Hawthorn stun against the Adelaide Crows

HAWTHORN have continued a crazy 2017 season, following a stunning performance against the Adelaide Crows.

The Hawks players sing the club song after during the round 14 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and Hawthorn.

A month ago it was all doom and gloom for Hawthorn fans, as their side sat slumped towards the bottom of the AFL ladder.

But AFL legend Paul Roos says the Hawks’ stunning 14.12 (96) to 12.10 (82) win over top of the ladder Adelaide Crows, shows that the future is bright for the club.

“I haven’t seen them play this good, this year,” Roos told Fox Footy. “This is the best they’ve played by an absolute mile. They were really good around the contest, their pressure was really good.

“You could just sense they were starting to get a lot of confidence and had a spread of players.

“I don’t think anyone really thought they were going to make the eight, but this is a game changer for me. If they can get some real confidence out of this, I haven’t seen them play this well all year.”

Ricky Henderson under pressure from Hugh Greenwood. Picture Sarah Reed

Fellow Fox Footy commentator Johnathan Brown said the introduction of the Hawks’ experienced players made all the difference. The senior players giving the side self belief against one of the AFL premiership favourites in the Crows.

“You can’t underestimate the Hawthorn veterans back in the side,” Brown said. “They’ve played in so many big games over their career, they just know how to handle those pressure situations.

“That guidance to the younger fellas, it’s gradually going to catch on. That’s why they’ve been able to perform.”

Ball magnet Tom Mitchell inspired Hawthorn to the upset 14-point victory in Adelaide. Mitchell collected 38 disposals and kicked a clutch goal.

Emerging star Ryan Burton, Shaun Burgoyne, Paul Puopolo, ex-Crow Rickey Henderson and Tim O’Brien kicked two goals each for the unfancied Hawks. Adelaide (nine wins, four losses) blew a chance to consolidate at the top of the table — they led in the last quarter but couldn’t close the deal.

Instead, Hawthorn’s Puopolo, Adelaide discard Henderson and the influential Burgoyne kicked the last goals of the game for a stirring win for the visitors.

Henderson (30 disposals) was prominent in Hawthorn’s fifth win, with ball-winner Mitchell’s midfield colleagues Burgoyne (26 disposals) and Liam Shiels (21 touches) also busy.

Ryan Burton of the Hawks celebrates a goal with team mates.

They helped to stifle a Crows side overly reliant on brothers Matt and Brad Crouch, who had 64 disposals between them.

Rory Atkins (28 possessions), linkman Tom Lynch and Rory Laird (28 disposals) battled gamely while Josh Jenkins kicked three goals.

But the Crows were on the back foot from the start — Hawk stalwarts Burgoyne and Jarryd Roughead goaled inside four minutes.

Adelaide, before a 45,312-strong home crowd, settled and drew level by quarter time, 4.2 apiece.

The Crows’ vaunted attack found fluency in the second stanza, with keys Taylor Walker and Jenkins kicking two majors each.

Their scoring helped Adelaide craft an 18-point halftime advantage, and the ladder leaders appeared in control.

But the plucky Hawks rallied after the break, booting three consecutive goals — the last two were on-the-run efforts by Burton, giving the visitors a two-point lead.

Jake Lever of the Crows handballs as he is tackled by Ryan Schoenmakers.

Adelaide’s Hugh Greenwood, a former NBL player turning in his best AFL game, replied as the Crows went five points ahead at three-quarter time.

But new Hawk Henderson, against his former club, and the influential Mitchell goaled before Andy Otten struck back for the Crows.

After a tense scrap of behinds, Hawthorn veteran Puopolo converted for a seven- point break before Henderson and Burgoyne struck the sealers.

Isn't it amazing what the inclusion of 792 games of experience can do to a team. Hawks a different side tonight #AFLCrowsHawks

— Campbell brown (@Browndogg_30x) June 22, 2017

Loved the Hawks fighting spirit tonight #AFLCrowsHawks #happyteam

— Shane Crawford (@SCrawf9) June 22, 2017

Just goes to show. Never write off legends. Never write off Alistair Clarkson. At your peril. #AFLCrowsHawks

— Gillian OShaughnessy (@GilloArvos) June 22, 2017

W — AAP

Originally published as Hawthorn stun against the Adelaide Crows