Hawthorn clinch thrilling upset victory over Brisbane Lions in Launceston

Hawthorn have clinched a thrilling upset victory over the Lions in Launceston, but most fans were talking about the officiating.

Dylan Moore of the Hawks celebrates a goal with Tom Mitchell. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Hawthorn have clinched a thrilling upset victory over the Brisbane Lions in Launceston, with both sides surpassing 100 points in a high-scoring contest at University of Tasmania Stadium.

The lead was exchanged nine times on Sunday afternoon, including on five occasions during the final term, with neither team ahead by more than six points at the completion of any quarter.

Two late goals sent a scare through the Hawthorn camp, but Sam Mitchell’s men held their nerve to claim a nailbiting 18.9 (117) to 17.10 (112) win, breaking a four-game losing streak.

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It was the first time both sides had scored 100 points at York Park since 2008.

“Under Sam Mitchell, that’s Hawthorn’s best win yet,” AFL Nation commentator Sam Hargreaves said.

“There were four lead changes in the final term, but Hawthorn held them out.

“What an incredible game that was.”

The last time an AFL side lost with more than 112 points to their name was four years ago, Melbourne’s Round 15 defeat to St Kilda.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn remains the only AFL team Brisbane has not defeated since 2020.

Keidean Coleman of the Lions is tackled. Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images

But despite the outcome, most footy fans were focused on the absurdly large number of free kicks, with a total of 63 paid during the Round 20 fixture — the most in any AFL match since 2012.

Lions midfielder Lachie Neale was pinged for some mild pushing and shoving with an opponent, while Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell suffered the same fate for a similar misdemeanour soon after.

Richmond great Matthew Richardson called it “outrageous”, while Channel 10 reporter Stephen Quartermain described it as “terrible”.

Most free kicks in an AFL match since 2000

69 — Sydney vs Port Adelaide (R2, 2008)

65 — Hawthorn vs Geelong (R1, 2009)

64 — West Coast vs Geelong (R20, 2012)

63 — Hawthorn vs Brisbane (R10, 2022)

63 — Richmond vs Western Bulldogs (R3, 2013)

Are 63 free kicks in a game too many? Asking for a friend.. some of the worst free kicks you will see#AFLHawksLions

— Tom Rockliff (@rockwiz38) May 22, 2022

That free against Neale was an absolute joke. Been some seriously embarrassing umpiring moments this weekend #AFLHawksLions

— Ronny Lerner (@RonnyLerner) May 22, 2022

However, not everyone was upset with the umpiring in Launceston. Channel 7 presenter Tim Lane tweeted: “Isn’t it funny. More free kicks are being paid and we’re seeing great footy. If the laws aren’t applied the game grinds down. Yes, there were some poor decisions today as there are on any day, but ask yourself what sort of game it was. Answer: a bloody ripper!”

Hawthorn forward Mitch Lewis kicked a game-high four goals, while Mitchell dominated the midfield with 36 disposals and seven tackles to his name.

The Hawks will next face the Gold Coast Suns at Darwin’s TIO Stadium on Saturday evening, with the first bounce scheduled for 7.40pm AEST.

Originally published as Hawthorn clinch thrilling upset victory over Brisbane Lions in Launceston