The Hawks come back from the bye with a bang!
Sam Mitchell has continued his undefeated run against his old coach, Alistair Clarkson, with another commanding win over the North Melbourne Kangaroos down in Tasmania.
The Hawks started off strong, kicking five majors straight, including two early from the evergreen Jack Gunston, who went on to kick another five for the evening. The Hawks keep the pressure on, kicking another eight in the second term, including a sensation goal from Nick Watson, who burst out of the midfield, ball in hand, to slot one following a precarious one-two handball chain. By the main break, Hawthorn led by 51 points.
The goals didn’t stop there, as the Hawks registered another 10 majors across the second half. Hawthorn finished the night 23.12.150, triumphing over North Melbourne by 85 points.
Young ruck-forward, Max Ramsden kicked three, as did Nick Watson, while Connor Macdonald and Dylan Moore, notched two each. But it was Mabior Chol and Jack Gunston who turned heads in the forward line. Chol equaled his personal best of five majors, including a sensation goal from an impossible angle, while Gunston kicked a career high seven, garnering nine coaches votes for his efforts.
Hawthorn now have three wins on the trot, bringing them to ten wins, five losses this season, sitting outside the top four on percentage.
Lauren
3 – Jack Gunston
Averaging his most goals per game since 2014, Gunners looked as fit as ever as he slotted through a career high 7 majors over the weekend. What a year Jack is having, to be beating his own personal bests in what should be the twilight years of his career is a testament to how hard he’s worked since missing a decent chunk of footy a few years ago.
Have to give him one more year off the back of this, right?
2 – Jai Newcombe
Matching up with one of the best clearance teams over the past month, Newcombe rose above and was easily the best mid on the ground against the Roos. 27 disposals, 13 of those contested, he set the standard of toughness on the day. 10 clearances along with nine score involvements, he was the dominant driver of our scores from stoppage.
1 – Karl Amon
When Karl goes unchecked he dominates games, 33 disposals at 84% disposal efficiency, he stood out for his accumulation and effective ball use. In typical Amon fashion, he led the metres gained stat and was clinical off the half back line, sparking plenty of our most effective passages of play that lead to shots on goal.
He’s an integral part of our game plan and I’m sure we will see him rewarded with a high finish in the Peter Crimmins Medal tally come the end of the season.
Chris
3 – Jack Gunston
Doesn’t get much better than that performance for a medium forward. To have 15 disposals and have 11 score involvements is forward craft at its best! Always a team first mentality, but when it’s your turn seven goals, it is.
2 – Karl Amon
Karl found himself off the leash this week and made the most of it with 782 meters gained from 33 disposals going at 85%, if you don’t mind. Having 11 score involvements off the halfback speaks volumes of his elite ball use.
1 – Mabior Chol
Absolutely loved his all round game, similar to Gunston had 14 disposals and accumulated 10 score involvements! Slotted five goal straight, some handy ruck work and one of the best run down tackles you’ll see.
Ollie
3 – Jack Gunston
After hitting the six goal mark multiple times throughout his illustrious career, not many would have expected him to eclipse this with a seven goal haul at the age of 33.
Bringing his tally to 35 goals for the season (at an average of 2.9), Gunston completely overwhelmed the in-form Toby Pink and continued the most unlikely of career-best seasons.
2 – Mabior Chol
Gunston wasn’t the only one who approached career-high territory in the 85-point victory, as Mabior Chol’s five majors equaled his single-game best which continued a stellar block of form for the key forward.
Accompanied by 14 disposals, ten score-involvements and some defensive efforts that should be reserved for a player much smaller than he, Chol’s 2025 season continues to build.
1 – Karl Amon
Well on his way to a maiden Peter Crimmins Medal, this guy. Amon was everywhere against the Kangaroos, finishing with 33 disposals and eleven score-involvements whilst carving the opposition apart with his disposal – at which he operated at 85%.
As has become customary during his time at Hawthorn, Amon also led the match in metres gained, finishing with an impressive 78.
Bec
3 – Jack Gunston
Well, you can’t put it past him. The veteran made it look easy. Seven goals, one behind from fifteen disposals, four marks, and 11 score involvements overall. Chol was hot on his heels late, slotting five himself, but it was Gunston with the new PB and the three votes.
2 – Jai Newcombe
In the absence of James Sicily and, later, that of Dylan Moore, the Duke took another step in his development as a club leader.
27 disposals, four tackles, ten clearances, a goal, five i50s, nine score involvements, and a match high 13 contested possessions – he might not have been the standout on the stat sheet, but his tenacity and teamwork with Connor Nash and Cam Mackenzie helped quash North’s midfield.
1 – Lloyd Meek
Have to commend Mr Meek yet again. Tristan Xerri is the second highest rated ruckman in the comp, and Meek took him on, beating him in hitouts (37), with nine to advantage, including a sensational one early to Nick Watson, resulting in a quick goal. Adding six tackles, five clearances, from his 11 disposals, he gets one for the effort.
Tally
Jack Gunston – 12
Karl Amon – 4
Jai Newcombe – 4
Mabior Chol – 3
Lloyd Meek – 1
