While young and inexperienced on the field, (With sixteen players having played 100 games or less), the Hawks fought valiantly in a Gather Round thriller against the reigning premiers, falling agonisingly short by five points to the Collingwood Magpies in front of just over 43,000 people.
Tim’s Votes
3. Lloyd Meek
Played a tremendous game in the ruck, impacting at centre bounces and finishing the game with 18 disposals, seven clearances, five score involvements and a goal assist.
2. Blake Hardwick
Dimma went forward in the second half and hit the scoreboard, finishing with four goals and showing that he might be the most impressive swingman in the AFL for years to come.
1. Jack Scrimshaw
Scrimma played a tremendous role on Sunday, impacting the contest with three contested marks, ten contested possessions and ten intercept possessions in a great game down back.
Daz’s Votes
3. Lloyd Meek
2. Blake Hardwick
1. Jai Newcombe
Chris’ Votes
Lauren’s Votes
3. Blake Hardwick
He was the reason we got so close in the end. His ability to lead up to the ball and take strong marks inside 50 was so pivotal for getting our game plan going with some key outs in that forward line. Plus he was able to kick straight, with his only miss hitting the post – that is probably not something that can be said about a lot of our other forwards recently. Will this game lead to his first ever Brownlow vote…?
2. Jai Newcombe
Nuke is back! Another player that tried his absolute best to bring us our first win of the season. Absolutely dominant around the ground finishing with 10 clearances, three more than anyone else, as well as an enormous 18 contested possessions. The more we get the ball into Newcombe’s hands, the better chance we have at winning.
1. Lloyd Meek
Had a massive impact on the game in the ruck, and was the best of the players in his position, despite not winning the hitouts. Was able to move around the ground nicely and be a looming presence in both the defence and the forward line. He was able to initiate a lot our plays that finished with a score, leading all players with five score launches. One of the most impressive aspects of his game is that we saw him go alone and get his own clearances, finishing with seven.
Mitch’s Votes
3. Blake Hardwick
Kicked four goals and was the genuine spark behind the Hawks getting back into the game. He also did a wonderful job on Jamie Elliot in the first half.
We know how reliable he is as a lockdown defender, and it did not surprise me at all to see him do so well down forward after spending the entire preseason as a forward. Does he stay there?
2. Jai Newcombe
If Blake Hardwick was the spark in the forward line, Jai was it through the middle. Started the game forward and just looked a bit out of place, but in fairness he’s looked like that in the centre in the first few weeks of 2024, but he was back to his best, particularly in the second half.
It was a great team performance to get back in the game Sunday night, but Hardwick and Newcombe were the two catalysts and that’s why they are at the top of my votes.
1. Lloyd Meek
I don’t care what the hitouts say, Meek was comfortably the best ruckman on the ground and Max Ramsden did a wonderful job as the second option. Meek has had a good start to his season, with two stand-out performances, providing a strong presence around the ground as well as being solid in the ruck.
Ned Reeves has his work cut out for him if he wants to get back into this team, Meek is now my clear number one ruck.
Matt’s Votes
3. Lloyd Meek
He set the tone with two tackles in the first 30 seconds, and took the lion’s share of ruck work with 84 ruck contests. Lloyd’s ruck craft, pressure and clearance work helped move the ball forward a lot registering five score involvements. Meek competed in the air and around the ground all day modelling great physicality.
2. Blake Hardwick
After a lockdown role on Elliott in the first half, Hardwick had a day out in front of the sticks for the forward, come backman, come forward. Hardwick’s smarts, use of the body and reading of inside 50 balls allowed his accurate boot to take care of the rest, almost dragging the Hawks across the line.
1. Jai Newcombe
Newcombe took on the game and was the notable midfielder from the second quarter on. His will to influence contests was elite with 10 clearances and as Hawthorn’s second highest possessions getter, his quality intercept and goal in the 2nd was a class act.
Round 4 MVP Votes
Blake Hardwick – 15 Votes
Lloyd Meek – 11 Votes
Jai Newcombe – 6 Votes
Jack Scrimshaw – 3 Votes
Karl Amon – 1 Vote
Talking Hawks MVP Leaderboard
James Worpel – 35 Votes
Lloyd Meek – 18 Votes
Blake Hardwick – 15 Votes
Jack Scrimshaw – 11 Votes
Jai Newcombe – 6 Votes
Connor Nash – 6 Votes
Massimo D’Ambrosio – 6 Votes
Sam Frost – 6 Votes
Josh Weddle – 3 Votes
James Sicily – 3 Votes
