Star Hawthorn midfielder Tom Mitchell has broken the AFL’s game disposals record in the 34-point win over Collingwood at the MCG.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Hawthorn 15.11 (101)
Collingwood 9.13 (67)
The Hawthorn Hawks and the Collingwood Magpies meet in a crucial first-round matchup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:25pm (AEDT).
After both missing semi-final action in 2017, Hawthorn and Collingwood will have a pass mark for the season set as a return to the top eight.
For Collingwood, that was on the agenda twelve months ago, as the embattled Nathan Buckley sought to reignite his coaching career after the performance of the team continued to head south.
He has been entrusted with a still developing squad for 2018 and unless something changes, the supporters will undoubtedly be calling for his head, should the Pies fail to contend in the finals once again.
The talent at his disposal isn’t inept yet unfortunately some of their performances under Buckley have been and the gap between their best and worst days is far too wide.
The once mighty Hawthorn will look remarkably different without Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson organising in the back half.
With retirements, tough decisions and trades, the club will hope to have pulled the right strings and begin their rebuilding period in the right way with a first up win.
Alastair Clarkson will attempt to refresh the environment for the new squad and ensure that they understand this new phase in the club’s history may take some time to fully form.
These clubs are two of the toughest to get a handle on in terms of ladder predictions, with finals seemingly a distinct possibility yet considerable reservations about their potential existing at the same time.
Prediction
In a tough game to line up and the odds marginally favouring the Hawks, I am leaning a little the other way and can see the Pies getting things off to a bright start in a close run thing.
Collingwood by 13 points
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 7:25pm (AEDT).
Chris
Guest
Mr Thomas, a couple of quickies. Who replaces Buckley and when? Who replaces McGuire and when? What salaries are these jokers on? Who approves their pay packets? Did you notice the lack of hurt in the Collingwood changerooms after the game? They were smiling and feeling smug. The only guy that looked to be really suffering was the new guy Sam Murray. Not the atmosphere we maggies are used to seeing after a loss. The name should be changed to the COMFORT FOOTBALL CLUB.Very disturbing signs all round. We need a Tommy Hafey to shake things up a-la-1977.
slugger
Guest
After a raft of hype again this season, Buckley's pies fail on the big stage and show once again that the "rebuild' has gone terribly wrong. Perhaps it is meant to be the longest rebuild in history. In any case the clock is now ticking and it showed on Eddies face, they will both go, hopefully by round 10 most likely at the end of the season.
Cat
Roar Guru
Notice he and ‘harry’ both disappeared at the same time?
Tricky
Guest
Wonder where the scribe is now?
Bobburra
Guest
Just how lucky can Buckley be? Waiting for all the comments after the first up loss and all the "get rid of Buckley" comments ( which I think should happen, Buckley going that is) along comes Steve Smith & the Australian cricket team to take the blow torch away from Collingwood & Buckley for some time to come. Interesting times in sport in Victoria & Australia at the moment.
Gungadin
Guest
Hubris, thy name is Eddie. Bill the Bagman could do better than Buckley.
anon
Roar Pro
Hawthorn look top 8 based on this performance. Given this is an even competition, they're potentially knocking on the top 4 with a raft of results that go their way. This is a well drilled unit that lacks star power, but play with such cohesion.
peter chrisp
Guest
We are a joke & we will improve?
Dan in Devon
Guest
Needless to say Collingwood look like they have gone backwards. The forward line? Moving Darcy Moore to the backline? Poor disposal? And the same gameplan which gifts easy goals to the opposition whne there is a turnover. The problem at the heart of it all is a gameplanthat is innatey flawed. The chip kick to release pressure at the contest - forget that. Players running to position while Hawthorn players routinely run to space. This is not rugby or fottball where there is an offisde rule. Rather than shifting players around, Buckley needs to rethink his gameplan. Reid to the forward line is a good move but Cox seems hopelessly out of his depth. Moore should go to full forward and Reid should push up like Hird did in the old days. Treloar should be instructed to kick long to Moore and create a contest for the ball in the forward 50. Then the small forwards like Eliot and Fasolo could be brought into play.
Aligee
Guest
Keep doing the same thing, you usually get the same result. I actually stated it when Buckley got the job, looks like a coach, talks like a coach, but does he actually coach like one, i wouldn't know as i am a long way on the periphery, but it seems to me Collingwood has wasted at least 3 years on Buckley.
Pieman
Guest
As i wrote last year and the year before etc etc etc Mr ed little nathan and even the no spine board all have to go Along with there egos when that happens the pies might have a chance.. ashame Stuart Dew was overlooked in this amazing review.. how is chris mayne going. Hope he doesnt ruin Collingwoods chances of a flag again! The usual tale Hawthorn by 6 goals.....what a pathetic joke
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the blog and stick with the Roar tomorrow for the remaining games in the round.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full Time It is over in Melbourne and the Hawks have done a job on the Pies to start their season in impressive fashion.
Hawthorn: 15.11 (101) Collingwood: 9.13 (67)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
1:30 - Collingwood behind.
Hawthorn: 15.11 (101) Collingwood: 9.13 (67)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
2:42 - Collingwood caught holding the ball right in front of their own goal.........Breust converts and things are getting ugly for the Pies.
Hawthorn: 15.11 (101) Collingwood: 9.12 (66)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
3:44 - Roughead marks and converts to put the game beyond doubt.
Hawthorn: 14.11 (95) Collingwood: 9.12 (66)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
4:57 - Fifty metre penalty for the Hawks and the simple shot is missed from point blank range.
Hawthorn: 13.11 (89) Collingwood: 9.12 (66)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
6:14 - Things getting scrappy late in the game. Behind Collingwood.
Hawthorn: 13.10 (88) Collingwood: 9.12 (66)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
7:28 - Josh Thomas with the set shot for goal.............behind.
Hawthorn: 13.10 (88) Collingwood: 9.11 (65)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
8:43 - Rioli with a set shot.......behind.
Hawthorn: 13.10 (88) Collingwood: 9.10 (64)