Ruthless Hawks destroy hapless West Coast as Eagles firm for spoon

West Coast firmed dramitically to finish with this year’s wooden spoon after the young Hawks showed no mercy at Launceston on Sunday.

Mitch Lewis of the Hawks booted six goals against West Coast on Sunday. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Hawthorn sent a statement they’re clearly the best side in the AFL’s struggling bottom three after ruthlessly disposing of an undermanned but insipid West Coast 22.10 (142) to 4.2 (26) at UTAS Stadium on Sunday.

In the battle of the bottom two sides on the ladder, with just one previous win apiece, the Hawks dominated from the outset to record a stirring 116-point win, their biggest-ever against the Eagles.

Hawthorn won the inside 50s 34-12 and 70-29 overall in the first half to set up a match-winning 46-point lead at the main break, and took the rare chance to keep their foot on the throat for their second win at Launceston this year.

The Eagles’ already almost unprecedented injury list only grew longer in a nightmare day for the club in the Apple Isle.

The heat on them will only intensify after their lack of pressure made it far too easy for the Hawks, particularly in the second half.

The Hawks kicked the last 12 goals of the game as the young Eagles folded meekly.

Hawthorn took 18 marks inside 50 and limited the Eagles to just one in possibly their most complete win under Sam Mitchell thus far.

EAGLES FIRM FOR HARLEY REID

The match was billed in some quarters as the ‘Harley Reid Cup’ - in reference to the projected number one draft pick - and he could be headed to Perth on Sunday’s evidence.

Missing a plethora of established and experienced stars the Eagles were atrocious and had no answer for a young and fleet-footed Hawthorn.

Fellow battlers North Melbourne were unlucky to go down to Sydney on Saturday, with only a late interchange blunder costing them victory against the Swans.

Meanwhile it’s difficult to see where West Coast’s next victory will come from. Their effort hasn’t been questioned in recent weeks, but what will be most disturbing for coach Adam Simpson is their pressure simply was non-existent for big patches of the game.

The Hawks were able to load attacking surges from half-back far too comfortably with easy chip kick and handball chains.

It was just the Hawks’ second win of the year, but only a late goal conceded against GWS and Adelaide cost them adding to that tally.

It’s easy to see the progression under coach Sam Mitchell and what they’re building towards. They should avoid the wooden spoon.

UNTIMELY INJURY FOR JONES

Jamaine Jones looked in terrific touch for West Coast before an ankle injury suffered in a legal tackle from Sam Butler in the second quarter ended his day early.

It was an untimely blow in Indigenous Round for the former Cat, and his absence only made it even tougher for the Eagles to launch any attacking raids.

Key forward Oscar Allen also limped off with a knee injury late, while Liam Duggan copped a knock to his neck.

The Eagles are already without key players like Jack Darling, Luke Shuey, Elliot Yeo, Jeremy McGovern, Nic Naitanui and Jamie Cripps.

The task is simply proving too big for their young brigade, who must be battling mentally to step up this point as much as physically.

The Hawks have a concern of their own. Key defender Sam Frost was placed on report for high contact on Connor West after the Eagle delivered a handball during the second quarter.

Ruckman Ned Reeves was also subbed out of the game in the third term, and had his ankle iced up on the bench.

Jamaine Jones of the Eagles is injured in a tackle from Sam Butler of the Hawks at UTAS Stadium on Sunday. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

LEWIS PROVIDES WELCOME CLASS

For the majority of this season the Hawks have been forced to rely on a ‘mosquito fleet’ up forward due to a lack of size, with key forwards either being injured or in and out of the side through form.

Lewis showed he’s arguably the Hawks’ most vital piece in their rebuild after he dominated the Eagles’ young defence in a six-goal haul.

Lewis missed the first six rounds as he recovered from a sprained ACL, and had booted four goals in three matches since his return.

But he took the opportunity to cash in against the hapless Eagles, also taking eight marks.

His return allows Hawthorn’s small forward to feast on the crumbs, as he generally gets the ball to ground if he doesn’t mark.

Fellow tall forward Jacob Koschitzke has been in and out of the AFL team but kicked two goals in the first half, while classy forward-mid Tyler Brockman showed his class with a clinical first quarter finish, and pass to Lewis which set up one of his goals.

WEDDLE PICK LOOKS SHREWD

It’s no secret the Hawks are looking to build through the draft, and they look to have found one in Josh Weddle.

In just his fourth AFL game after playing the previous three weeks, Weddle kicked two goals and racked up nine possessions in the first quarter to help Hawthorn build a big lead.

He was strong in the aerial contests with seven marks, and also had eight score involvements.

Will Day continued his strong transition to the midfield this year with 24 touches and five clearances, while hard-nosed youngster Jai Newcombe continued his recent strong form with 23 disposals.

James Worpel (26 disposals, eight clearaces) was also influential through the middle, further justifying the club’s decision to cut so drastically and blood youngsters this year.

Irishman Conor Nash continued his terrific progression this season with 30 touches, eight tackles and eight clearances, and was arguably best on ground.

HAWKS LOVE ‘LAUNNIE’

Hawthorn’s sole previous win this year came against the Kangaroos at UTAS Stadium in round three, and only a ridiculously good drop punt finish from the boundary by Darcy Fogarty in the dying stages cost them another win at Launceston against Adelaide in round six.

The wide expanses of the ground allows them to use their run and spread game to full advantage, and the Eagles simply couldn’t keep up with them at times.

Their last clash in Tasmania is against the red hot Western Bulldogs in round 22, which could have a major bearing on the makeup of the top eight.

HAWTHORN 7.1 11.4 14.8 22.10 (142) def WEST COAST 2.0 4.0 4.1 4.2 (26)

Goals: Hawthorn - Mitch Lewis 6, Luke Breust 3, Josh Weddle 2, Jacob Koschitzke 2, Cameron Mackenzie 2, Tyler Brockman 2, Dylan Moore, Sam Butler, James Worpel, Lachlan Bramble, Jai Newcombe; West Coast - Dom Sheed 2, Jamaine Jones, Oscar Allen

Best: Hawthorn - Conor Nash, Mitch Lewis, Cameron Mackenzie, Josh Weddle, James Sicily, Sam Frost; West Coast - Dom Sheed, Alex Witherden, Jack Petruccelle, Tim Kelly, Liam Duggan, Bailey Williams

Crowd: 9135

Votes: 3 Conor Nash, 2 Josh Weddle, 1 Mitch Lewis

Originally published as Ruthless Hawks destroy hapless West Coast as Eagles firm for spoon