On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, Sam Mitchell’s pack of discards and rapscallions further defied the footy world’s expectations with a dominating performance over the depleted Carlton Blues.
With both team’s finals hopes in the balance, the stadium was blanketed in an Elimination Final like atmosphere. Even Harry Morrison, who had been announced as the replacement for late out, Changkuoth Jiath, an hour before the game, remarked that the ground “smelt like finals” when in the middle of the ‘G for the warm up.
Even before captain James Sicily won the toss and the players took their places on the field, the Hawks were ready to rise to the occasion in front of a crowd of 84,773 spectators.
After a tight arm-wrestle in the first quarter, the young Hawks surged in the second, keeping the Blues goalless and extending the margin from two point lead to 33.
For Carlton fans, it had been a horror show, with several players, including star forward, Charlie Curnow, benched with an array of injuries. The Hawks’ hearts didn’t soften though and they continued their assault, piling on the goals and running rings around the remaining scattered Carlton players.
The Hawthorn clinic was truly a team effort, with eight goalscorers wreaking havoc in the forward line and the backline applying a devastating amount of pressure. First year player, Calsher Dear, had a game worthy of a Rising Star nomination, kicking three majors, while Nick Watson was busy with four goal assists, six i50s, and 400 metres gained.
Veteran Jack Gunston also kicked three goals, as did Josh Weddle who had an electric day out on the park, kicking what was quite possibly the goal of the year – a snap on the run, 50 metres out on a near-impossible angle.
After super sub Luke Bruest kicked his second goal, ten minutes into the final quarter, the crowd erupted with the realisation it had been the goal that had pilfered the top eight spot from Carlton. For the first time since round five, 2022, the Hawks were in the eight.
The tenacious Hawks closed the match with a 74 point lead, scoring 16.16 from 64 inside 50s. And as the likes of Dylan Moore (9), Massimo D’Ambrosio (9), Sicily (6), Weddle (4), and Jarman Impey (2) made a clean sweep of the coaches votes, and many other players making big impressions on the day, we’re left with the difficult decision of selecting the Talking Hawks round 22 MVP.
Liam
3. Dylan Moore
Superlatives are becoming hard to find for Moore, who keeps giving his all week after week.
29 disposals at 76% with 578 metres gained is great, but when you factor in a game high 15 marks, a game high 11 score involvements, a team high seven inside 50s, and two direct goal assists, it was hard to overlook the recently turned 25-year-old for maximum votes.
2. Jarman Impey
Underrated by many outside of Hawthorn fans this season, our number four was superb.
His game high nine intercepts reflects how well Jarman reads the game behind the ball, whilst he also recorded 25 disposals for nearly 500m gained, six marks, six score involvements, six rebounds, and four inside 50s in a superb display.
1. Josh Weddle
Weddle went at 100% efficiency from his 18 disposals, which is sublime, but he also took over 600m, which sees him edge out about half the squad for one vote here.
Six score involvements, six marks, five intercepts, five inside 50s, and three goals also reflect a very impressive outing for the 20-year-old.
Tim
3. Josh Weddle
A massive game from Weds who bounced back from the previous week. Kicked three goals, defended stoutly and his run and carry across the ground was absolutely tremendous. This kids ceiling is huge!
2. Harry Morrison
Came into the side as the late replacement for CJ and didn’t miss a beat. Had 20 touches and was involved in 10 score involvements. Had a massive smother in the first quarter and some huge moments in the third quarter that helped seal Carlton’s fate.
1. Calsher Dear
Yesterday was his break out game. Had 12 touches, eight score involvements, kicked three goals and was involved in absolutely everything. Have loved watching this kid grow before our eyes each week. Great job Bambi!
Mitch
3. Dylan Moore
Can I give half the side three votes? So many to choose from. Genuinely one of the best team performances of any side all year but I have to go with Dylan Moore! If he doesn’t have an All Australian blazer come seasons end i’ll spew up.
2. Massimo D’Ambrosio
Speaking of All Australian contenders, this man has put his hand up and has become the steal of the year! Lethal with ball in hand, had 31 disposals and went at 84% with 438 metres gained!
1. Calsher Dear
Another week where this last vote could go to anyone, Weddle, Impey, Scrimshaw all fantastic but giving the last vote to Calsher Dear for his 3 goal performance that could potentially earn him a rising star nomination!
Lauren
3. Massimo D’Ambrosio
Hawthorn’s leading disposal getter on the day, was able to pick off a few nice intercept possessions, while also being an offence threat, having the eight score involvements.
Patrolled that wing and they had no one that could run with him. A key part of our scoring chains. Sneaky chance at an inclusion in the All Australian squad?
2. Josh Weddle
The best of Weddle comes when he can roam free off the backline and we saw that on Sunday.
Taking off and leaving Carlton players in his wake, three goals off the halfback line, one which will be in his highlight reel for years. What a superstar this guy is going to be.
1. Dylan Moore
It’s standard for him to feature in the votes every week now, the picture of consistency. 11 score involvements and eight inside 50s from his 29 disposals. That’s all while being partially tagged for portions of the game.
He is now one of the few stars averaging 20 disposals and a goal a game in the league.
Chris
Note: There is an argument for half the team to be considered for votes; my votes are weighted towards players I felt had major influence on the outcome.
3. Jarman Impey
Jarman is one of the most selfless players in the team and this was highlighted by helping teammates being second man up to spoil.
He finished with 25 disposals with 494m gained, had 11 disposal in the all important 2nd quarter, equal game high 9 intercept disposals and 6 score involvements from playing in the backline!
2. Josh Weddle
Josh has taken on a massive role playing on a key tall each week, but has found the perfect balance of defending and choosing when to attack. I can’t remember the last time a defender kicked 3 goals without actually switching forward!
I was really impressed when he backed into a Harry McKay marking contest, didn’t hesitate and made the spoil.
1. Nick Watson
The Wiz was elite at putting the opposition under pressure, especially early when Carlton were still in the game. If he didn’t affect a direct turnover, he was forcing the opposition into poor disposals.
He lead the Hawks with 20 pressure acts, had four goal assists (next best two) and 400m gained from only 17 disposals!
Daz
Not sure how many apologies I can make but this is the hardest week to choose from. Here we go.
3. Dylan Moore
Hard to go past my man here who’s also an All-Australian half forward LOCK but he’s also the best high half forward in the game.
Dylza had 29 touches, 15 marks if you don’t mind, 578 metres gained (as a forward!), 11 score involvements (game-high), seven inside 50’s and and 14 pressure acts. My goodness gracious me.
Couldn’t have done any more.
2. Massimo D’Ambrosio
Pick 61 & the equivalent of Pick 65. That’s what Hawthorn gave up for a bloke who’s had 31 disposals at 84%, eight marks, six score involvements, six intercepts and 438 metres gained.
Essendon are also now 10th, half a game and 12.5% behind the Hawks on the ladder.
What a time to be alive!
1. Jack Gunston
First of all, huge apologies to Josh Weddle, James Sicily, Connor MacDonald, Conor Nash, James Worpel and Jack Scrimshaw. You’ll forgive me (I hope). However, Gunners for the second week in a row played a perfect defensive forward role and the Blues fell for it.
Michael Voss allowing Gunston to tag Jacob Weitering was a mistake, you’ve got Brodie Kemp and Mitch McGovern who can rotate and get Weitering onto Chol but that’s another issue.
Gunston kicked four on Sam Taylor last week and 3.1 on Weitering, while Weitering had zero intercept marks. Nada, none, zip. In the three preceding games against Carlton, he’d taken 13 combined. Last time we played Carlton? He took 7.
He’s a top three key back in the comp and Gunston made him worthless, while being damaging the other way. Long live the tagger!
Round 22 MVP Votes
Dylan Moore – 10 votes
Josh Weddle – 8 votes
Jarman Impey – 5 votes
Massimo D’Ambrosio – 4 votes
Harry Morrison – 2 votes
Calsher Dear – 2 votes
Nick Watson – 1 vote
Jack Gunston – 1 vote
