GWS Giants vs Hawthorn Hawks: AFL highlights, live scores, blog

The GWS Giants have promoted themselves to the top-eight after an 11 point win over the Hawthorn Hawks at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night. After an even first ten minutes, GWS took off scoring four unanswered goals including three from their returning ruckman Rory Lobb, who had missed the past two weeks with a broken back. It evened up in the second term, Hawthorn piled on four goals to the Giants’ one goal, eight behinds. At the main break the home side held a 13 point lead, but a quick start to Hawthorn in the second half cut the lead to one point, before GWS kicked away again to a 22 point margin at the final break. Paul Puopolo, Luke Breust and Ben McEvoy got Hawthorn going in the final term, with three unanswered goals, but settlers from Lachie Whitfield and Jonathon Patton sealed the win for the Giants. The Giants finished plus 55 in contested possessions, showing their dominance and class around the contest and winning clearances 51 to 28. GWS had their elite players performing well tonight; Callan Ward (32 disposals, 2 goals, 11 clearance), Stephen Coniglio (30 disposals, 1 goal) and Josh Kelly (29 disposals, 7 tackles) put in strong efforts. Tom Mitchell was on his own in the midfield for Hawthorn, racking up 50 disposals and laying 13 tackles, the Hawk did his Brownlow chances no harm with his individual performance. Up forward Luke Breust (three goals), Paul Puopolo (2), Jonathon Ceglar (2) and Jarryd Roughead (2) all contributed, but in defence Hawthorn often lacked structure. The loss of Shaun Burgoyne was clearly felt, as the Giants opened up their forward line and took some easy uncontested marks inside 50. Will Langford spent the last term on the bench for Hawthorn, suffering a finger injury earlier in the match. Jonathon Patton suffered a knock to the knee and Rory Lobb limped around with a sore ankle, but both finished the game fine. Next up for the Giants is a trip to Perth to take on the West Coast Eagles, who have suffered three straight losses and need a win to keep themselves in top four contention. While Hawthorn will take on the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

It was a good win in the end, 17 behinds is a bit concerning but 4 points and into the top 8 all that really matters.

Thanks for tuning in tonight everyone, I'll pop a match review up shortly. I'll be blogging again tomorrow for Essendon vs North Melbourne from 3:20pm AEST. The other two games tomorrow are Melbourne vs St Kilda at 1:10pm and Fremantle Dockers vs Brisbane Lions at 4:40pm AEST.

Thanks for tuning in!

A good contest to watch, great to see GWS put in solid performances over the past few weeks. They clearly have the players to cover Jeremy Cameron for the next five weeks as well. Thoughts on the game tonight?

Goals GWS Lobb 3, Ward 2, Patton, Coniglio, Hopper, Shiel, de Boer, Griffen, Himmelberg, Whitfield Hawthorn Breust 3, Puopolo 2, Ceglar 2, Roughead 2, Sicily, Smith, Henderson, McEvoy Disposals GWS Ward 32, Coniglio 30, Kelly 28 Hawthorn Mitchell 50, Smith 26, Sicily 24 Final score GWS 13.17 (95) Hawthorn 13.6 (84)

Q4 0' FULL TIME The Giants beat the Hawks by 11 points at Spotless Stadium and they move into the eight. GWS 95 Hawthorn 84

Q4 0' - GOAL HAWKS Sicily with a floater, but it's through a goal. GWS 95 Hawthorn 84

Q4 1' - BEHIND GIANTS Tomlinson with a set shot from a 50m penalty, hits the post with it though. GWS 95 Hawthorn 78