Hawthorn has defeated Essendon by four points at the MCG in one of the games of the year.
It promised everything, with the season on the line for the Dons and a potential top four position still on the cards for the Hawks. Put simply, it turned into a classic.
In a clash of styles, as the Bombers looked to use their run and the Hawks reliant on their marking game to make inroads, momentum would play a key role.
Both teams had good periods where they were able to assert ascendancy yet it was the Hawks who matched everything the Bombers threw at them and managed to find a way to remain calm in the tight moments.
The Bombers jumped the Hawks in the first quarter and potted three early goals before Hawthorn ground their way into the contest and clawed back within two points at the first change.
The second term was a mirror image although this time the late run of the Hawks saw them take an eleven point lead into the long break.
The second half seesawed and fluctuated and the Bombers outscored the Hawks. In fact they kicked nine goals to seven. However, a few misses and rushed behinds proved to be the numerical difference.
With around six minutes remaining and a seventeen point lead, the Hawks looked to have things under control before a chaotic finish brought three late goals for the Bombers and a chance to score from the centre bounce with around fifteen seconds remaining in the game.
It wasn’t to be and the Hawks move into the top three for now, while Essendon may have just said goodbye to season 2019.
Jack Gunston was brilliant for the Hawks with five goals and Ben Stratton was a rock in defence. Tom Mitchell had twenty-nine possessions at half time and was as effective as always.
The Bombers would be impressed with Jack Stringer’s game and Zach Merrett played an epic match, accumulating possessions right across the park.
It is sad that the Bombers probably won’t play finals this season, on a performance like today, they could really have done some damage.
The Hawks… well they are just the Hawks. As professional as ever and they must be now considered a threat to sneak into the top four and make a real impact in September.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Lol what was wrong with the second call? Colyer gathered the ball without hesitating and played on. It's not a 'gift' if it's the right call. Let's not mention the goal review that went back to umpire's call despite cameras showing the ball bouncing off the side of the Hawthorn player's knee. Overall the umpiring wasn't bad, at least in comparison to the low bar that's been set lately.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
2 advantages call that gifted the Dons 2 goals
Old Pete
Guest
I've always had problems with the advantage rule and how it is umpired;the one in this game with Worpel is just one of the worst I have seen. I know that the AFL wants a fast,up tempo game; but too often,especially when players aren't always certain of whose free kick it is whilst being concerned about possible 50 metre penalties as well,it leads to outcomes which are plain silly in the disproportionate advantage gained. Simple solution-the player who wins the free always takes it in the first instance,and behind the relevant mark. Two other things that stood out in what was still an excellent and skilful encounter-the rise and rise of more incorrect disposals (mainly handballs that weren't) and the increasing number of short kicks which were way less than 15 metres-both teams offended,but to my impartial eye,the Bombers especially so in the first half,as if it were by design. I'm not sure what the answer to this is,it's tough for the Umpires to police this exactly and there will always be errors,but endless 10 metre kicks to unmanned teammates is a boring spectacle.
anon
Roar Pro
9/10 games you're not going to get those finger tipped goals and questionable advantage calls. I look at who controlled general play, who played the match on their terms. That's the better team. Simple concept.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Drugs. Hawthorn won the free kick count 17-11. It's no longer 'free kick Hawthorn' because the new tactic is to just not pay frees to the opposition. In all seriousness though, it was better umpiring all up than most games I've watched this season. The Hawks had the advantage call and Frawley's deliberate out of bounds that went against them, but there were a few clear EFC free kicks that didn't get paid for holding the ball or holding the man. Across a whole match though, half a dozen questionable calls is better than what we've been getting.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
He got exposed as a fraud.
Dean
Guest
Whatever happened to Halfwit Harry? Is he not handling the harsh truth about Essendon been knocked out of finals contention?
JR
Guest
Dont know what game you watched but the number of non calls that favored hawthorn in the last quarter was ridiculous. Apart from 1 bad advantage call, the umpires missed the deliberate trip on stringer in the goalsquare, the Mitchell deliberate handball out of bounds in Essendons forward 50, the lack of 50m penalty for kicking the ball away after a free in the middle, numerous holding the man decisions and I can go on. The only player who received any protection is the AFL darling Mitchell who if anyone breathed on would get a free.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Reckon you’re being a bit rough on the Dons, Rissole. I think the match came down to a few key moments and contests that the Hawks won. Their stars were just slightly cleaner and more clinical when it mattered most. Breust was well held but still found a way to jag three goals. Gunston made the most of his first half mis-match with Hooker (who should have been on Roughead) when the ball hit the deck. Jaeger and Tom were just super clean with their hands and Stratton read the ball beautifully. It looked like a team with a wealth of finals experience/polish edging out a team that lacks a bit of it.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
To be fair how many teams have been written off this year and are in it 'balls deep still? It's also fair to say there's still time for it to all go pear shaped for 6 or 7 teams too, Hawthorn included.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Hahaha, not from where I sat. Also good to see anon continuing living in the "if" fantasy world.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
#freekickhawthornmyth
Rissole
Guest
I wish Jaeger played for us. Supremely talented. I reckon he will dominate the comp next year. Hawks too good today, probably should have won by more.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
hawks just doing it large - epic effort today the 2016 draft 'disaster' proving anything but. Titchell and JOM were enormous while Stratton and Gunston played like the 3 time premiership players they are. Worpel the cream on top of a 8 point win.
Jonas
Guest
Thu umpiring was worse than that...I feel that the umpires although not deliberately, subconsciously adjudicate against Hawthorn more often than not. Today was no different especially in the first half.
Rissole
Guest
Hawks midfield dominated the game and they defended with far more intent. The Bombers lost too many one on one contests and many players only seemed to run one way. Their worst effort for some time. The Bombers were sorely lacking a key forward with Brown and Stringer unable to nullify or win the high ball. Looking forward to Daniher coming back. Correct but unfortunate call on Goddard. I had been pointing out to my wife earlier how many players were overstepping in the game and it's just let go.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Fantastic win to the Hawks! All those people who wrote the Hawks off should be red faced with embarrassment.
anon
Roar Pro
If it wasn't for the finger tipped behinds and a couple of questionable advantage calls that resulted in Essendon goals the Hawks would have won comfortably. Hawthorn dropped their guard down at times which allowed Essendon to score consecutive goals. I felt like the 80% of the game was on Hawthorn's terms.