LOOK OUT... THE HAWKS ARE HUNGRY AND FINALS BOUND
Hawthorn has achieved one of the rarest feats in footy.
After making a dismal 0-5 start to the season, the Hawks reeled off 14 wins from 18 games, sealing a finals spot with a belting of North Melbourne by 124 points.
With some Hawks supporters perhaps a little apprehensive and wary of what ex coach Alistair Clarkson may have for us, once the game was underway it was easy to see the Hawks were not going to let this one slip.
The tackling and running for one another was outstanding finishing with 40 shots on goal to 14 shots by North in a rain soaked game
Sam Mitchell said in his presser, “We’ve known for six weeks we could maybe afford to lose one game and we did lose that one game.
“We’re going to have to be consistent for another four games if we’re going to get all the way … winning finals is tough to do but we’ve given ourselves a chance.”
Go get em Hawks!
Daz
FINALS BOUND BABY WOOH!
3. Jai Newcombe
What a finish to the year Jai has had!
Averaging 28 disposals a game since Round 19, Duke took on Luke Davies-Uniacke and young gun George Wardlaw and beat them both convincingly.
Jai had 11 contested possessions (same as the two Roo boys) and had 35 disposals at 89%, 15 score involvements, 10 clearances (eight from the centre bounce), six inside 50’s and 462 metres gained.
Could be in the upper echelon of midfielders in 2025.
2. Massimo D’Ambrosio
If he is not on a wing in the All-Australian team, the Hawks’ fans will go bunta.
Can’t do much more than 31 disposals (14 contested possessions), 10 score involvements, 430 metres gained, five clearances and two goals.
Two picks in the 60’s and the Bombers aren’t making finals. How good?
1.Jack Ginnivan
Speaking of elite pickups!
Ginni’s fourth game of 20+ disposals and 2+ goals (tied with Dylan Moore for the most at Hawthorn in 2024) gives him my vote.
His 23 & 2 game was also littered with eight inside 50’s, seven score involvements, 388 metres gained and even four intercepts.
The equivalent of Pick 33 for Ginni is just ridiculous value. His former club isn’t playing finals either.
Matt
3. Jai Newcombe
A bullocking 35 disposals at 89% efficiency on a wet deck is an impressive feat, yet Jai also had a team high 10 clearances of which eight were centre clearances (with Hawthorn’s next highest being two CCs).
With an impressive 15 score involvements (equalling his season high), four of those were goal assists (a team high) among six inside 50s, and Jai helped himself to a goal too.
Jai turned up for a big game and he delivered. Newk’s recent form will be really important if the Hawks are to carry on in finals.
2. Massimo D’Ambrossio
On a wet day, our hard running winger was a little lower than on disposal efficiency (61%, normally Mass is elite with 78%) but he still racked up 31 disposals, five clearances and had 430 meters gained.
Mass did a lot of work at both ends of the ground. He had an equal team high of eight intercept possessions, ten score involvements, two goals and one behind.
One thing is for sure; we have one of the best wingmen going around.
1. Connor Macdonald
I gave Croc the nod here for my last vote, but it could have easily have gone to Sicily, Ginni, Moore or the Wiz.
Connor had a really efficient day (84% DE), and enjoyed dining out with fellow forwards at the Roos expense with three goals. Add to that, 17 pressure acts, three clearances, seven tackles and seven score involvements, Croc come to play.
Mitch
3. Jai Newcombe
35 disposals, one goal, 11 contested possessions and 15 score involvements gives Jai the slight edge over my second best today! He continues to improve and is a contested beast built for finals!
Hopefully Will Day will be able to join him for week one of finals, but if not, Jai is going to be super important to our chances!
2. Massimo D’Ambrosio
Seriously running out of superlatives for this fella! He is just about the recruit of the year and could very well be on an All Australian wing pretty soon. I could have given him three votes, but gave the slight edge to Jai.
Two goals including a ripper on the run, 31 disposals and 14 contested possessions to cap off a superb home and away season!
Regardless of how far we go this year, this bloke will be apart of our next premiership and Hawks fans are hoping it’s sooner rather than later!
1. Connor Macdonald
Once again the last vote could go to virtually anyone. Jack Ginnivan was strongly considered, so too Sicily, Watson and Moore, but I’ve gone with CMac!
Three goals, 19 disposals and seven tackles gets him the nod for the last vote!
Chris
3. Jai Newcombe
This brown and gold beast has stepped it up, yet again in the absence of Will Day; and I can’t wait to see what he can produce in September.
Leading possession winner on the day with 35 disposals at a crazy 89% disposal efficiency if you don’t mind!
The big numbers don’t stop with the 10 clearances and 15 score involvements, he really was everywhere today and deserves the BOG award.
2. Massimo D’Ambrosio
It can’t be underestimated the impact this young man has had in Hawthorn’s rapid improvement this year! Getting 30 touches in the midfield is good going, but 30 on a wing is exceptional.
Add 10 score involvements to his stat sheet, of which two were goals of his own, it was the cream on top.
1.Connor Macdonald
Croc is playing his role for the team to perfection, working as hard defensively as he does offensively, Macdonald really hurts the opposition and is so dangerous around goals.
He finished with 19 touches, three goals and seven tackles to his name, but like always, Croc was getting his teammates involved with the seven score involvements for the day as well.
Matt and Mitch join fans for the post match reactions
Round 24 MVP Votes Jai Newcombe – 12 Votes Massimo D’Ambrosio – 8 Votes Connor Macdonald – 3 Votes Jack Ginnivan – 1 Vote |
