A great second half by the Hawks ends the streak of the Swans.
Some of the Swans best didn’t play well tonight but that takes nothing away from the performance of the Hawks.
They are starting to get their best players on the ground and that is showing in a big way.
The Premiership race is certainly back on in a big way.
FINAL SCORE:
Hawks 15.14 (104)
Swans 13.16 (94)
The Sydney Swans will be aiming for history tonight when they take on the Hawthorn Hawks in a potential Grand Final match-up at the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores, commentary and a blog of the match from 7:40pm AEST.
In one of the most anticipated matches of the year, the Swans will be looking for their 13th straight win with a victory over the Hawks.
The Swans – as both South Melbourne and Sydney – have never won 13 in a row and are 0 wins and 4 losses when they have won 12 matches in a row.
Standing in their way is a team which will be looking to end the streak and move to the top of the ladder with the Swans.
A win by Hawthorn would move them level with the Swans on 13 wins for the season.
With a big enough win they could even replace the Swans at the top of the ladder.
It promises to be a fascinating match with so many headlines stealing the show.
The matches won in a row is just one of the stories that will unfold tonight. Another is the reaction Lance Franklin will get when he returns to Melbourne to face his former team.
It has already captured attention this week with Shaun Burgoyne asking the fans to respect Franklin during the match.
This was immediately rebutted by the Hawthorn coach, Alistair Clarkson, who said the fans should do want they want to the ‘faceless man’ of the team.
How the crowd react will be interesting. How the Hawthorn players react to Franklin, spurred on by the crowd, will also be something to watch.
Last time out, in Round 8, Franklin was one of the best players for the Swans, as he kicked 2 goals in their 19 point win.
It could have been so much better for the West Australian after kicking 7 straight behinds in the opening three quarters during the match.
He was helped by fellow tall, Kurt Tippett, who kicked four goals in that match.
Tippett returns to the team after a knee injury and replaces Brandon Jack for the important match.
Hawthorn’s stopping of these two forwards will be another storyline of the match.
They once again face the Swans forwards without Brian Lake, who is serving another suspension, after choking Drew Petrie during their clash with North Melbourne in Round 16.
The Hawks do have Josh Gibson back after he recovered from a pectoral injury he suffered during the Round 8 match with the Swans.
He looks likely to match-up against his mate in Lance Franklin in a fascinating battle between the two former team-mates.
Gibson is one of three changes for the clash with Brad Hill and debutant Alex Woodward in the squad. Woodward is another story in the match.
After being on the Hawthorn list for three years, and having two knee reconstructions during that time, the 21 year old will make his debut in one of the matches of the year.
He adds some much needed grunt to the Hawthorn midfield which got hammered by the Swans in their last meeting.
They lost contested possessions, uncontested possessions, tackles, centre clearances, and inside 50’s against the Swans in their last match.
The Swans best midfielders also had a big day out with Daniel Hannebury (40 disposals), Josh Kennedy (36 disposals), and Kieran Jack (29 disposals) getting plenty of the ball.
Stopping these players will be crucial to Hawthorn’s chances tonight.
The team though has improved considerably since that game as many of their stars have come back from either injury or suspension.
It is a match that could go either way.
Hawthorn will be hoping recent form in Melbourne against the Swans will continue.
In the last 7 matches played at the MCG between the two, Hawthorn has won six of them. Sydney’s last win against the Hawks in Melbourne was the 2012 Grand Final.
It has been seven years since the Swans defeated the Hawks during the home and away season. I see that changing tonight and Sydney to win their 13th straight game.
They are incredibly strong in all areas and have too many match winners for the Hawks.
PREDICTION: Swans by 15 points.
Fabes
Guest
Have a cry mate
Speckem
Guest
Eat a comment bosk, you eddie regurgitator
AB
Guest
Great win by the Hawks. They looked gone early in the third quarter, but didn't panic, stuck with the game plan and ground the Swans into the dirt. I reckon the ladder now reflects reality - it's a three-way contest between Hawthorn, Sydney and Geelong. No disrespect to Freo and Port - both great clubs - but they're not quite in the same class at this stage.
AB
Guest
Great win by the Hawks. They looked gone early in the third quarter, but didn't panic, stuck Witt the game plan and ground the Swans into the dirt. I reckon the ladder now reflects reality - it's a three-way contest between Hawthorn, Sydney and Geelong. No disrespect to Freo and Port - both great clubs - but they're not quite in the same class at this stage.
Bosk
Roar Rookie
PUT THAT IN YOUR AFL-ASSISTED PIPE AND SMOKE IT COLA SWANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
BEST PLAYERS: HAWTHORN LEWIS, MITCHELL, ROUGHEAD, SHIELS, SMITH SYDNEY FRANKLIN, GOODES, RAMPE, MCGLYNN, BIRD THOUGHTS: A great second half by the Hawks ends the streak of the Swans. Some of the Swans best didn't play well tonight but that takes nothing away from the performance of the Hawks. They are starting to get their best players on the ground and that is showing in a big way. They are back in a big way and this Premiership race is back on in a big way. Thanks for joining me tonight in this big match. The Hawks defeat the Swans and end the streak. Good night.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
FULL TIME STATS: Leading Disposal Winners HAWTHORN Lewis 35, Mitchell 32, Hodge 28, Shiels 26, Birchall 24 SYDNEY Bird 25, Kennedy 25, Rampe 24, McGlynn 23, Jack 21 TEAM STATS: DISPOSALS: Hawthorn 389 Sydney 345 CONTESTED POSSESSIONS: Sydney 143 Hawthorn 138 UNCONTESTED POSSESSIONS: Hawthorn 252 Sydney 204 MARKS: Sydney 90 Hawthorn 85 TACKLES: Sydney 64 Hawthorn 46 INSIDE 50′s: Hawthorn 55 Sydney 49 HIT OUTS: Hawthorn 46 Sydney 32 CLEARANCES: Hawthorn 35 Sydney 33
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: HAWTHORN 15 14 104 Roughead 4, Breust 3, Smith 3, Puopolo 2, Gunston 1, Burgoyne 1, Hodge 1 SYDNEY 13 16 94 Goodes 4, Franklin 3, McGlynn 3, Tippett 2, Kennedy 1,
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Hawthorn defeat the Sydney Swans by 10 points. The streak of the Swans is over. What a game of football. More of that in September please.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Q4 - 1:00 Ben McGlynn adds a consolation goal for the Swans. It is his third for the game. The goal puts the Swans back on top of the ladder on percentage. HAWTHORN 15 14 104 SYDNEY 13 16 94
Andrew
Guest
the only disgrace in the end was the appalling umpiring, but Sydney have expected that in Melbourne for the last 10 years
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Q4 - 1:30 A rushed behind is scored and Sydney try to run the ball through the middle to score the goals needed to win. Hawthorn gain the ball in the middle instead and Birchalll finds Hodge inside the 50. He kicks truly and seals the win for Hawthorn. Don't worry folks this team is still in contention for the Premiership. The sleeping giant is awake. HAWTHORN 15 14 104 SYDNEY 12 16 88
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Q4 - 2:30 Hawthorn are starting to hold the ball up and waste time. One more goal to them hands them the win. Sydney need two more goals.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Q4 - 3:45 Was that a mark to Adam Goodes? Jetta kicks a long ball inside the 50 and Goodes held the ball for a short period of time before it was taken out of his hands. That has been paid sometimes. Gibson was able to rush the ball over the line for a behind. Hawks by 9 points. HAWTHORN 14 13 97 SYDNEY 12 16 88
Andrew
Guest
mark not given - if hawks win by anything less than 20 - it is the umpires victory
Andrew
Guest
and again, mcglynn elbowed in the head by7 Stratton - high fend off twenty five out dead in front!
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Q4 - 6:00 This has been Adam Goodes' best game this year. He kicks his fourth goal for the match and Sydney are back to within ten points of the Hawks. The Swans won the ball up near their 50 and Goodes was found on his own inside the 50. HAWTHORN 14 13 97 SYDNEY 12 15 87
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Q4 - 9:00 That will hurt the Swans though. Burgoyne intercepts a kick from Nick Smith and boots a big goal from just inside the 50 metre mark. He pumps his fist as he celebrates the goal. Hawks by 15. HAWTHORN 14 12 96 SYDNEY 11 15 81
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Q4 - 10:30 You just never ride off the Swans. A lovely chain of hand passes finds Goodes inside the 50. He uses his pace to go past the defender and he kicks the goal along the ground to keep Sydney alive. Hawks by 9 points. HAWTHORN 13 12 90 SYDNEY 11 15 81
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Q4 - 10:30 You just never ride off the Swans. A lovely chain of hand passes finds Goodes inside the 50. He uses his pace to go past the defender and he kicks the goal along the ground to keep Sydney alive. Hawks by 9 points. HAWTHORN 13 12 90 SYDNEY 11 15 81