Round 2 Match Review: Hawks Continue To Shine Under The Bright Lights
By Matthew Younan and Ollie Tisbury
Hawthorn have continued their dominant start to the season, winning by 20 points at a wet MCG on Thursday night, with the final scoreline reading 12.8 (80) to 8.12 (60). In front of a crowd of 62,735, the Hawks won three of the four quarters and ended up walking away from their first Thursday night home-and-away clash since 2017 with the all-important four points, continuing to reaffirm their status as genuine flag hopefuls.
Assisted by the fact Carlton was dealt a blow just before the bounce with forward Harry McKay out with illness, the Hawks entered the match as betting favourites based on the early-season form of both sides and started the match in dominant fashion.
The round two game was a special milestone for the ever-reliable Jarman Impey who celebrated his 200th game in style, collecting 13 touches and laying six tackles in the 20-point victory. Chaired off by his teammates after the game, he acknowledged the support from his wife, Annabelle and teammates and paid tribute to his late father-in-law who passed away last week. It came after heartwarming scenes before the game, where the 29-year-old and his wife Annabelle announced they are expecting a baby later this year.
In what was very much a see-sawing affair, both teams gained ascendancy at different times, as the Hawks finished the first term with a two-point lead due largely to the strong play of Mabior Chol in attack, but were five points behind when the major break rolled around.
However a strong third quarter that was orchestrated by the likes of Massimo D’Ambrosio (twelve disposals, 194 metres gained), Josh Ward (seven disposals, one goal) and Jack Gunston (two goals) saw the victors pile on four goals in quick succession and regain the lead.
Continuing with this momentum, it was the final term that saw Hawthorn stretch the margin too far out of reach for the Blues, as crucial goals to Sicily, Chol and Watson, the last of which more-or-less represented a perfect transition from defense to attack, proved to break the resolve of a side whose efforts could, for the most part, not be questioned.
Unlike last week, where Hawthorn’s small forward brigade of Nick Watson, Connor MacDonald, Dylan Moore and Jack Ginnivan combined for nine goals, it was the taller forwards who provided the most consistent avenue to goal. Led by the mercurial Chol (three goals, seven score-involvements) whose performance was highlighted by a stunning snapping goal early in the final term, the versatility of the Hawk’s multi-faceted attack was on full display, through multiple goals from swingman Blake Hardwick and savvy triple premiership star Jack Gunston.
Entering the match as the designated substitute, Gunston probably wasn’t expecting to be injected into the game midway through the second term, but due to MacDonald’s uncomfortable-looking ankle injury, the veteran was required early, however he was obviously ready. Alongside his two invaluable goals, both of which were direct results of flawless body-work in marking contests, the star forward’s ability to quell the impact of star defender Jacob Weitering and hold him to eleven disposals was also significant.
Additional majors from James Sicily, Josh Ward and Dylan Moore also proved handy, as was the performance of Watson. As previously mentioned, the small forward brigade struggled to provide their usual impact, however this couldn’t be applied to the ‘Wizard’, who continued his strong start to his second season with two goals, six marks and seven score-involvements from his 16 possessions – including the electrifying final goal of the match.
The match also proved to be yet another display of the side’s flexibility and willingness to adapt to the state of the match, as unlike last week, the conditions meant the precision kicking and efficiency that tore Essendon apart was virtually impossible. Instead, Sam Mitchell and his team opted for a much more gritty, contested approach that perfectly suited the bull that is Jai Newcombe.
In a performance that further illustrated his status as a genuine A-grade midfielder, ‘Newk’ put together one of his most complete performances of an already highly-decorated career. Matched up against two-time Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps for a large portion of the match (who at times was primarily assigned to quell the Hawks star such was his impact) Newcombe racked up 32 disposals (20 contested), nine score involvements and nine clearances, all whilst overwhelming the opposition physically, as his eleven tackles prompted flashbacks to his record-breaking 14 tackles when he made his debut in 2021.
Playing a supportive role to his dominance and the continued brilliance of Will Day (26 disposals, seven inside-50’s), both Cam Mackenzie and Josh Ward continued to build towards becoming key cogs in the engine room. Combining for 43 disposals, their collective aerobic capacity and composure by foot was noticeable on a night where clean skills were paramount. Ward (24 disposals, seven tackles, one goal), who was amongst the best last week against Essendon, put together arguably a career-best match, as the former number 7 pick continues to stake his claims for a permanent midfield spot. His goal in the third term, which was a reward for the gut running he has become renowned for, allowed the Hawks to regain the lead, one they would ultimately not surrender for the rest of the match.
Additionally, Mackenzie’s 19 disposals, thirteen of which were kicks, oozed of composure, as the strides he has taken over the offseason in IQ, physicality and confidence continue to be displayed more and more with each passing week.
Defensively, the inclusion of Changkuoth Jiath in his first game since Round 21, 2024, was positive, as his ability to offer support to the likes of James Sicily, Tom Barrass and Josh Battle with numerous timely spoils was impressive. The exciting defender was also able to remind fans of his line-breaking offensive game on the way to 20 disposals and eight intercepts, with a disposal efficiency of 90 per cent highlighting the return of his one-touch possession that was, by all reports, a particular focus throughout the offseason.
And though it may have been somewhat masked by Newcombe’s match-winning exploits, Josh Battle’s performance, which most Hawks’ fans would recognise as his best game in the brown-and-gold, was again pivotal in Hawthorn claiming victory. Headlined by his ability to keep two-time Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow goalless, therefore significantly hampering a Carlton forward line who were already missing Harry McKay through illness, the former Saint was also able to impact through many other avenues.
Of his 21 disposals, 17 were deemed effective, highlighting the defender’s ability both via hand and foot, whilst his desperation, which was perfectly exemplified by his touch on the goal-line that prevented an otherwise certain Jack Silvagni goal in the second quarter, allowed him to rack up a game high eight one-percenters.
And, just like last week when challenged by Essendon, Hawthorn responded every time Carlton applied the heat. It was just another sign of the side’s growing maturity and coach Sam Mitchell was pleased with his side’s ability to roll with the punches of an AFL match; specifically nodding to the fact that “how we’ve handled momentum this year shows some growth”.
Ultimately, Friday night’s result sees the Hawks claim a 3-0 start to a season for the first time since 2014, something Hawks fans should be encouraged by seeing as that was the year they won the second of three consecutive premierships. Furthermore, they have never had a worse finish than the preliminary final and have won several premierships after starting the season with three wins, all signs that, if history is a witness, point towards a fruitful ending to a season that has started with such success.
After three games in 13 days, the Hawks will host the GWS Giants in their home away from home at UTAS Stadium in Launceston next Saturday night before enjoying a well-earned bye the following week. The round 3 clash already looms to be a heavyweight bout between two sides arguably best placed for a flag based on the (albeit small) current sample size.
