Written by Rhys Knight & Jake Smith
Well, with a tinge of disappointment that the result didn’t fall the Hawks way, there was a lot of positives to be taken out of the game for us at Talking Hawks HQ. So, how did each player perform?
Tom Mitchell – No.1 for disposals (36), tackles (eight), handballs (18), score involvements (ten), equal second for kicks (18) and second for metres gained (447). Was dominant on the day and add in 29 pressure acts, was a very good day for a bloke the media thinks is getting traded.
Jarman Impey – Had an insane 145 metres gained in the opening quarter, finished with 409 (fourth), took an equal team high ten marks, had five intercepts, four inside 50’s, three rebounds and looked like the Jars of old down at half back.
Ben McEvoy – The skipper wasn’t as productive as he was against the Swans but Sam Draper took the Hawks’ ruckmen for a ride on Sunday. Did lay four tackles amongst 13 disposals and had 26 hitouts but when the clearance count was 29-42, does it mean much?
Sam Frost – Kept Cale Hooker almost invisible for most of the game did Frosty and although he didn’t have a huge impact (11 touches) with the ball, Hooker didn’t score, only touched it nine times and took one mark. Big tick for that and add in half a dozen intercepts and marks, Frosty deserves his kudos.
Shaun Burgoyne – Silk is getting to his 400th and quiet games won’t do anything to tarnish his brilliant reputation but even the most optimistic Hawk fans can see the great man showing his age a touch. Still used the ball okay but just the nine touches, but his tackling was as good as ever.
Jaeger O’Meara – Fighting with Titch for the best Hawk on the ground, Jaeger came to life the longer the game went on. Started the game with eight touches and had 19 in the second half, JOM had 31, took six grabs, laid five tackles, had six clearances and six score involvements. What a year he’s having.
Will Day – Had the 18 touches and another game under his belt in 2021 but was exposed defensively by Jake Stringer who proved to be the match winner. The goal at half time was caused by Day’s inability to impact the contest and leaving Stringer free and the amazing goal Stringer kicked in the last was by Day not staying goal side of him at the ball-up. Will be better for the run and had 373 metres gained from his dozen and a half touches and took seven marks.
Jack Scrimshaw – Had a moment or two he’d love back but Scrimma is just evolving in front of fans’ eyes. Pound for pound, he could be the best marker of the footy the Hawks have got, got himself 23 disposals with an equal team high ten marks, had eleven intercepts, four score involvements and went at 74% efficiency. Smithy was right to keep an eye on him.
Blake Hardwick – This man is a genuine star and proved it once again on Sunday. Was the only Hawk to actually tackle Stringer it seemed, made good decisions with his 21 touches (86% efficiency), had half a dozen rebounds and marks, five intercepts, three inside 50’s and 447 metres gained, tied with Titch.
Lachie Bramble – Only the one disposal in the last 42 minutes of the match which saw him seem to fade out of the contest but his seven touch (at 86% efficiency) first half was pleasing. Took five marks, had 13 pressure acts, four score involvements and a whopping 275 metres gained for single digit disposals.
Daniel Howe – Was very good last week and backed it up with another solid performance. Got caught with the ball a couple of times but he covered the ground beautifully. 23 disposals with an equal team high ten marks, went at 83% which is all the more impressive given he had 16 kicks. Rounded out the top five for metres gained with 395. Huge tick for his last fortnight.
Jonathan Ceglar – As with the Ben McEvoy analysis, Ceglar was dominated by Sam Draper around the ground and wasn’t a presence up forward. Just the eleven hitouts and no clearances which didn’t flatter him, nor the 54% efficiency. His ten contested possessions did show his want to be around the contest but wasn’t at the level as he was last week.
Chad Wingard – Missed a couple he’d normally kick but 1.2 from 22 disposals but eight were contested, had eight score involvements, had three inside 50’s and played well but the flopping for free kicks is getting a touch tedious and he dropped a sitter at centre half back that resulted in a Jake Stringer goal. Not his best but wasn’t near the worst either.
Tom Phillips – Had his moments and with a 77% disposal efficiency, used it well and got himself three clearances. Flip struggled to stay in the game though with just the 13 touches and questions can be asked on whether he’s a permanent fixture for the best 22.
Luke Breust – Punky was one of the two most dangerous forwards for the Hawks on Sunday. He kicked 3.1 from 14 disposals, laid five tackles, had 13 pressure acts, five inside 50’s, took four marks, had eight score involvements, nine contested possessions and had 266 metres gained, elite for a forward.
Tim O’Brien – Another ‘almost’ day for TOB as even the Fox Footy commentators were lamenting his marking ability, especially early. However, he did take four grabs but missed a crucial set shot. Had four score involvements, five inside 50’s and 290 metres gained.
James Cousins – Could find the footy blindfolded, could Cuz and when he was on the park (72% game time, less than three quarters), he had 21 touches, ten contested possessions, five score involvements, five inside 50’s, laid four tackles and 309 metres gained. Always has an impact but is still the Hawks fourth preferred midfielder.
Liam Shiels – Couldn’t decide if he was tagging Zach Merrett or winning the footy but for the first half, he didn’t really do either. Only had the dozen disposals and four tackles but on the positive side, went at 92% efficiency and had five score involvements.
Changkuoth Jiath – Only the six kicks amongst 19 disposals for CJ but was a lot better than the numbers suggested, especially early on, with signature dashes coming in the first half. Hurt his hamstring it seemed on two occasions so every Hawk fan has their fingers crossed that he is okay.
Jacob Koschitzke – Seven disposals sounds quiet but five scoring shots is a huge win. Another win for Kosi was how he made in form Jayden Laverde and at times Mason Redman look inept in their positions. Took four marks, laid three tackles and kicked 3.2. How do you not love this kid?
Dylan Moore – Was one of his quieter games of the year with just the nine touches and three tackles but took a very mature approach in kicking a goal to keep the Hawks in it. Had seven score involvements, 13 pressure acts and a couple of intercept possessions, both in the attacking half.
Jai Newcombe – A quieter day for Duke with six disposals and three tackles but used the ball with precision by foot. 19 pressure acts was pleasing but a little bit of second game blues did kick in.
