WIN AND WE ARE IN.
Hawthorn finds itself heading to Launceston next weekend with its destiny in its own hands after a clinical run of nine consecutive goals ended Sunday’s game against Richmond before Sam Mitchell had left the coaches’ box at quarter-time.
Should finals happen, the Hawks may return to September without reigning Peter Crimmins Medallist Will Day, after he was sent to hospital early in the game with a suspected broken collarbone.
By the time Day departed the MCG in an ambulance early in the second quarter, Hawthorn led by a game-high 64 points, before Richmond produced a spirited response to prevent a triple figure hiding that looked very possible in the first half.
The Hawks decimated Richmond in the first quarter, slamming on seven goals in the space of just 11 minutes to kill the contest, reaching the first break 50 points ahead with nine goals on the board, after registering 17 more inside 50s and seven more centre clearances.
It should have been more, but the final margin of 63 points improved Hawthorn’s percentage by 3.3 per cent ahead of next Saturday’s game against North Melbourne at University of Tasmania Stadium.
Bring on next Saturday’s game. Lets give it to North and go into the finals primed.
BEST ON GROUND VOTES
Tim
3. Jai Newcombe With Will Day going down injured in the first quarter, Hawthorn needed the man called Duke to stand up and be counted, and he absolutely did this! 33 touches, nine clearances, seven marks, two goal assists and a goal. He was absolutely massive in a great tune up before his first finals experience. 2. Jack Gunston Jack Gunston earned the two votes based on his output in the forward line. He has shown his value in the Hawthorn system, especially with so many younger players looking to him for guidance. Gunners kicked five goals on the day, had nine score involvements, a goal assist and nine marks, as he proves why Hawthorn sought to bring him back to the nest. 1. Nick Watson The excitement factor when Nick Watson goes near the ball is unbelievable. The Wizard had 12 touches, of which ten were score involvements, and also kicked three goals. I love the way that he is continuing to grow in his role on a weekly basis. |
Matt
3. Jai Newcombe
The Newk must like the smell of September… he was intent to impact the game from the first quarter, racking up 11 disposals, five clearances and a goal.
Newcombe was in superb form gathering 33 disposals at 82% efficiency, up from his season averages of 23.5 at 75%. Jai had team highs for 15 score involvements (season avg. 6) also 15 contested possessions (avg. 11.3), which was the sixth game in 2024 he’s had 15 or more CPs.
The Hawks are better when Jai imposes himself on the game.
2. Dylan Moore
When it came to setting the tone for the match, Moore was influential. His two goals from five possessions with eight pressure acts in the first quarter had the crowd pumped, but he didn’t stop.
Moore’s hard running and pressure was rewarded and he ended the day with 24 pressure acts, 20 disposals, seven tackles and nine score involvements for 360 metres gained.
The vice captain lead from the front.
1. Nick Watson
Watto. Had. Impact.
The Wiz knows his role and he did it with aplomb. Not everything went as he might have hoped, but Watson was relentless and was rewarded with three goals and one point.
With 10 score involvements, 14 pressure acts, three tackles and two intercept possessions, he not only had impact, but it feels like he is going to give defenders grief for many years to come with his anticipation and pace. Bring it on Wiz!
Daz
Forgive me Dylan… and Gunners. 3. Jai Newcombe The Prince of Poowong was unreal at the G, ravaging every contest and barging his way through. His 13 kicks to 20 handball ratio will need to flip come finals as territory gets more important without Will Day but 33 disposals (15 contested), 15 score involvements, nine clearances, seven inside 50’s and 425 metres gained is remarkable. 2. James Worpel 29 touches and two goals could be the end of the analysis to be fair but Jimmy was unreal on the weekend. Had eleven score involvements, nine contested possessions, 20 pressure acts, 619 metres gained if you don’t mind and nine inside 50’s. As well-rounded a performance as you could find. 1. Karl Amon Haven’t seen Karl play a better game than this defensively. He was an absolute wall. With ball in hand, he was at his lethal best; with 26 disposals (20 kicks) at 88%, had eight marks and score involvements, 548 metres gained and kicked a long range bomb. |
Lauren
3. Jai Newcombe Leading disposal getter on the ground, and you could notice it at the game. Was always involved in our most exciting passages, with his 15 score involvements and six score launches. Jai was working hard all around the ground with five tackles, nine clearances and a goal. 2. Dylan Moore Another week, another game where Moore is having two goals and 20 disposals. But it was not just his offensive presence that got him the votes, he was a beast with his pressure. Laying a game high seven tackles and 24 pressure acts. 1. Jack Gunston Wound back the clock with this performance, Gunners was slotting them from everywhere, kicking his five goals. At the MCG it was so exciting to see how well he was covering the ground. Looks as fit as ever. |
Chris
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3. Jai Newcombe Despite leading disposal count on the day, I felt it was his impact on the game that stood out for me. The Duke has an ability to break a game open that others just can’t do. From his 33 disposals 15 were score involvements! Lets not forget the nine clearances… Simply outstanding. 2. Dylan Moore The consistency Moorey has achieved this season is exceptional. Another twenty and two (disposals and goals) but he does it with defensive pressure, with a game high of 24 pressure acts and seven tackles. Absolutely elite and deserves an All Australian guernsey this year. 1. Karl Amon Like Hawthorn’s first quarter, Karl was nearly flawless today, going at 88% disposal efficiency from his 26 disposals. Managing eight score involvements off half back including a flashy goal of his own, the way he launches attack from defence is phenomenal and could help us go a long way in September. |
Round 23 MVP Votes
Jai Newcombe – 15 votes
Dylan Moore – 6 votes
Jack Gunston – 3 votes
James Worpel – 2 votes
Karl Amon – 2 votes
Nick Watson – 2 votes
