One of the blockbusters of the round happens this afternoon as Collingwood and Hawthorn do battle at the MCG. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 3.15pm AEST.
These two teams will undoubtedly be right up the top of the tree for the 2013 season and last week showed that.
Collingwood fought back from numerous dangerous deficits to swamp the Blues, while Hawthorn showed their claws against a fellow premiership contender West Coast in Perth despite a short turnaround.
Sure, Hawthorn lost to Geelong in Round 1. I don’t think that means as much as what a win could mean here.
Collingwood’s record of big-time matches puts them in good stead for this afternoon’s game. Two matches in and their steely resolve has gotten them over the line so far.
As the days pass, their injury list is growing smaller. Last week’s return of Heath Shaw around the ground was impressive to say the least.
And with Dale Thomas pressing his claims in the VFL last weekend, there’s a good conundrum for Nathan Buckley to fit them all in.
Collingwood will need to break a three-game losing streak against the Hawks and will be hoping to stop a man who’s deadly against them – Lance Franklin.
Many thought the Hawks were off the mark in the pre-season, despite all but one of their losses being by one point.
The shorter pre-season may have harmed them against Geelong in round one, but last week was a break-out performance.
Beating the West Coast Eagles in Perth on a six-day turnaround is a fair feat, especially when they kicked eight goals in the final quarter to romp away with a 50-point win.
They may feel the pressure a little today though with Brad Sewell missing with a hamstring injury.
Luke Hodge’s return was promising and is expected to be better for last week’s run, while Brian Lake played well in the VFL and could force his way back in.
Will Collingwood continue their undefeated run? Or will Hawthorn prove their premiership favouritism? Join us from 3.15pm AEST for coverage of what should be a fascinating contest.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Yeah, that's a tough one. I'd say it'll be a 50-50 split. Hawthorn's 2nd half might take some of the gloss off Sydney's third quarter. But JR's right, the calibre of opponent should probably weight it in Hawthorn's favour
JR Salazar
Guest
After the fact, coming from you, but once the second half started, the Hawks elected to stop with this nonsense and start playing real footy. That's flipping the switch.
JR Salazar
Guest
I say the second half of this game because of who Hawthorne played.
Lord
Guest
Hawthorn are pretty good at beer league style!!!!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Did not see a 55-pt result on the cards. Bigger away win than against the Eagles.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Interesting, wonder what was the more impressive achievement, that second half or the third quarter 11-1 haul of Sydney in Hobart against North Melbourne?
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Surprising the centre clearance count was actually level. The difference was all about how they used the centre breaks. Just like last week....
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORE – Hawthorn 22.13 (145) def. Collingwood 13.12 (90) QUARTER BY QUARTER COLL 3.6 7.6 11.9 13.12 (90) HAW 2.1 7.5 15.9 22.13 (145) GOALKICKERS COLL (7) – Travis Cloke 5, Jamie Elliott 3, Jarryd Blair 1, Ben Hudson 1, Alex Fasolo 1, Nathan Brown 1, Quinten Lynch 1 HAW (11) – Lance Franklin 4, Luke Breust 3, Jarryd Roughead 3, Shaun Burgoyne 3, Luke Hodge 2, Bradley Hill 2, David Hale 1, Jed Anderson 1, Grant Birchall 1, Paul Puopolo 1, Jordan Lewis 1 TEAM STATS Disposals: HAW 372-365 | Contested Possessions: HAW 174-167 | Disposal Efficiency: COLL 67%-66% | Kicking Efficiency: COLL 60%-59% | Marks: HAW 67-66 | Marks Inside 50: LEVEL 11-11 | Tackles: HAW 75-74 | Clearances: HAW 50-43 | Centre Clearances: LEVEL 19-19 | Inside 50’s: HAW 59-51 PLAYER STATS Dane Swan (COLL) 33 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 10 clearances, 5 tackles, 10 inside 50’s Luke Hodge (HAW) 31 disposals, 17 contested posessions, 4 clearances, 6 tackles, 6 inside 50’s, 1 goal, 1 goal assist Scott Pendlebury (COLL) 29 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 6 clearances, 7 tackles, 4 inside 50’s Liam Shiels (HAW) 28 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 9 clearances, 5 tackles, 8 inside 50’s Grant Birchall (HAW) 28 disposals, 4 marks, 5 rebound 50’s, 4 one-percenters, 1 goal, 1 goal assist
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORE – Hawthorn 22.13 (145) def. Collingwood 13.12 (90) Even in the wet, Hawthorn are able to kick 22 goals today - 15 in the second half, when the conditions were getting a little bit better. Collingwood just not able to stop the likes of Hodge, Lewis and Mitchell in the middle. Centre clearance count I'll get for you, but the damage the Hawks did in the centre clearances was amazing.
JR Salazar
Guest
Good teams lay down the law late. Hawthorn is a class example.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORE – Hawthorn 22.13 (145) def. Collingwood 13.12 (90) There's the siren! Hawthorn gallop away in the second half and win by a mammoth 55 points against Collingwood! Stunning performance!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:38 left – COLL 13.12 (90) | HAW 22.13 (145) Kick forward for the Pies from O'Brien finds Jamie Elliott. Kicks from 45m out - but drifts to the left... behind only
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
They flicked the switch last week in the final quarter against West Coast. I must admit, I was surprised when it started to happen here... but both West Coast and Collingwood are great teams. Hawthorn starting to really motor!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:52 left – COLL 13.11 (89) | HAW 22.13 (145) Dale Thomas kicks into the pocket to Dane Swan... missed the mark, but the ump gives him a free kick for high contact. Just clipped in the face as he went for the mark. Accidental, but worth the free kick. Swan kicks a behind
JR Salazar
Guest
NIce, Hawthorn have finally decided to stop playing beer league football and revert to playing AFL-style footy. Way to flip the switch and do some work for once boys.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:57 left – COLL 13.10 (88) | HAW 22.13 (145) This is turning into a rout! Bradley Hill wins the footy from a marking contest, snaps around the corner to Lance Franklin - completely on his lonesome! Kicks on goal, but misses.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:57 left – COLL 13.10 (88) | HAW 22.12 (144) Tired legs out there for the Pies as they turn it over in the middle of the ground. Luke Breust gives off to Shaun Burgoyne - GOAL! So much pressure in the middle... so many one-percenters!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
For most AFL fans, that's worth the price of admission! Amazing turnaround in this second half. So tight for the first hour...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:30 left – COLL 13.10 (88) | HAW 21.12 (138) Cyril Rioli starting to light up the MCG - amazing skills from this guy! Now Birchall kicks to Bradley Hill at half forward - gets a free kick for high contact. Kicks to the goal square - Hale knocks it away... Franklin on the boundary... almost went for it - but got it knocked out of his hands - ball in. Cleared by Dane Swan
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Have left to join the exodus of sad and sorry looking Collingwood supporters waiting for the tram.