Star Hawthorn midfielder Tom Mitchell has broken the AFL’s game disposals record in the 34-point win over Collingwood at the MCG.
Hawks fans cheered late in the last quarter on Saturday night when Mitchell picked up a handball, giving him 54 disposals in the 15.11 (101) to 9.13 (67).
That broke the record jointly held by Gary Ablett jnr at Gold Coast and Greg Williams when he played for Sydney.
The Magpies stopped a blowout, with two goals apiece in the last quarter, but Hawthorn’s class stood out.
Collingwood have now lost their last three round-one games and the spotlight shines that bit brighter on coach Nathan Buckley, who was reappointed late last year.
In round nine last year, Mitchell had 50 possessions in the loss to Collingwood and Buckley questioned his impact on the game.
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson replied by saying Buckley’s observation was “pretty ballsy”.
On Saturday night, Mitchell was clearly best afield with 20 kicks, 34 handballs and 27 contested possessions.
The start of the game went according to Collingwood’s new plan for Darcy Moore, who they want to play in the back line.
He took a strong mark in defence and the Magpies quickly transitioned, with Ben Reid marking and kicking the first goal of the game.
But 35-year-old Hawks star Shaun Burgoyne was on fire early, quickly responding with their opener.
Hawks fans cheered at six minutes when Cyril Rioli came on for his first run after an interrupted pre-season and he had an immediate impact with his trademark forward-line pressure.
Rioli set up Burgoyne for his second goal and the Hawks led by that margin at quarter time.
A brilliant backward flick from Burgoyne gift-wrapped a goal for Jack Gunston early in the second term.
The Hawks suffered a major blow midway through the second term when Ryan Burton was forced from the field with an ankle injury.
The Hawks kicked the last three goals of the half and comfortably led by 27 points at the main break.
Mitchell had racked up a whopping 29 disposals and gained 491m.
The Magpies sent Steele Sidebottom to Mitchell for some of the third quarter, but the Hawks reigning best and fairest was still prominent.
Collingwood were missing several players through injury – Daniel Wells, Jordan De Goey, Jamie Elliott, Tyson Goldsack, Levi Greenwood and Alex Fasolo.
Once Hawthorn clicked into gear, the Magpies simply could not match their class.
Moore went forward in the last quarter and kicked a goal, but Collingwood’s forward set up again looked a problem.
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Collingwood led by a point with minutes to go, Kyle Langford had the chance to be the hero with a set shot, however, he missed, and we saw the first draw of the season.
