What a win, we are coming!
On a day that saw nine lead changes and a maximum of 15 points being the largest lead of all match, the Hawks came home strongly in the last quarter kicking 31 to nine points and overrunning the Dockers.
Our Captain James Sicily, on his return from his second dislocated shoulder of the season, struggled physically in defence during the first half and seemed reluctant to lay tackles at times. Sam Mitchell then made a brilliant move.
Sicily was the surprise hero once he played forward kicking three goals as the Hawks came from behind to post a thrilling 13-point win over Fremantle in Launceston.
Tim
3. Lloyd Meek Huge last quarter from Meeky, who once again showed his rapid improvement this year. Ended the day with 15 touches, four tackles, six score involvements and a mammoth 51 hit outs which gave the midfielders an opportunity to get to work against a very good Fremantle midfield. 2. James Sicily Clearly hampered by his shoulder, Sicily was thrown forward and it was a masterstroke. Ended the day with 13 touches, two contested marks, four score involvements and three goals in what was a phenomenal effort by the captain to help lead the team to victory. 1. Conor Nash Went to Caleb Serong in the last quarter and nullified his impact after he threatened to rip the game away from the Hawks. The Meath Menace ended the day with 21 touches, ten clearances and seven score involvements, all while using his body to give the other midfielders better opportunities in the clinches. |
Daz
Apologies to Jai Newcombe and Lloyd Meek who deserve mentions. The Prince of Poowong was special going inside 50 and Meek had 50 hitouts against Luke Jackson but seven clangers cost him… just. 3. James Sicily Will fight anyone on this. The skipper was pox down back early. Couldn’t tackle, couldn’t stand up in the contest and Sis even said it himself, “liability”. Swung forward, kicked three (including two of the last three to get the Hawks home). Oh captain, OUR captain! 2. James Worpel Jimmy broke an abundance of tackles in this one and stood up in the contest beautifully. Made Serong and Brayshaw not be anywhere near their best and his ability to take an extra second and make a good decision was superb. 1. Conor Nash Conor The Composed? Only six kicks amongst his 21 touches and that was perfect, as his bigger body negated Freo’s centre clearance work. Had a game-high 10 clearances, had seven score involvements, went at 90% and had 21 pressure acts. The luck of the Irish! |
Liam
3. Will Day In a scrappy game where few were able to really string four quarters together (for either side), Will Day was playing a different game. Strung together four very solid quarters and with 24 disposals and eight score involvements (both equal game highs), he was superb. Day also recorded three marks, four tackles, six clearances, and 328 metres gained, whilst also going at a more than respectable 75% disposal efficiency. 2. Conor Nash Day was immense but the Meath Menace played a major role in getting Day into space. Nash’s 21 disposals only yielded six kicks and 162 metres gained, but he went at 91% efficiency and also recorded a game high 10 clearances to go with seven score involvements, three marks, and two tackles. Nash was a physical presence around stoppages and made life hard for their match winners as well, doing a lot of the dirty work to facilitate the performances of his teammates. In the top three Hawks for pressure acts as well. 1. Lloyd Meek If this was done at the final change, Meek would not have been in the votes but his last quarter was so good that he had to be in, especially after a strong first half and the fact the team performance was so even. 51 hit outs is one thing but what really mattered was his impact once the ball hit the deck, with a game high three contested marks, three clearances, four tackles, six score involvements and 19 pressure acts (topped only by Day, Newcombe, and Nash). Stood up when needed against a quality opponent. James Sicily with three goals probably leads the line for unlucky players, which also includes Jarman Impey, Karl Amon and James Worpel. |
Matt
3. James Sicily Big players rise to the occasion. It looked like it wasn’t going to be his day, after his impact was limited in defence due to his shoulder, but the captain sensed his moment when moved forward mid way through the third quarter. With three goals in a quarter and a half from three shots on goal, his first goal late in the third quarter helped stem the flow with Freo having kicked five of the last six goals. His ability to instantly impact was inspirational given the state of his shoulder and it was telling on the scoreboard and end result. 2. Conor Nash The big Irishman was really important in a day where the football was tough and combative. Nash’s 13 contested possessions from his 21, with 19 effective disposals. His 10 clearances and strong body to help his fellow midfielders and seven score involvements was topped with 21 pressure acts as his efforts were meaningful to blanket his opponents. 1. Jai Newcombe The Duke flexed when it counted. He is a competitive beast and helped will the team over the line. Jai’s fourth quarter was meaningful along with the midfield brigade who deserve a mention. Newcombe kicked a goal as part of four score involvements in the last stanza. Across the day Newcombe’s 16 disposals (going 85% efficiency) were below his norm, but his tackling (8) and pressure acts (21) were team highs and he added seven score involvements. |
Lauren
3. Jai Newcombe One of the most influential 16 touch games you’ll see. He was so important when the game was on the line, turning half of those touches into score involvements. A monster eight tackles and nine contested possessions, in a game that was all about pressure. Newcombe combined with Meek to score one of the most appealing goals of the day. He was one of our best in the last quarter, and was able to use his strength in the contest to get us over the line. 2. Will Day In a low disposal game, Day had a game high of 24 along with six clearances. He is one of the toughest blokes in the competition and put his body on the line all game to ensure we maintained our hunger. Like Newcombe, he turned his disposals into eight score involvements and was a key link in most of our scoring chains. He was so dangerous around the stoppage and his ability to get a handball out when he is being tackled is so important to the game style that is winning us games. 1. James Sicily Definitely a ying yang type game from the captain. In the first half he was non competitive, as he said himself somewhat of a liability, however the second half he was key to us winning this game. Three huge goals and few massive contested marks. This is not just a vote for James but also a vote for Sam Mitchell, who wasn’t afraid to make moves like this, and has been able to uphold that success we have at the fortress that is UTAS stadium. |
Chris
3. Jai Newcombe
All the players in the midfield had their influence today but I thought Jai had the MOST!
Only had the 16 disposals (81% disposal efficiency), but he was composed while also being explosive! Eight tackles is a big tick in such a competitive game, 21 pressure acts, seven score involvements (nearly half his touches!). He rose to the occasion when it was required.
2. Conor Nash
I have talked about this guy playing his role and doesn’t get the credit for the work he does, it was so important today. Nash utilised his big body to his advantage superbly, winning a game high 10 clearances all while nullifying Caleb Serong.
Running at 90% disposal efficiency, won the contested ball and gave it to the outside runners. 21 Disposals including seven score involvements, Nash had my tick of approval today.
1. Josh Weddle
The new Mr. Fix it! In such a short career there has been a lot asked of this young man and he has accepted every challenge in his stride!
Played a key defensive role, went forward and kicked a much needed goal, then a brief run in the ruck where he influenced the game in a big way.
Late in the game made a couple of vital spoils and I don’t think we would have won without him.
Round 18 MVP Votes
James Sicily – 9 votes
Connor Nash – 8 votes
Jai Newcombe – 7 votes
Will Day – 5 votes
Lloyd Meek – 4 votes
James Worpel – 2 votes
Josh Weddle – 1 vote
Watch Chris and Matt on the livestream review discussing the victory with fans
