Veteran midfielder Brad Sewell seized the moment as Hawthorn extended their recent domination of Collingwood with a finals-shaping 29-point AFL win at the MCG.
Power forward Travis Cloke had dragged the Magpies within two points midway through the third term on Saturday with the fourth major of his impressive five-goal haul.
Enter the 30-year-old Sewell, a two-time premiership hero, who has only managed five senior matches to date in his 11th season.
Never a noted goalkicker, Sewell’s instinctive snap against the run of play gave the Hawks some valuable breathing space.
A further three goals in as many minutes from Hawthorn late in the term had Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley fuming at the efforts of his young ruckman Jarrod Witts and the Hawks well on the way to a 17.13 (115) to 13.8 (86) victory which further entrenched them in the top four.
“This is a brutal, tough competition and (Sewell) was a little slow to get going this year,” said Hawthorn interim coach Brendon Bolton.
“We always knew he would.
“Challenge isn’t unusual in any organisation.
“He’s proud and determined and it’s more from within than external.”
Sewell finished the match with 26 possessions, vying for best afield honours with opposing forwards Cloke and Luke Breust, who led the Hawks’ multi-pronged attack with four majors.
Jarryd Roughead also booted three goals for Hawthorn, while Cyril Rioli and Ryan Schoenmakers chipped in with two apiece.
Hawthorn have won their past six games against Collingwood by an average margin of more than six goals.
“The combination is more what we consider than just looking at Breust’s game or Rioli’s game because forward-line craft is about team and about us,” said Bolton.
Witts bore the brunt of Buckley’s anger for failing to stand up when the Hawks made their decisive run in the third quarter.
“We’d worked so hard as a side to be in the game and we need every individual to understand … those moments in games that you need to seize,” said Buckley.
“And Hawthorn were that side today that seized those moments and we let them go.”
The Magpies’ win-loss record slips to 8-5 ahead of the June 29 clash with traditional rivals Carlton at the MCG.
Hawthorn travel to Launceston next Saturday to take on Gold Coast.
lyn
Guest
Why wasn't this game played at Aurora? The AFL in selecting the draw are treating Tasmanians with contempt. Hawthorn plays all the dud teams here as they know they will not draw the crowds at other venues. Give us some of the big named clubs so we can be treated to some good football instead of attending the games knowing the outcome - and they wonder why the crowds are dropping off. Better still give us our own team then see how the attendances double.
Xman
Guest
Eddie claims the expansion clubs are lowering standard to explain friday night. He is taking the shine off Magpiess poor performance and Buckleys spat. He has too many bosses who have cross agendas - Nine doesnt want the AFL to expand but Fox wants more games that are exclusive to Pay so more expansion into new areas the better as NRL has maximised its reach into NSW and Qld...Eddie you cant please them all...
Lroy
Guest
Agreed, with Buddy gone Roughie should really be given license to roam the forward line, its a waste of time playing him in the ruck (as they do from time to time). They are going to be hard to beat when they have all hands on deck I think.
Knoxy
Guest
It's a problem we've been trying to fix for a few seasons. After Dawes left they brought in Quentin Lynch last year but that didn't work. Jesse White's showed promising signs this year although he's been quiet in recent weeks.
Michael huston
Guest
It's not a great way to boost the confidence of a young kid whose lacking that exact thing. Although, Collingwood have always had an open culture re leadership and performance. I recall the days when Malthouse would regularly give players individual sprays, and Maxwell a few weeks back giving it to Fasolo. Who knows, could be their whacky way of coming together and lifting eachother. Don't think there was anything really wrong with Collingwood, besides their forward structure which has plagued them all year. They've pinned their hopes on the most inconsistent power forward in the comp, a small forward who has to play further up the ground at times, and a recruit who clearly needs further development. In fact, the times when the Pies have looked most assertive and collected in front of goals is when it's in the hands of the likes of Swan, Pendlebury, Beams etc. Aside from the same issue they've had for much of the year, think they just got beaten by a very good opponent.
Penster
Guest
Great to see Cloke firing. Not sure about Nathan Buckley's public spray of his ruck man or the comments in media that followed it.
Michael huston
Guest
Clokes a confidence forward like Buddy. Once he gets one or two in him, he'll just build and build. Collingwood needs more forward options though. Two weeks in a row your key forwards kicked a bag and the teams lost.
Knoxy
Guest
As a Pies fan I'd been looking forward to this game for a few weeks as I knew it would be a good test to see where our team is at. I was disappointed at the end of the day but not surprised. Hawthorn were far too strong. Good to see Cloke finally back in form though.
Michael huston
Guest
It baffles me that people think Hawthorn aren't favourites. Did nobody see that when fully fit they're arguably the most dangerous side in the comp? Even with injuries, they've been fine. No thrashings, but they've gotten the job done while slowly but surely regaining their stars. Don't be surprised if the GF this year is a replay of 2012, hopefully with the same result (couldn't help myself)