A final-quarter burst from Hawthorn gave the Hawks an upset four-point victory over an out-of-sorts Collingwood last night at the MCG.
The match was a dour, error-riddled arm wrestle for the most part but after Hawthorn dominated large chunks of the game without getting reward, the weight of numbers, particularly the inside 50s, ultimately overwhelmed Collingwood as the Hawks finally got their noses in front for the first time in the final quarter and never looked back.
Mitchell Lewis celebrates a vital last-quarter goal against Collingwood on Friday night.Credit:AAP
Will Hoskin-Elliott gave Collingwood a game-high 18-point lead early in the final quarter, but after only managing four goals to that point of the game, the Hawks lifted themselves off the canvas to bang home five of the last seven goals, including a pair to Oliver Hanrahan, to snatch a gritty 9.13 (67) to 9.9 (63) victory and celebrate Luke Breust and Ben McEvoys 200th games in style.
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The Hawks dominated the inside-50 count all night, but their lack of scoring potency was again highlighted in the first three quarters, as they only managed to take a handful of marks in their attacking zone.
Collingwood were more efficient, especially in the first quarter when they kicked four goals straight from just five forward entries compared to Hawthorns 1.5 from 18, to mitigate the fact that they were getting beaten around the ball once again as well as in general play.
However, the Hawks, led by the brilliant James Sicily in defence, kept at it and were ultimately able to break the dam walls.
Collingwoods concerning form slump has continued for a third week.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is under no illusions about the Magpies' performances of late.Credit:AAP
Worryingly, they werent able to respond a week after suffering their worst loss in three seasons – against North Melbourne, after which coach Nathan Buckley all but accused them of being soft – and two weeks after producing what Buckley described as one of their worst performances for the year against the Bulldogs.
The win snapped the Hawks four-game losing streak and puts the Magpies in danger of slipping to fourth this week. The Hawks have beaten Collingwood 12 times in their past 13 meetings and the result placed them within a game of the top eight heading into this weekend.
SUPER SICILY
If ever there was any debate as to which end of the ground Sicily should play his footy, it was surely put to bed last night as he put in a tremendous performance in defence.
He owned the airways, helping keep the likes of Mason Cox and Brody Mihocek quiet, while his skills and kicking efficiency stood out in what was a dour struggle of a contest. He was experimented with up forward for a couple of weeks, but down back is where he does his best stuff.
GUNSTON GAFFE
Late in the first quarter, Jack Gunston had the goal face at his mercy but instead of soccering through the easy goal from the sRead More – Source
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