Highlights: Hawthorn top the ladder after catching fast-starting Suns

The Hawks have leapt to the top of the AFL ladder after downing a spirited Gold Coast outfit by 26 points at Aurora Stadium. It was the club’s 18th win in a row at the Launceston ground, and their eighth straight win over the Suns.

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The Suns started the game on fire, with twin towers Tom Lynch and Peter Wright busy early, unable to be beaten in the air or at ground level.

Gary Ablett also started in blistering form with a plethora of disposals in a dominant display in the centre.

It was the Suns defensive efforts and tackling that got them out to an early lead, and despite Hawthorn’s experience, the Gold Coast led by 15 at the first break.

The second term was when the Hawks began to even things up, Sam Mitchell engineering plenty of attacks out of the centre with help from Jordan Lewis and Grant Birchall.

Hawthorn’s slick defensive unit wrestled back control, while up forward emerging superstar James Sicily kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Despite the change in momentum, the Suns refused to be overrun and went into halftime up by a single point.

In the third term the Suns had early chances to extend their lead, but poor shots on goal from Day and Lynch let the Hawks off the hook, and they did their duty in making the visitors pay.

Goals to Ceglar and Bruest and a big lift from captain Luke Hodge meant the reigning premiers went into the final break up by 14, well and truly in control.

As the Suns tired around the ground the Hawks only improved, and as the last quarter began the gap continued to widen. Gold Coast began turning over the ball habitually, playing into the expert defensive structures of the Hawks.

The champion team rode out the game as they know best, driving through some late goals via Taylor Duryea and Shaun Burgoyne to close out a tough win.

Despite the fade away, there were good signs all round for the Suns, with a much improved defensive presence in the first half keeping Hawthorn from scoring freely as they so often can.

Their forward line also looks to be well set for the future, Lynch and Wright headlining what could be a powerful force as soon as next season.

Skills abandoned them late, but they showed enough against a quality side to suggest they aren’t as bad as their 10-game loss streak might look.

Gary Ablett worked tirelessly to collect 40 disposals while Aaron Hall also played very well in his return.

The Hawks continue to roll, looking better every week. Superstars Hodge, Birchall and Lewis all contributed brilliantly today, although it was Sam Mitchell who took the honours of best-on-ground, with a wonderful 35-touch game highlighting his ability to direct traffic and always find a teammate.

It’s an ever-familiar tale of the brown and gold as we head into the final third of the season, their tremendous discipline, skill and experience making them as tough to beat as ever – those who wrote them off would surely be eating their words by now.

Hawthorn will now rest up with a well-earned bye, while the Suns will go into a winnable match at home against the Saints.

Final score
Hawthorn 12.14.86
Gold Coast 8.12.60

The Roar’s AFL MVP votes
3: Sam Mitchell – 35 touches, 8 clearances and 5 tackles. Always did the right thing, never panicked and ran all day.

2: Gary Ablett – 40 touches (25 contested), 15 clearances, 4 inside 50s and 4 rebound 50s. Worked harder than anyone and used the ball well.

1: Luke Hodge – 28 touches, 6 rebound 50s, 4 inside 50s and 9 marks. Wonderful return game, gaining plenty of ground with his touches and showing his trademark presence.