AFL 2022: Hawthorn v St Kilda result and latest news
A St Kilda debutant had a car crash on the way to the MCG but Hawthorn’s day was a write-off as the Saints booted 22 goals. But Paddy Ryder could be in strife for a late bump.
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St Kilda has its mojo back.
The Saints looked every bit a top-four side as they slaughtered Hawthorn by 69 points at the MCG on Sunday.
Saints fans were treated to an attacking highlights package, finishing with the club’s highest score since 2016.
The Saints were keen to stamp their authority on the game physically, but ruckman Paddy Ryder will come under MRO scrutiny for making front-on contact with a late bump on Hawthorn intercept defender Will Day.
Day was substituted with concussion at halftime for Finn Maginness.
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Coach Brett Ratten revealed after the game that debutant Marcus Windhager overcame a pre-game car crash to take his place in the side.
Windhager pushed any jitters aside as he looked more than comfortable at the level, finishing with 15 touches, four tackles and a clearance.
Brett Ratten said despite the incident, the 18-year-old had acquitted himself admirably in his first outing, especially considering his lack of football in the past year.
“Marcus did a really good job,” Ratten said.
“He actually had a car accident this morning, so he was probably a little bit rattled and he’s come out and performed at a pretty good standard first up.
“His contested ball and his competitiveness was there, and his ability to run over the ground is pretty impressive for a young fella.”
Ratten joked he would offer Windhager a lift to next week’s game against Gold Coast and also heaped praise on Jade Gresham, attributing his brilliant start to the season to his work in the offseason and a mindset change 18 months ago.
“Jade has realised how much he loves the game and what it takes to make a top-line player play consistent footy,” he said.
“I think he’s done a brilliant job through the pre-season to hone in on the little things to make him better, and he’s really invested in himself to make himself the player he wants to be.”
It was the ease at which St Kilda broke through Hawthorn’s press – which had helped the Hawks start the season 2-1 with a percentage of 144 – that was the most impressive element of the win.
It was a dirty day for the Hawks who, after kicking the first two goals of the game in the opening 120 seconds, were never in it.
The free-flowing Saints made the Hawks’ defence look like Swiss cheese with all the holes they were finding inside 50, slamming on the next six goals all from different goalkickers.
Brad Hill started at half-forward and provided a crucial link between attack and defence, also kicking a goal, while Paddy Ryder, Max King and Tim Membrey provided the aerial threat needed to nullify Hawthorn’s intercept game, also kicking one goal each.
Had it not been for the Hawks’ efficiency going inside 50 – they kicked six scores from their first seven entries – the quarter-time margin of 16 points could’ve been much greater.
The Saints didn’t ease off the throttle in the second quarter, with each of its first term goal kickers, other than King, adding a second.
It was thanks to their efficiency both in turning inside-50s into scores, and their goalkicking.
St Kilda had just 11 inside-50s for the quarter but manufactured eight scores (6.2).
The Hawks worked their way into the game late in the quarter, but wayward kicking – three behinds in two minutes – kept the margin beyond six goals.
Jack Steele took over the third quarter, collecting 13 disposals as his side extended its lead to 45 points at the final break.
Membrey, Hill and Jade Gresham all added third goals during the quarter as the Saints continued to find ways through Hawthorn’s press and out the back.
King, who kicked four last-quarter goals against Richmond last week, had St Kilda fans on their feet when he kicked the first two of the final term.
From there it was Saints party as they heaped on the misery for the Hawks, kicking another five goals as they fired a warning shot across the bow of the AFL.
MOORE IN NO TIME
Dylan Moore gave Hawthorn a dream start with two goals in as many minutes.
The first came just 30 seconds into the game when the small forward put his head over the ball and was ridden into the ground just 15m from goal.
Just 90 seconds later the 22-year-old won a holding the ball decision when he wrapped up Ben Paton who was trying to get a kick away.
From 45m on the chalk of the boundary line Moore snapped to perfection, giving the Hawks the early jump.
EFFICIENT SAINTS
St Kilda had just 22 inside-50s in the first half but such was the polished ball movement it turned them into 15 scores.
Not only was St Kilda able to capitalise on its forward entries, its deadeye accuracy in front of goal kept the margin blowing out.
Eventually the Saints finished with 46 inside-50s for 32 scores.
LITTLE MAN, BIG IMPACT
If you were picking the All-Australian squad after round 4 Jack Sinclair would be a lock.
Like Caleb Daniel, the 27-year-old is diminutive in stature but his influence on games is monstrous – consider him St Kilda’s architect.
Once again everything good that was red, black and white flowed throw Sinclair as he finished with eight score involvements.
Not only is it his ability to create offence, but his intercept game is vital, and he had another eight on Sunday.
SCOREBOARD
HAWKS 3.3, 5.8, 7.11, 10.13 (73)
SAINTS 6.1, 12.3, 15.8, 22.10 (142)
MOTTERSHEAD’S BEST
Hawks: Jiath, Scrimshaw, Mitchell, Newcombe.
Saints: Sinclair, Steele, Hill, Crouch, Gresham, Membrey, Ross, King.
GOALS
Hawks: Lewis 3, Breust 3, Moore 2, Reeves, O’Meara.
Saints: Membrey 4, Gresham 4, Hill 4, King 4, Ryder 2, Butler 2, Steele, Long.
INJURIES
Hawks: Day (concussion). Saints: Nil.
Umpires: Power, Dalgleish, Mollison.
Crowd: 30,926 at the MCG
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
JAMES MOTTERSHEAD’S VOTES
3. J. Sinclair (St K)
2. J. Steele (St K)
1. B. Hill (St K)
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