Gold Coast has held off a fast finishing Hawthorn to record their fifth win of the year at the MCG.
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Final score
Hawthorn Hawks 12.7.79
Gold Coast Suns 13.17.95
By the time the Hawthorn Hawks and Gold Coast Suns are done trading blows on Saturday afternoon; there will only be one team left that can lay genuine claim to finals aspirations. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 1:45pm AEST.
The do-or-die clash comes with both teams suffering indifferent form and important injuries, making this fixture even harder to pick.
Prior to last week; Hawthorn looked as though they had steadied the ship after a poor start. Coming off three wins in four starts, the Hawks were blown off the park by a rampant Port Adelaide last Thursday night.
They were subjected to their lowest half-time score in the clubs history, and didn’t register a goal until the third quarter. So many passengers on the night, it would have been a long review on Monday.
The Suns continued their tease with form by taking another highly touted scalp at Metricon.
As usual; after being smashed in the media all week for a dismal performance, they rallied by the weekend and outlasted the Eagles in a lacklustre contest.
Gary Ablett got a heap of it, but importantly there were contributions everywhere. They have a chance to consolidate that win with a morale-boosting victory on the road.
The Hawks will welcome back Will Langford and Tim O’Brien for this one, both are still trying to lock down a permanent spot so it’s an important week for them. Ty Vickery has been banished again.
The Suns lose Jarrod Harbrow to a club suspension, a big loss given his dash and ball use off half back.
Big game for
Luke Bruest: While he has been able to hit the scoreboard with reasonable regularity, he has struggled to get his hands on the ball and impact games. Felt like the wheel is turning a little over the last three weeks it could be time for a bag.
Steven May: He is much talked about in Victoria but rarely seen. Imagine the scramble for his signature if he turns out a monster performance on the MCG? He is a great defender with an appetite for the contest.
Prediction
Hawthorn has had 9 days to think about that loss at the Adelaide Oval so they will be smarting. Despite key injuries to the Hawks, I can’t trust the Suns on the road. Hawthorn should be too strong.
Hawthorn by 25
Swannies
Guest
Poor Hawks don't deserve this. Let's hope they can quickly turns things around. But I'm very sad to say this is possibly the end of a golden era...what they achieved was phenomenal and we don't like to see it ever end. September without Hawks won't be the same. We salute you!
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
If the curtain hadn't come down fully on an era about five weeks ago, it certainly has now.
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
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Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
Final score: GC 13.17.95 def Hawks 12.7.79
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
95-79 Suns 1 min to play
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
94-79 Suns Gunston gets his 5th but with 2.37 its too late. His second half has been great today!
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
94-73 Suns Peter Wright for the second week in a row has finished well when the Suns needed it. Has taken 10 marks and kicked 2.
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
88-73 Suns Burgoyne misses a set shot.
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
88-73 Suns there is still 6 mins to play
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
88-73 Suns Ainsworth takes a ripping contested mark in the pocket, misses a sitter. But Brand for the Hawks has encroached on the mark and given a goal away. Could be costly.
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
82-73 Suns i asked for lift from Gunston at the half and he has responded with 4! where has this come from? 6 in a row and its 9 points....
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
82-67 Suns 26 tackles to 4 in Hawks favour this quarter. That has converted to 3.1 to 0.2
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
82-67 Suns Gut running and pressure from the Hawks!! Gunstan gets his third but Obrien again creates the loose ball. 5 in a row for the Hawks....
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
82-61 Suns 10.40 to play and the Hawks are pressing, Smith should have done more with his last entry...
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
82-61 Suns GC are lifting but again 2 minor scores.... that might be costly!
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
80-61 Suns 17-3 tackles this quarter in Hawthorn's favour this quarter.
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
80-61 Suns 0 inside 50s for the Suns in 5 minutes of playing time
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
80-61 Suns Obrien again!!! The Hawks are tackling like maniacs and getting reward. 19 points, and now the Suns will panic.
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
80-54 Suns Hawks keep coming! Obrien with a chase down, and goal that gives the crowd some voice.... One more and the Suns will panic!
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
3QT GC 11.14.80 Hawks 7.6.48 The Suns kicked 5.8 that quarter to give themselves a 32 point buffer going into the last break. if they had kicked straighter this one would be over. For the Suns its a total control of the midfield that has seen them gain the ascendancy. Ablett is leading the way, and they have many more across the board. Wright and Lynch are proving too large for the Hawks defence. The Hawks are clinging on, but outside of a few winners they have lacked contributors. Tom Mitchell again has been prolific.