Hawthorn snatch top-four finish and double chance with comeback win over Sydney at the SCG
HAWTHORN just keeps on keeping on. The Hawks have a finals double chance for the seventh time in eight years after coming from behind to continue Sydney’s horror homeground record.
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PERHAPS ScoMo should call Clarko.
Australia’s sixth Prime Minister in 11 years might benefit from a tour of Hawthorn’s headquarters.
Success and stability are like Siamese twins and while the Hawks are overflowing with both, the Liberal Party appears to be lacking.
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Morrison has time. The Waverley football department will be buzzing for at least another three weeks, as Hawthorn secured its seventh double-chance in eight seasons.
It looked improbable. As Sydney captain Josh Kennedy dobbed a 55m goal to spear his team 26 points in front during the second quarter, coach Alastair Clarkson’s midfield couldn’t place hands on the Sherrin.
Six Hawks failed to register a disposal in the second term, including All-Australian prospect Jack Gunston.
The stakes at the SCG were high. For one team, finals would take flight from a top-four perch.
What would Clarko do? He moved Gunston to Dan Hannebery’s wing and instructed Hawthorn’s forwards to line up in a bizarre straight line.
In tennis parlance, it was like the ‘Woody’s I’ formation. Shaun Burgoyne then walked to the centre circle and suddenly he and Jarman Impey escaped Sydney’s claustrophobic midfield cage.
They pumped space into a previously shrunken SCG. Tom Mitchell wouldn’t have needed a bar of soap at the half-time basin. Early in the third term, Mitchell’s hands must’ve been filthy as he slipped George Hewett’s leash to pick up nine disposals for the quarter.
Suddenly, Hawthorn’s intensity started to match the stakes and it eventually booted 10 of the final 14 goals to stun the biggest SCG crowd in 2018.
Clarkson said on Friday that Sydney boasted the AFL’s best backline of the past decade, and it looked like it for much of the night.
The combination of Aliir Aliir’s bounce, Dane Rampe’s strength and the impassable Heath Grundy made life tough for Gunston, Jarryd Roughead and Paul Puopolo in the first half.
At half-time captain Roughead was stranded on one disposal and was the butt of jokes from the Triple M radio box.
“Roughy, the footy is yellow, and it’s made of leather,” the Sydney-centric callers reminded him.
In reality, this was a middle-rung team launching into the top four as it was guided by the No.1 coach.
Fancy a team featuring Teia Miles, Conor Nash, Harry Morrison, Kaiden Brand and David Mirra playing deep in September.
Then again, how important was Morrison in the final quarter? The cousin of Tom Rockliff coolly slotted a crucial goal and then laid a desperate tackle to lock the ball inside forward 50m.
Nash burst past Aliir to win a one-one-one and knock the ball to Roughead, who set up Luke Breust for the match-winner.
How do you think third-gamer Conor Nash felt opposed to those warriors?
The last quarter whet the appetite for September nicely. With Buddy in the stands, Tom McCartin – the youngest player in the AFL – doubled Sydney’s lead in the first minute.
Then Puopolo dribbled through an instant reply and Roughead levelled the scores.
It was as predictable as a sunrise. Ricky Henderson – the most unlikely man – then put Hawthorn in front as the final quarter ticked into red time.
These two heavyweights have now played five consecutive epics, decided by a measly 34 points.
It is 4-1 Hawthorn’s way, and Saturday night was the biggest.
Clarkson often links success and stability. Hawthorn’s hiccups early last season coincided with a transition period operating under a new captain, football manager, chief executive and president.
Roughead has now played under six Prime Ministers and one coach. Will he get to five flags?
BEST
Hawthorn: L.Shiels, B.McEvoy, S.Burgoyne, T.Mitchell, J.Worpel, H.Morrison, J.Impey, L.Breust, J.Roughead
Sydney: J.Kennedy, J.Lloyd, H.Grundy, G.Hewett, I.Heeney, D.Rampe, T.Papley
VOTES
3. Liam Shiels (Haw)
2. Ben McEvoy (Haw)
1. Josh Kennedy (Syd)
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