Hawthorn have locked in a top four spot with a win over Melbourne Demons in Cairns

Hawthorn have all but locked in a top two spot after their six point win over the Melbourne Demons on Thursday night at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: The Hawks pose for a selfie after winning the round nine AFLW match between Hawthorn Hawks and Narrm (Melbourne Demons) at Cazaly's Stadium, on October 24, 2024, in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

Hawthorn have all but locked in a top two spot after their six point win over the Melbourne Demons on Thursday night at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns.

The Hawks jumped to the top of the ladder, half a win ahead of North Melbourne who play third placed Adelaide Crows on Friday night.

In a scrappy contest that produced just the one goal after half time, Hawks coach Daniel Webster said he was pleased with his team’s fight to hold on.

“It was obviously tough and the longer it went on, the sweater and slippier it got and it made it hard when so many players are getting fatigued,” Webster said.

“But to grind out a win against a quality opposition I thought for us was massive, really strong performance, really gritty performance.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Kaitlyn Ashmore of the Hawks kicks during the round nine AFLW match between Hawthorn Hawks and Narrm (Melbourne Demons) at Cazaly's Stadium, on October 24, 2024, in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

“I think from an effort standpoint I thought we really got on top especially in the second and third quarter and our execution and decision at times let us down.

“Then we couldn’t impact on the scoreboard and we left them within a chance and they got that goal in the third out the back and it made it really hard.

“But to fight it out the way we did was really good because I think both teams in the last quarter were just off their legs and it was a big scrap in the end.”

Hawks’ Mattea Breed produced two massive highlights in the third quarter with a run down tackle and then 60 seconds later produced a Mark of the Year potential grab in front of 2,602 Cairns supporters.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Eliza West of the Hawks prepares to kick under pressure during the round nine AFLW match between Hawthorn Hawks and Narrm (Melbourne Demons) at Cazaly's Stadium, on October 24, 2024, in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

The Hawks now look to refresh after a 10 day break before they challenge fifth placed Richmond on Sunday November 3.

Webster said it is a tough but a great challenge to finish the season.

“It is going to be a really strong contest and that’s what you want at this time of the year, you want to play really good sides heading into finals,” Webster said.

“That is the type of game it is going to be, regardless of conditions it’s generally more contested and high pressure.

“So the more opportunity and exposure you can get to that, the better it is.

“We have a lot of players who haven’t been exposed to that before so these are big learnings for us and I just can’t wait for it.”

For Melbourne it leaves their finals chances in the hands of the ‘footy gods’ according to coach Mick Stinear.

The Demons sit ninth, equal with Port Adelaide and Essendon and will take on Collingwood next weekend for a chance at a top eight spot.

But they will require the Power to drop games against Gold Coast (17th) and GWS (16th) or the Bombers to lose to Richmond (5th) and Carlton (14th).

“Shattered at the loss, obviously we came up here to get the win and get the four points but proud of the group for how they fought the game out,” Stinear said.

“Four weeks ago we were down and out and we put our heads down and worked really hard.

“Proud of what we produced tonight but makes things hard for our finals chances.

“But we’re not going anywhere, we’re going to keep working and evolving, we got a good young group to play tonight and take some opportunities and finish off as strong as we possibly can.

“They (Collingwood) will want to finish strong, they are a proud club and we are expecting a fierce contest.

“They will want to finish their season with some momentum going into next year, we won’t be taking that for granted.

“But we are hurting off the back of this loss and hopefully Kate Hore returns to the team next week and we can finish strong and put ourselves in a good position.”

Hawthorn 2.0 3.2 3.5 3.5 (23)

Melbourne 1.0 1.1 2.2 2.5 (17)

LATE CHANGES

Hawthorn: NIL

Melbourne: Kate Hore (quad) and Gabby Colvin (concussion) replaced in Melbourne’s selected side by Saraid Taylor and Lily Johnson.

Injuries

Hawthorn: NIL

Melbourne: Sinead Goldrick (concussion)

Jake Garland’s best

Hawthorn: West, Fleming, Bates, Stephenson, Lucas-Rodd

Melbourne: McNamara, B.Mackin, Goldrick, Hanks

UMPIRES Devenish, Lyon, Mitchell

Crowd 2602

Originally published as Hawthorn have locked in a top four spot with a win over Melbourne Demons in Cairns