The Brisbane Lions fired early but ultimately were no match for the Hawthorn Hawks who claimed a 72-point victory.
>>MATCH REPORT: Hawks thrash Lions by 72
Hawthorn 21.8.134 def Brisbane 9.8.62
The Hawthorn Hawks will be looking for a comfortable win when they face the Brisbane Lions at Aurora Stadium today. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:10pm AEST.
At this stage of the season all the Hawks are really looking to do is keep winning so they stay in their spot on the ladder without getting too much to worry about in terms of injury or suspension.
Luke Hodge is missing from their side with a two week holiday for shoving Chad Wingard last week that altogether equates to nothing more than a well-timed rest for the Hawthorn captain.
Paul Puopolo will also miss the game with an ankle injury and it’s speculated that Sam Mitchell could be a late out due to illness also.
That does leave the Hawthorn side a little undermanned but they should still be comfortable of a win over the stuttering Lions, who have had a terrible season overrun by injury and form troubles.
While the Lions, lead by skipper Tom Rockliff, will no doubt put in a good effort, on paper the match-up just seems like a comedy act even with the Hawks missing a couple of their best.
The Hawks have a great record in Aurora this year and it’ll be a good chance for them to play a few of their players back into form.
Jarryd Roughead for example has been quiet over the last few weeks but should have a day out against Brisbane’s inexperienced backline, he kicked seven goals against the Bulldogs earlier in the year at this venue.
Will Langford who has come in for the Hawks will also get his chance to impress and hopefully earn himself a place in the Hawks’ finals line-up for 2015.
As far as the Lions go, they’ve lost Jack Redden to a groin injury for the season and have dropped Zac O’Brien and Trent West with Daniel Rich, Justin Clarke and Hugh Beasley coming in to replace them.
Prediction
Hawthorn shouldn’t drop this one, and it could get ugly.
Hawthorn by 42 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:10pm AEST.
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FULL TIME HAWTHORN 21.8.134 BRISBANE 9.8.62
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GOAL HAWTHORN James Sicily kicks his second goal for the day after the final siren is blown. HAWTHORN 21.8.134 BRISBANE 9.8.62
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BEHIND HAWTHORN Behind from David Hale. HAWTHORN 20.8.128 BRISBANE 9.8.62
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BEHIND HAWTHORN Jarryd Roughead kicks a behind. HAWTHORN 20.7.127 BRISBANE 9.8.62
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GOAL HAWTHORN James Frawley back up forward, slots his third goal and Hawthorn's twentieth. Margin 64. HAWTHORN 20.6.126 BRISBANE 9.8.62
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GOAL BRISBANE Josh Green snags his second goal, hard to believe there are folks booing him at the ground. HAWTHORN 19.6.120 BRISBANE 9.8.62
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BEHIND HAWTHORN Cyril Rioli hands one off to Jarryd Roughead from a 50m but it doesn't pan out, just a behind to Roughead. HAWTHORN 19.6.120 BRISBANE 8.8.56
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GOAL HAWTHORN Ben McEvoy slots a goal for the Hawks, make that 63 the lead. HAWTHORN 19.5.119 BRISBANE 8.8.56
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GOAL HAWTHORN Jarryd Roughead slots his third goal, Hawks lead jumps out to 57. HAWTHORN 18.5.113 BRISBANE 8.8.56
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GOAL HAWTHORN David Hale marks up forward and slots his first goal of the day, margin at 51. HAWTHORN 17.5.107 BRISBANE 8.8.56
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GOAL HAWTHORN Jack Gunston sinks his fourth goal. HAWTHORN 16.5.101 BRISBANE 8.8.56
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Final term underway.
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3-QUARTER TIME HAWTHORN 15.5.95 BRISBANE 8.8.56
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GOAL BRISBANE Josh Green finds a goal, that's their third in a row and the margin's 49. HAWTHORN 15.5.95 BRISBANE 8.8.56
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BEHIND BRISBANE Josh Green misses a shot on goal from about 50m out. HAWTHORN 15.5.95 BRISBANE 7.8.50
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Isaac Smith subbed off with Billy Hartung coming on, looks like a decision to give Smith a rest rather than any injury concern.
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GOAL BRISBANE Lions get two in a row - Mitch Robinson snags their seventh goal and his first of the day. HAWTHORN 15.5.95 BRISBANE 7.6.48
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Frawley spent a bit of time up forward early but has gone down back since. He did well up forward (two goals), having an easy day down back against Brisbane's inexperienced talls. Hill's going alright. That accidental slap to the head from Frawley must have woken him up. Hopefully this is a good confidence-builder for him ahead of finals. Sicily, he's doing okay though he kicked one into the man on the mark before which wasn't a great look for him. Doing okay, I don't think he's going to force his way into the finals side though. I think Ceglar is probably your man there but it's a close call, really. Hale contributing well enough. As a Roos fan I'd love to see Hale win another one!