It’s the home away from home for Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium, as they host the Western Bulldogs to kick off Saturday football in Round 17. Live scores and commentary kicks off from 1.45pm AEST.
Today’s match is a chance for the Hawks to consolidate top spot and possibly strengthen their percentage gap on Geelong, while for the Bulldogs they need to bring their absolute A-game just to solidly compete with the best team in the competition.
It’s interesting to note the Hawks have decided against bringing back Lance Franklin or Brad Sewell for this game this afternoon – instead making a point to give them a better rest into the finals (unless there’s something more sinister that needs reading into).
The one thing that has been talked about a lot this week is the way the Hawks perform without Buddy Franklin, and the stats don’t lie.
Their winning percentage is still around the same: with Franklin it’s 59.4 percent, without Franklin it’s 59.3 percent.
Their scoring percentage is markedly better: with Franklin it sits at 113.1 percent, while a Hawks team without Franklin has an average of 118.5 percent.
Last week, it was Jack Gunston and Jarryd Roughead who kicked ten goals between them, while Isaac Smith and Shane Savage chimed in with three goals each.
So it shows Hawthorn’s more than capable of holding their own without their main spearhead.
Smith was right up there with the best of the Hawks last week and has shown his class since the bye averaging 22 disposals along with 20 tackles across the three games.
Hawthorn’s defence is the one area that has been put under question, but Brian Lake has found new life in a different team and seems like a new defender.
The Western Bulldogs have been one of those sides who have shown glimpses of brilliance throughout the year, but just clearly don’t have the quality of cattle to carry that across a full game.
Wins against the Giants and St Kilda doesn’t really say a great deal, but they have held their own in matches they were expected to get blown away in – Fremantle in Round 2, Geelong in Round 5 and last week against Essendon showed their ability.
But then they have matches like performances like that against Melbourne which make you shake your head and think “why?!”
The fact they play Hawthorn at their second home, where they’ve lost just once in 14 matches suggests today is going to be an uphill battle.
The only solace the Dogs can take is that the only time the two sides have met in Launceston, the Bulldogs were too good… and the Hawks went on to win the flag that year.
Their key will be the defence – trying to stop the likes of Roughead and Gunston along with the myriad of midfielders.
I honestly think Liam Jones can be the future of the Western Bulldogs up forward, but he has limited opportunities left for fans to have enough patience for him to become that – they’ll want results and want them quick.
Sometimes he doesn’t get the help from the midfielders, but there’s numerous times where he is his own enemy.
Today, the Dogs will be looking to put some pride on the line and prove to their fans and to the competition that they aren’t going to lie down to the end of the season.
But the Hawks too will be out to prove a point – that they mean business and will slaughter whoever comes in their way.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Hawthorn 13.17 (95) def. Western Bulldogs 11.10 (76) Quarter by Quarter Hawthorn 4.6 6.9 7.12 13.17 (95) Western Bulldogs 2.3 3.7 5.9 11.10 (76) Goalscorers HAW (8) – Jarryd Roughead 3, Jordan Lewis 2, Jonathan Simpkin 2, Luke Hodge 2, Paul Puopolo 1, Cyril Rioli 1, Brendan Whitecross 1, Luke Breust 1 WB (7) – Luke Dahlhaus 2, Daniel Giansiracusa 2, Ryan Griffen 2, Tory Dickson 2, Dylan Addison 1, Jarrad Grant 1, Liam Jones 1 Team Stats Disposals: WB 362-341; Disposal Efficiency: HAW 76%-75%; Kicking Efficiency: HAW 70%-68%; Contested Possessions: WB 131-118; Uncontested Possessions: WB 226-214; Marks: HAW 97-72; Clearances: HAW 29-32; Tackles: HAW 71-65; Inside 50’s: HAW 49-39; Hitouts: HAW 44-35 Player Stats Ryan Griffen (WB) 37 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 3 marks, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50’s, 2 goals, 2 goal assists Adam Cooney (WB) 33 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 6 marks, 4 clearances, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50’s, 1 goal assist Tom Liberatore (WB) 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 4 marks, 5 clearances, 4 tackles Daniel Giansiracusa (WB) 28 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 8 marks (2 contested, 3 inside 50), 6 inside 50’s, 2 goals Isaac Smith (HAW) 27 disposals, 8 contested possessions, 8 marks, 3 tackles
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Hawthorn 13.17 (95) def. Western Bulldogs 11.10 (76) A behind from Jarrad Grant finishes the game as the SIREN sounds at Aurora Stadium. Hawthorn get over the line in what was a scrappy performance from the Hawks. Not really the greatest game from them... but they've done enough to get the 4 points. Hawthorn win by 19 points.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:41 left | HAW 13.17 (95) | WB 11.9 (75) LIAM JONES tried to take mark of the year from the 4th position in the contest! Then Tory Dickson wins a free kick after a high tackl from Will Langford. Dickson from 30m out - GOAL! 4 in a row to finish the game for the Dogs. And the margin is what it really should have been from half an hour ago.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:32 left | HAW 13.17 (95) | WB 10.9 (69) Well, another shot on goal coming up for Liam Jones... or not! He passes off to the goal square... but it was like peak-hour traffic! Cooney had a chance, smothered off the boot... eventually Ryan Griffen gets some clear air... snaps from 25m out. GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:26 left | HAW 13.17 (95) | WB 9.9 (63) Will Minson handballs out in front of Ryan Griffen... kicks out in front of Jarrad Grant in the forward pocket. Then looks up to the goal square - JONES! Nice contested mark... then slots it home 15m out. Good goal from LFJ.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:19 left | HAW 13.17 (95) | WB 8.9 (57) Daniel Giansiracusa with a consolation goal for the Bulldogs, slotting it home from 35m out.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:03 left | HAW 13.17 (95) | WB 7.9 (51) Hawks going forward again from a clearance from the wing. Savage kicsk to a 3-on-3... Free kick to Hodge... advantage paid. Jarryd Roughead's got the ball in the goal square - GOAL!!! 3rd of the day, 50 for the year!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:04 left | HAW 12.17 (89) | WB 7.9 (51) Luke Breust with the best POSTER of the season! Side stepped his opponent in the forward pocket 3 times before he dribbled it along the ground! Unlucky not to convert, because it was a great little play!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:37 left | HAW 12.16 (88) | WB 7.9 (51) Nice kick inside 50 from Bradley Hill for the Hawks to spot up Luke Hodge. We've seen some absolute brilliance from him this arvo... a chance to kick his 2nd of the day... GOAL!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:53 left | HAW 11.16 (82) | WB 7.9 (51) David Hale marks just in front of the half back line... then uses Hill & Rioli to get it inside 50. Roughead vs. Roughead... Jarryd wants a free kick for holding the ball, didn't happen... then a rushed behind for the Hawks.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:59 left | HAW 11.15 (81) | WB 7.9 (51) Long ball inside 50 for the Hawks from Ben Stratton near the wing... long towards HALE! Marks it in front of Will Minson and David Hale can finish the contest off... Kicks on goal from 45m out... POSTER!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:43 left | HAW 11.14 (80) | WB 7.9 (51) Ryan Griffen with a bullet pass to Jarrad Grant! Looking for 2 in a minute the Doggies, but if you're a Dogs fan you wouldn't be too confident - because Grant & Jones & co. don't seem to have too much confidence going for goal today. Grant from 25m out - DOES KICK THE GOAL!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:26 left | HAW 11.14 (80) | WB 6.9 (45) Lachie Hunter with a free kick just outside the forward 50. He's got numbers ahead for the Dogs. Kicks to the pocket to Jackson Macrae. Marks, handballs to Luke Dahlhaus... ooooo... fumbles... then should have handballed over the top to his team mate... but at least he finished off with a GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 14:59 left | HAW 11.14 (80) | WB 5.9 (39) It's starting to unravel now for the Dogs. Have to clamp down here... Sewell out of the middle into the 50m... pack forms... no mark... almost a ball up... until Simpkin explodes from the pack! Runs into an open GOAL!! 5 in a row for the Hawks and Simpkin has 2!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 15:32 left | HAW 10.14 (74) | WB 5.9 (39) Luke Breust out of the middle... Rioli looking for a free kick... Gunston snaps it back into the middle from the forward pocket to BREUST... dropped it! Gathers again, kicks from 30m out - GOAL!! Hawks putting the after-burners on now!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 16:00 left | HAW 9.14 (68) | WB 5.9 (39) Ball in at the wing. Max Bailey wins the contest... straight down to Hodge - Bursts away! Ball eventually into the forward line... a bit messy... Puopolo a chance in he goal square... FELL OVER IT! Doggies clear, only as far as Jonathan Simpkin... 45m out - GOAL!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 16:59 left | HAW 8.14 (62) | WB 5.9 (39) On Brett Goodes - looked like his wrist could have copped a smack from some friendly fire off Liam Picken. David Hale with a great one-handed grab at half forward, then a short pass to Jarryd Roughead. Looking at his 3rd of the day... kicks from 50m out... POSTER!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 18:47 left | HAW 8.13 (61) | WB 5.9 (39) Bob Murphy forced to rush a behind... after a great clearance for the Hawks. Meanwhile, Brett Goodes is being rushed off the ground with what looks like an arm injury. Meanwhile, quick turnover as Jordan Lewis marks 48m out... Launches on goal... GOT IT!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 19:59 left | HAW 7.12 (54) | WB 5.9 (39) Final quarter underway SUBSTITUTION HAW - Jonathan Simpkin ON, Brent Guerra OFF
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME | HAW 7.12 (54) | WB 5.9 (39) Quarter by Quarter Hawthorn 4.6 6.9 7.12 Western Bulldogs 2.3 3.7 5.9 Goalscorers HAW (6) – Jarryd Roughead 2, Paul Puopolo 1, Cyril Rioli 1, Jordan Lewis 1, Luke Hodge 1, Brendan Whitecross 1 WB (5) – Luke Dahlhaus 1, Dylan Addison 1, Tory Dickson 1, Daniel Giansiracusa 1, Ryan Griffen 1 Team Stats Disposals: WB 268-252; Disposal Efficiency: HAW 75%-74%; Kicking Efficiency: HAW 68%-67%; Contested Possessions: WB 96-86; Uncontested Possessions: WB 165-157; Marks: HAW 66-57; Clearances: HAW 29-23; Tackles: HAW 59-55; Inside 50’s: HAW 34-29; Hitouts: HAW 37-24 Player Stats Ryan Griffen (WB) 25 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 3 marks, 4 clearances, 1 goal Adam Cooney (WB) 25 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 5 marks, 3 clearances, 3 rebound 50’s, 3 tackles, 1 goal Isaac Smith (HAW) 24 disposals, 7 contested possessions, 7 marks Tom Liberatore (WB) 21 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 4 marks, 4 tackles