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There was no re-writing of the record books as Hawthorn saw off a plucky Greater Western Sydney by 83 points in Saturday’s AFL clash at Aurora Stadium.
The result might have never been in doubt but predictions the in-form Hawks would smash all kinds of records proved wide of the mark in a 21.14 (140) to 9.3 (57) victory.
The enthusiastic young Giants – $17 with the bookies – battled hard after last week’s mauling by Adelaide and even matched the Hawks’ third-quarter goal-scoring at three apiece after trailing by 47 at halftime.
The Hawks led by 50 at three-quarter time before running away against the tiring Giants in the last quarter in front of Launceston’s smallest AFL crowd, 10,513.
Typifying GWS’s fight was Jeremy Cameron with four hard-earned goals, his side’s only multiple scorer.
Jarryd Roughead booted five for the Hawks, with Jack Gunston three and Lance Franklin and Shaun Burgoyne recording doubles among 13 goal-kickers.
Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson had testily predicted a tough game on Friday, but his side’s winning streak extends to seven, while GWS remain winless after eight rounds.
Roughead had two by the first break after Hawthorn had booted six goals to two to lead 37-13.
The Hawks kicked the first four before GWS fought back tenaciously with goals to Palmer and Miles.
But Hawks midfielder Sam Mitchell ensured the quarter belonged to his side with an early contender for goal of the round, sneaking one through from a seemingly impossible angle.
Franklin and Gunston booted two each in the second term and the Hawks led 79-32 at the long break, and the floodgates looked like opening.
They didn’t and the Giants mounted a massive third-quarter effort that stifled the home side’s star-studded attack.
It was all they had left in the tank, though, and Hawthorn kicked six straight majors in the last to right the ship.
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