Overwhelmed and outplayed, Hawthorn was served their first loss of the season in what was an arduous match for players and fans alike.
Meeting again for the first time since their blockbuster semi-final last season, Hawthorn was dominated early in the final game for Gather Round, trailing behind by 59 by halftime, having only kicked three majors.
The media had done all it could to hype this game up as a grudge match and Port Adelaide certainly subscribed to this mentality. Ken Hinkley’s men were aggressive early, applying the pressure in spades.
Port’s leaders in Zak Butters and Connor Rozee were particularly damaging in the midfield, notching 61 disposals, eight tackles, and 11 clearances between them, plus two goals from the captain.
Hawthorn’s mids on the other hand, struggled, unable to develop any composure or fluidity for much of the match. Jai Newcombe fought hard, clocking 29 disposals, four tackles, and eight clearances, leading the midfield best he could and becoming Hawthorn’s top ball-getter once again.
Lloyd Meek was challenged thoroughly in the ruck by Port’s Jordan Sweet, beaten in the hit outs, but managed to hit the scoreboard twice, with an additional goal assist.
Port were particularly punishing in the turnover, scoring 60 points from turnover chains. Their ability to move the ball through the corridor was equally debilitating, scoring 97 points from that zone.
Jack Gunston was Hawthorn’s most impactful player, the 32-year-old kicking six goals straight, out-maneuvering the likes of both Aliir Aliir and Esava Ratugolea, helping lead the sprightly yet desperate fight back in the second half.
Captain James Sicily lifted following the break. After speaking at halftime to Abby Holmes about “pulling [the sides] fingers out”, Sicily swung forward to help close the gap on the scoreboard, while vice-captain Dylan Moore moved into the midfield to try and improve ball movement.
The Hawks managed to wrestle back control of the game, winning the third quarter and narrowing the lead to just over 20 points. However, it wasn’t meant to be, with Port adding another four goals to their tally, including one from a contentious free kick in the goal square for Willie Rioli, keeping the Hawks out of reach.
A couple of scares in the medical room further dampened things for the night, with Conor Nash hurting his wrist and later subbed off, and James Worpel re-injuring himself and coming off the ground late in the game.
Coach Sam Mitchell has voiced concern over some of sides deficits over the last month, arguing that while Hawthorne’s ladder position is favourable, the stat sheet reveals they are some way off being the contenders they want to be.
Hawthorn currently has the fifth worst offensive profile in the league, struggling mainly with inside fifties and efficiency in the forward half, and fourth worst in terms of overall ball movement. After being placed third in the competition for movement off the turnover, they now rank 15th.
Sunday’s performance was a vindication of these concerns. However, it may be the outcome and experience the side needed to begin making the necessary corrections and improve their overall performance.
As Mitchell put it in his post-game press conference,it was “not the way we want to play and not the style and level of gameplay that we try to produce and we were trying to work out why.”
Hawthorn will face Geelong in their annual Easter Monday clash at the MCG next round.
