AFL round 7: All the news and updates from Hawthorn vs. West Coast Eagles
Hawthorn is back into the top four, but will be left licking their wounds after doing enough to get over the line against West Coast under the roof.
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It wasn’t pretty at the best of times but Hawthorn did enough against West Coast to move back into the top-four on the AFL ladder, winning by 50 points at Marvel Stadium.
But it has come at a cost with both Karl Amon and Jack Scrimshaw to miss next week’s match against Richmond with concussion.
Scrimshaw was subbed out in the second quarter with Amon spending the final quarter on the bench with the same injury.
It soured a contest where the Hawks controlled the match from start to finish.
Poor execution and an off-night with the kicking boots cost them a larger winning margin.
Intent on making amends for two losses in a row the Hawks dominated early in the first term with repeated entries in their forward 50 for the first 10 minutes of the contest.
Led by Hawks midfielder James Worpel, who had three clearances and six contested possessions early, the Hawks applied plenty of forward pressure to the opposition.
But the early pressure didn’t go on the scoreboard as the Hawks were wasteful, kicking 2.8, as the Eagles took their limited chances to stay in the contest by kicking two goals themselves.
Any chance the Eagles had in the contest was ended in the second term as the Hawks made amends, kicking seven goals to two, including two to Hawks forward Mabior Chol in two minutes, to open up a 35-point lead at the main break.
West Coast fought back in the third term, almost winning the quarter, by kicking three goals and keeping the margin within six goals at the final change.
Harley Reid, who had a tough first half, which included giving away multiple free kicks and having just six disposals, lifted in the second half, kicking one of those goals with a brilliant snap to give the Eagles some momentum in the contest.
He would add a second with a lovely running goal from 45 minutes out in the final term as he ended the second half with 13 disposals and two goals to show glimpses of his best.
The Eagles were able to keep the margin to a respectable level as Hawthorn cruised to the win with Hawthorn’s tall forwards Jack Gunston and Chol kicked seven goals between them.
HAWKS MISS CHANCE AT PERCENTAGE BOOST
The margin could have been much bigger for Hawthorn if the team wasn’t wasteful in the first quarter. The Hawks kicked 2.8 and most of the chances were there to be taken. The side could have easily been five goals up at quarter time but instead were only up by a goal. In a season where the ladder is going to be close, percentage is going to be vital. Especially when Hawthorn is already 20 or more per cent behind Gold Coast and Collingwood who are also in the top four.
MEEK ON TRACK FOR ALL AUSTRALIAN?
Max Gawn has a challenge on his hands this year to remain the All Australian ruckman as others look to take his mantle. One of them nipping at his heels is Lloyd Meek. The ruckman dominated the Eagles talls, winning 57 hit-outs and also winning a lot of the ball with 19 disposals. He’s now level with Jordan Sweet in the most hit-outs this season, is the only ruckman to kick five or more goals and is on par with Gawn in relation to hit-outs to advantage per game. If Hawthorn keep winning and become the top four team experts expect them to be then Meek will gain more attention from selectors.
DID GINNI DO ENOUGH?
Premiership winning small forward Jack Ginnivan returned after being dropped to the VFL ahead of Easter Monday’s clash against Geelong. He returned this week, in place of Luke Breust, and kicked two goals and had 17 disposals. This was a game where he should have cemented his spot in the team with a commanding performance, especially with the Hawks having plenty of shots on goal. He played well but didn’t have a breakout game, which would have made certain of his spot in the team. Time will tell if he did enough to keep his spot for next week.
Originally published as AFL round 7: All the news and updates from Hawthorn vs. West Coast Eagles
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