the final change.
But the Hawks flexed their muscle when it mattered most, slamming home eight goals to three in the last quarter to cruise to the 23.10 (148) to 15.8 (98) victory.
Franklin booted five goals and Rioli finished with four, while Luke Breust (four goals), Grant Birchall, Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell were also key contributors.
Hawthorn skipper Hodge, in his first match of the season, tallied 25 disposals in defence and played out the entire match.
The Eagles were well served by Josh Kennedy (five goals) and midfielders Chris Masten and Matt Priddis.
But with ruckman Nic Naitanui, forward Mark LeCras, Sharrod Wellingham and Matt Rosa still sidelined, the Eagles look a shadow of the team that started the season as genuine premiership fancies.
West Coast are now 0-2, but should notch their first win of the season next week when they take on struggling Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday.
The Eagles were shellshocked early as Hawthorn raced out to a 39-point lead in the second quarter.
Big guns Rioli, Franklin and Jarryd Roughead were all prominent in front of goal, but it was West Coast’s lack of pressure through the midfield that handed the ascendancy to the visitors.
It took until midway through the second quarter for West Coast to finally hit their straps, and they made the most of the momentum switch to slam on four unanswered goals within the space of five minutes.
Kennedy and Jack Darling were influential during the onslaught as Hawthorn’s lead was whittled down to 14 points, but late goals to Breust and Roughead eased the pressure on the visitors.
Hawthorn were back in the box seat after kicking the opening two goals of the third quarter.
But once again West Coast fought back, closing to 19 points at the final change.
Hawthorn coughed up a 30-point lead in their loss to Geelong on Monday, but they dug deep to ensure history wouldn’t repeat.
West Coast should have finished the stronger in the final term given they had 15 days to prepare for the match, but it was Hawthorn who powered home to notch their first win of the year.
Jax
Guest
Agreed, can't believe how many players are down on form eg Waters, Hurn, Cox, Gaff, Shuey, Embley etc. add those names to the injury list and it's half the team missing
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Any section of the draw with Carlton in it has little claim to being soft :) Getting some MCG experience is good. Dogs are stronger this year but would still be penciled in as a win. Port... Hard to get a read on those boys. Either way, we need to hold the fort during this stretch, after which the first round of players should begin to return. We have a great forward line and back line, but forwards cannot live on bread alone and what back line can handle so many I50s, especially against forwards who can make so many tricky shots all day long!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Believe me, I know the full list, just mentioning the players we need in to return the midfield to serviceability. Otherwise Top4 contenders WILL beat us, and Top8 contenders are LIKELY to beat us. Important the club keeps the right mindset during this time.
Jax
Guest
You forgot LeCras, Rosa, McKenzie and Nicoski Nathan - Nic Nat, Kerr and Wellingham is not the full injury picture, it's much worse and deeper. 3 All-Australians are on the sidelines and the #1 big man backman McKenzie to boot. I totally agree that they need to get on their bikes fast but they are good enough to come home with a strong sail if they can scrounge enough wins in the interrim and get these guys back on the park. I still think it's one or two years too early for WC as they are still a very young side but in saying that their best 22 can beat any team on the day. They will be livid don't worry about that, too early to count them out just yet.
Hawker
Guest
Eagles lucky they have a soft draw to keek them in the hunt - next 4 weeks Melb (a) Carl (h) Port (a) Dogs (h). should win at least 3 if not four of those.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Need Naita, Kerr and Wellingham back into that midfield with such urgency it is terrifying. Given how tight Top 4 was last year the season could slip away before we know it.
DJW
Guest
Woosha had no answer for the way Hawthorn setup and played. Similar to the way Freo came out ont the third quarter last game. Eagles totally dominated in the midfield. Conceeding far too many goals too. Credit to Hawthorn though, they were excellent.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Just disgusting, still filthy with the team. Without Kerr and Naita, this midfield is simply not up to grade. We had a better return on inside 50s to show that we were very strong front and back but that's not going to matter a damn when your midfield lets the other team DOUBLE your Inside 50s!