Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell’s tactics slammed in Port loss

Hawthorn appeared certain winners on Sunday, but two footy greats believe some questionable tactics allowed Port to roar home.

Port Adelaide snatched a remarkable win over Hawthorn on Sunday and some AFL greats immediately turned the blowtorch on Hawks coach Sam Mitchell.

The Power trailed by as much as 41 points in the third quarter and appeared certain to end the day with an upset defeat, before roaring home in the final term for a stunning 11.14 (80) to 12.7 (79) victory.

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Still behind by 28 points entering the final quarter, the Power kicked four goals to nil in the final term in wet conditions, including two in the final 33 seconds, to record the most improbable comeback win.

Mitchell’s tactics were then swiftly questioned by premiership players David King and Dermot Brereton on Fox Footy, who felt the Hawks mentor went into defensive mode far too early.

Among the moves made, Blake Hardwick was sent down back in the final term despite kicking five goals over the opening three quarters, while another goal-kicker, Jack Ginnivan, was on the bench in the final minutes.

“He went into save the game mode way too early Sam Mitchell,” King began.

Port Adelaide triumph as Sam Mitchell can only watch. Photos: Getty Images/Fox Sports

“A lot of people talk highly about his coaching, I can’t recall a player kicking five goals in the first three quarters of a game and getting moved down back.

“You can throw straight at me Jack’s being managed, he’s coming off the field, (but) you’ve got a guy on fire (in Hardwick), he’s kicked five, he goes down back.

“So you’re telling the team ‘we’re going into save the game mode’. We’re going to put (midfielder Will) Day behind the ball, we’re going to chip it around.

“Twenty-five inside 50s to four in the last quarter (to Port Adelaide). They’ll be livid they lost that game the Hawks.

“Full credit to Port, they kept coming at them, but when you go into save the game mode for 20 minutes of footy, you give them a sniff.”

The game still appeared lost for the home side even after Willie Rioli earned a free kick and slotted the goal with just under 30 seconds left to make it a five-point game.

Then with 22 seconds remaining, Port won the clearance, Zak Butters kicked the ball deep into the forward 50m arc and some intense Power pressure allowed Darcy Byrne-Jones to soccer the ball through with eight seconds on the clock.

David King did not hold back in his assessment of Mitchell. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

The Port Adelaide players and the crowd went berserk as a dazed Mitchell was shown sitting in the coach’s box.

“He brings the house down and he brings Port Adelaide back from the clouds to claim the most extraordinary win,” Alister Nicholson screamed in commentary.

“Darcy Byrne-Jones has made a hero of himself and he’s broken Hawthorn hearts.

“The most incredible scenes at Adelaide Oval.”

Brereton particularly highlighted the decision with Day, who had 27 disposals and five clearances for the match.

“You saw in that final quarter, there was some footage showing the ball was about 70 metres out from Port Adelaide’s goal and Day is in the goalsquare by himself looking to quarterback the situation,” the Hawks champion said.

“He’s your best ball winner, he’s your smartest at clearance, so I think that is probably more (questionable) than the Hardwick one.”

King felt Hawthorn “invited” Port back into the game with their tactics.

“(Hawthorn) just couldn’t get their hands on the ball and when they did, they went into safe mode, they went wide and they lost too many contests,” he said.

“They invited Port Adelaide back into the game. They didn’t look like it for three quarters and they went bang, right between the eyes.”

Ken Hinkley and Jason Horne-Francis celebrate after the stunning comeback. Photos: Getty Images

Both felt the result seemed certain heading into the final change.

“At three-quarter time, this game was one-sided,” King said.

“Should’ve been done. Should’ve been done,” Brereton replied.

The 41-year-old Mitchell is in his third season as a senior coach, with the rebuilding club finishing 13th and 16th over his first two years at the helm.

The Hawks came into Sunday’s game with three wins in their past four games to climb up the ladder, but this result leaves them with a 3-7 record and sitting 15th.

“We can talk about player performance, we can talk about all sorts of things,” King said.

“But the mindset of the group for 20 minutes is defend.

“It’s not five minutes, it’s not when they’re within a goal or when the momentum had completely swung. I think they gave over momentum.

“I think that’s the decision Sam made at three-quarter time is you can have momentum, we’re going to give you another enemy, the scoreboard and the clock.

“And they just overran them. They’ve stole one here.”

Another ex-Hawk, Ben Dixon, also felt they needed to stick to the original game plan.

“The way they started the game is the way they should’ve finished the game,” he said bluntly.

“Landing the blows, taking on the moments.

“Sam, well, he was three from four, now he’s three from five.”

Originally published as Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell’s tactics slammed in Port loss