Hawthorn will be aiming to extend a six-match winning run when they meet GWS Giants in Tasmania this afternoon. We’ll have live scores from 2.10pm AEST.
The AFL might be committed to their GWS Giants project in the long-term, but 2013 is proving to be a testing time for the AFL’s newest club.
Last Sunday they were dismantled by Adelaide Crows, themselves having an up-and-down season, to the tune of 135 points in front of a reported crowd of just over 5,000 fans.
The 0-7 Giants sit in 18th spot on the AFL ladder with a percentage of just 57.4, a figure that is likely to fall further after this afternoon when they a Hawthorn side who’ve barely put a foot wrong since losing to the Cats in Round 1.
The Hawks gained a small measure of revenge from last year’s Grand Final loss to Sydney last Saturday night when they overpowered the Swans en route to a 37-point victory.
Hawthorn will come into this game missing Cyril Rioli, who remains sidelined with a hamstring tear, and Xavier Ellis as the only short-term casualties, but coach Alastair Clarkson could use the game to rest other players with niggling injuries.
These two sides met only once in 2012, with the Hawks victorious on that occasion by 162 points and the Giants managing only four goals on that occasion.
Judging by the way the two sides have been travelling in recent weeks, a repeat result might not be too hard to envisage.
Brodie
Roar Guru
If I had the votes today they would go; 3 Votes: Jordan Lewis (27 disposals, 11 clearances, 4 tackles, 1 goal, 6 inside 50's, 14 contested possessions & 85% D/E) 2 Votes: Sam Mitchell (35 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50's & 1 goal) 1 Vote: Issac Smith ( 19 disposals with plenty of run) Be sure to stay tuned with The Roar for the rest of the weekend as we continue to cover all things sport. Until next time. Twitter - @BrodieChivers
Brodie
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Hawks win easily over the young Giants in what was somewhat of a scrap for both teams. Mitchell and Lewis were first class as they collected 62 disposals between them. Giants will be pleased with the physical play but in the end faded out disappointingly. Hawthorn Hawks: 21.14.140 Western Sydney Giants: 9.3.57 GOALS HAW: Roughead 5, Gunston 3, Burgoyne 2, Franklin 2, Mitchell 1, Shiels 1, Smith 1, Sewell 1, Hodge 1, Hale 1, Puopolo 1, Bailey 1 GWS: Cameron 4, Adams 1, Palmer 1, Scully 1, Miles 1, Bugg 1 TOP DISPOSALS HAW: Mitchell 35, Lewis 27, Burgoyne 23, Simpkin 23, Roughead 22, Sewell 22 GWS: Coniglio 28, Adams 25, Ward 24, Palmer 22, Kennedy 22
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 1′ Remaining Paul Puopolo gets his week coathanger tackle free kick 25m out form goal but he dishes off to Roughead who kicks it out on the full. Hawthorn Hawks: 20.14.134 Western Sydney Giants: 9.3.57
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 5′ Remaining Ward finds Taylor Adams inside 50 for the Giants. Adams for a consolidation goal..... misses. Hawthorn Hawks: 20.14.134 Western Sydney Giants: 9.3.57
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 8′ Remaining Brad Sewell proves his class as throws away a GWS defender 50m and takes a shot. GOAL! Hawthorn Hawks: 20.14.134 Western Sydney Giants: 9.2.56
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 8′ Remaining David Hale gets the mark from the clearance and kicks a behind. From the kick out Liam Shiels marks 45 out. He also misses. Hawthorn Hawks: 19.14.128 Western Sydney Giants: 9.2.56
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 –10′ Remaining Starting to get disappointing for the Giants now as it appears they have given up defensively. Hodge marks and a good lead then kicks to the gol square for a wide open Shaun Burgoyne. GOAL! Hawthorn Hawks: 19.12.126 Western Sydney Giants: 9.2.56
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 –12′ Remaining Dureya to Smith to Hale to Puopolo. Puopolo from 30m out GOALS! Hawthorn Hawks: 18.12.120 Western Sydney Giants: 9.2.56
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 –14′ Remaining Gunston snaps a behind from the clearance for the Hawks and from the ensuing kick in Jordan Lewis intercepts the kick and should kick his first. GOAL! Jordan Lewis has been supreme today getting a game high 10 clearances. Hawthorn Hawks: 17.12.114 Western Sydney Giants: 9.2.56
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 –15′ Remaining Ruckman Max Bailey wins a free kick and should slot his first after getting a push in the ruck contest. He jogs in confidently and slots it! GOAL! Hawthorn Hawks: 16.11.107 Western Sydney Giants: 9.2.56
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 –16′ Remaining Brad Sewell gets the kick inside 50 towards Buddy's and Roughie's direction. Franklin gives away a free kick as the Giants run on with the advantage as they head forward quickly. Cameron marks inside 50 trots in and GOALS! Hawthorn Hawks: 15.11.101 Western Sydney Giants: 9.2.56
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 –20′ Remaining We get the fourth underway with a Roughead behind for the Hawks in what should have been a goal. Hawthorn Hawks: 15.11.101 Western Sydney Giants: 8.2.50
Brodie
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME Hawthorn Hawks: 15.10.100 Western Sydney Giants: 8.2.50 A great quarter by the Giants should have them pleased. The Hawks weren't terrible but were not great either so Clarkson should rip right into them as they go for the kill. Sam Mitchell is the star of the day as he has a case of leather poisoning with 29 disposals. GOALS HAW: Roughead 4, Gunston 3, Franklin 2, Mitchell 1, Burgoyne 1, Shiels 1, Hodge 1, Smith 1, Hale 1 GWS: Cameron 3, Bugg 1, Miles 1, Scully 1, Palmer 1, Adams 1 TOP DISPOSALS HAW: Mitchell 29, Lewis 22, Burgoyne 20, Simpkin 19, Guerra 17 GWS: Conigilio 24, Adams 19, Palmer 18, Ward 18, Scully 16
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 –1′ Remaining Sorry that last Puopolo kick was out on the full. And from the free kick GWS turn it over to Issac Smith who finds a lone man in the goal square in David Hale. Hale boots a GOAL! Hawthorn Hawks: 15.10.100 Western Sydney Giants: 8.2.50
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 –1′ Remaining Burgoyne gets a throw in clearance 60m out and hits Paul Puopolo 25m out on a tough angle. Poppy kicks, Behind. Hawthorn Hawks: 14.11.95 Western Sydney Giants: 8.2.50
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 –2′ Remaining We have a throw in inside the Hawks 50 now. Some good tackling from both teams has the ball locked in. Hawthorn Hawks: 14.10.94 Western Sydney Giants: 8.2.50
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 –2′ Remaining Thing's have really lulled out in this game now as it seems like both teams aren't interested anymore Hawthorn Hawks: 14.10.94 Western Sydney Giants: 8.2.50
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 – 5′ Remaining Brian Lake in the center square goes to Ben Stratton who ran forward and will kick for goal from 40 out. The defender Ben Stratton kicks a Behind. Hawthorn Hawks: 14.10.94 Western Sydney Giants: 8.2.50
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 – 8′ Remaining SUBSTITUTE HAWTHORN OFF: Michael Osbourne ON: Paul Puopolo Hawthorn Hawks: 14.9.93 Western Sydney Giants: 8.2.50
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 – 9′ Remaining Burgoyne goes inside 50 for the Hawks to Roughead as it spills to ground Mitchell lays the tackle and we will have a throw up. Michael Osbourne gives away the free kick for a bit of nasty play behind the play. Disappointing. Hawthorn Hawks: 14.9.93 Western Sydney Giants: 8.2.50