Hawthorn midfielder Sam Mitchell has racked up a career high 44 disposals as Hawthorn scraped home for a three-point win over St Kilda in Launceston.
The Hawks’ stalwart, who left the ground in the second term with a bloodied face, returned heavily bandaged and finished Saturday’s game with 20 contested possessions and 10 centre clearances as the Hawks won 13.9 (87) to 13.6 (84).
The Hawks didn’t have it all their own way as the young Saints pushed them to their limit, with scores level at the final break and the Saints stretching out to an 11-point lead early in the final term.
The Saints had their chances to take the game away from Hawthorn, most notably when Paddy McCartin crashed the pack to take a high-flying mark 40m from goal, but his set shot failed to bend back the required amount as he registered a behind.
Turnovers proved costly for the Saints, especially in the first quarter, which ended with the Hawks taking an 18-point lead.
The Saints held their own kicking into the breeze and returned with a newfound confidence after the break.
Captain Nick Riewoldt was the driving force up front, winning the contest when marked by Luke Hodge, who sported a bandaged right forearm on his first game back from a fracture 19 days earlier.
St Kilda took the lead with a surge of confidence, but small errors remained a weakness and the premiers took a five-point lead into the main break.
Jonathon Ceglar, Luke Breust, Paul Puopolo, Tim O’Brien and James Sicily each finished with two goals for the Hawks.
Forward Josh Bruce showed the Saints they’ve made the right decision by renewing his contract, booting two goals, while Riewoldt, McCartin, and Darren Minchington also finished with two each.
AB
Guest
Sorry, that should be the 2011 Grand Final, obviously.
AB
Guest
The Hawks missed the 2012 Grand Final because of three or four umpiring blunders that all went against them in the last 10 minutes of the Preliminary Final. You win some, you lose some. The trick is to not allow yourself to be in a position where an umpire's call can win or lose the game.
jax
Guest
I missed the game but I've heard that the Hawks had another important umpiring decision go their way. I can't recall the last time that the Hawks had an important umpiring blunder not go their way. Hawks are winning the close ones which is what good sides do. They'll need to lift considerably to beat Adelaide but you can never write them off. They have shown they can lift for important games too often. I hope the Crows get up.
AB
Guest
Looks like the Hawks are having another hot-and-cold start to the season, just like last year. The difference is that this year they're winning the close ones. And Mitchell must be pretty close to being the front-runner for the Brownlow after three-and-a-half rounds. He's playing some scintillating footy this year.