Written by Rhys Knight
Two in a row, can you believe it? The Hawks go to six and a half wins and jump up the ladder a spot which will have draft ramifications but that’s a November problem. The Hawks got contested ball about even, uncontested ball was +66 and and after a slow start in the midfield, went +6 in clearances. The real question is though; how did each player fare? Here is your player review for Round 21
Harry Morrison:
Was really solid in his return with 15 disposals and five inside 50’s and showed the polish that the Hawks were missing a touch but was a good contributor. Took four marks, had ten pressure acts and had three score involvements as well. Ball use dropped off a touch late but was to be expected first game back after a while out.
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Mitch Lewis:
Was the man we identified to look out for and after he kicked the Hawks’ first and first of the day, we were looking smug. Didn’t score after that but the competitiveness in his nine touches was really strong and worked his backside off. Took half a dozen marks and went at 89% efficiency.
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Tom Mitchell:
This man uses the Magpies as a personal stat booster and he was absolutely dominant, with 44 disposals, fourteen pressure acts, twelve score involvements, ten marks, eight clearances, seven inside 50’s, three tackles and three intercept possessions. Not for the first time, he is our best on ground and took the proverbial out of Collingwood.
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James Worpel:
Was subbed out with an ankle problem but his fend off was back in style and kicked a really classy goal. Had 13 disposals in just over a half of footy and had three score involvements. It’s a hard ranking but we liked what we saw.
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Ben McEvoy:
The skipper is having a really nice season and he and Ceglar really made Grundy’s influence look not as great as what it could have been. All nine of his disposals were effective, had five score involvements, three marks (two contested) and two clearances from 14 hit-outs is a tick. Kicked a good set shot too.
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Sam Frost:
Got the job on Jamie Elliott and kept him largely invisible. Made good runs, used the ball cautiously and precisely (85%) while taking seven marks and having five rebounds. This, dear Frosty, is what we love to see from you, great man.
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Shaun Burgoyne:
Silk’s class will never leave him and what a moment to see him kick his first snag of the season. Had 18 disposals at 94%, took ten marks, had four rebounds and two inside 50’s. No player ever has ever made more consistent and quality good decisions in their career.
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Jaeger O’Meara:
From being touted as one of the best juniors ever, to the ‘worst trade of all time’ and now, somehow, going under the radar? Was almost leading the PCM before missing a couple and has been excellent since. Had 27, kicked a goal, had 26 pressure acts (!), four marks and four score involvements. Gave away a few frees but it’s not a hangable offence.
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Conor Nash:
From maligned to magnificent and then the questions were asked if the Irishman can continue to be the bash and crash inside mid of last week? The answer was a resounding yes sir as he had 20 disposals, seven score involvements, five marks, five tackles, four clearances and kicked a lovely left foot goal. An unbelievable fortnight from the big mid.
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Ollie Hanrahan:
Didn’t get a lot of midfield time like he was getting at Box Hill and was quiet. Nine disposals and four score involvements at 77% was handy but wasn’t the output you’d be looking for when you come back into the senior side.
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Jack Scrimshaw:
This man is having a genuinely bonkers season and could do a Blake Hardwick in 2018 and shoot up the Peter Crimmins leaderboard. After 25 touches last week, he had 26, a dozen marks, six score involvements, three inside 50’s and went at 88% efficiency. That back six for the next decade is frightening and he’s a key cog.
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Blake Hardwick:
After shutting down Lincoln McCarthy last week, he was let go on Sunday and produced another eye catching performance. The 100 gamer had 28 disposals, took eleven marks, 467 metres gained (third for the club) and seven intercept possessions. One word; unreal.
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Lachie Bramble:
While some of his younger teammates are requiring to be managed, he’s going from strength to strength. Another 25 disposals for the young gun who always looks to carry the ball forward, epitomised by leading the Hawks for metres gained (538), went at 88%, took seven marks, delivered the ball inside 50 seven times and had six score involvements.
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Dan Howe:
Always a man that kicks goals the hard way, Howie covered the ground magnificently, highlighted by two pieces of play in the third quarter where he helped a forward thrust, only to be on the last line of defence when Collingwood pressed. Two goals from 18 disposals is a huge tick as well as 88% efficiency.
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Jonathan Ceglar:
When Ned Reeves was ‘managed’, it created a stir amongst Hawks fans but hopefully the motive became oh so clearer. 20 disposals from a ruckman, 90% efficiency is bonkers, thirteen contested possessions, eight score involvements, eight clearances, six marks (three contested), three rebounds and 21 hit-outs was a performance as good as his Sydney one.
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Chad Wingard:
The Chad (like many of his teammates) has gone to another level in recent times and his use inside 50 made the fans salivate. Finished with 30 disposals, eight score involvements, six inside 50’s, four tackles, four marks and 73% efficiency. Looked unreal every-time he went near the footy and the Hawks are so much better with him lighting up the MCG.
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Tom Phillips:
One of Flip’s finest offensive performances came against his former club which would’ve been doubly pleasing. He ran where he pleaded for his 26 disposals, had 500 metres gained (second behind Bramble), took eight marks, had seven score involvements and four intercept possessions. Ball use costs him a touch with six turnovers but his work off the ball was exemplary.
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Tim O’Brien:
Jack Gunston has made his career being the dynamic and great size third forward option and it seems TOB is doing much the same down back. He grabbed everything with ten grabs from his 14 disposals and went at 92% efficiency. Also had four rebounds and four score involvements. We like this role for Timmy O, really like it.
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Liam Shiels:
The third of the trio of 26 disposal getters, Pup made himself ultra busy around the contest. He only had six kicks but ten contested disposals, five score involvements, five marks, three tackles and three clearances showed his work and went at 88%.
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Kyle Hartigan:
We called for improved ball use from the former Crow and he delivered, going at 100% from his eight disposals. Did take four marks but gave some free kicks away, two of which were really stiff.
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Jacob Koschitzke:
After his managed week off, Kosi crashed into every pack he could and didn’t let Collingeood’s back half exit the forward 50 with ease. He had nine touches, five score involvements and kicked three goals. We cannot wait for him ripping apart 2022 and fingers crossed he finishes the year well.
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Dylan Moore:
Our writer Rhys has been welcoming the broader Hawthorn public onto the Dylan Moore bandwagon since he was alone for a very long time but this man is becoming of the real elite high half forwards of the competition. He had 20 disposals at 75% efficiency, eleven score involvements, seven contested possessions, six marks, three tackles and kicked 2.1.
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Tyler Brockman:
Came on as the substitute for Worpel and made an impact forward of centre, even if he rushed himself on a couple of occasions. Still though, four of his five touches were effective and he had three score involvements. As he only played a quarter, no ranking is given but a very encouraging thumbs up.
