1. Sliding Dawes
Footballers speaking their minds is terrific, but when Chris Dawes said the reigning premiers were "gettable" this week it put him under the spotlight. That's probably the last place he wanted to be in a forgettable day for the key forward and his team. The numbers this season don't look good for Dawes, who has kicked three goals in five games and taken just two marks inside 50. With young star Jesse Hogan withdrawn pre-game with general soreness, more responsibility was heaped on Dawes, but he was well beaten by his old teammate James Frawley in the former Demon's first game back from a pectoral injury.
2. Suckling shows off
Halfway through the third quarter, Matt Suckling was streaming into an open goal and settled on a slight angle 15m out. Rather than punch it through, he decided to dribble it through on the run and came up short. It would be interesting to know if he would have made the decision if the margin wasn't 62 points. One of the best kicks in the competition, he showed what he can do just two minutes later by casually slotting a set shot from beyond 50m.
3. Rucks rolling at the Hawks
Every club wants a ruck combo they can rotate forward, but getting that structure in place is easier said than done. Unless you are Hawthorn, that is, and you can slot David Hale in to replace an injured Ben McEvoy. Hale took contested marks and kicked two goals, all while helping in the ruck before he was substituted in the third quarter. Jonathan Ceglar looks to be the reigning premiers No.1 ruckman now, but in McEvoy and Hale, Alastair Clarkson has another two goalkicking big men who can slot into the ruck at any time. Ceglar controlled the ruck against Jake Spencer, giving the Hawks a 59-29 hit-out advantage and a 45-31 edge in clearances.
4. Brayshaw sets the tackling standard
First-year Demon Angus Brayshaw didn't have his best game by any stretch, but he was one of the few Demons who could claim to have tackled with intent. Early in the third quarter, Billy Hartung received a handball across half-back and took off down the wing. Brayshaw set off in pursuit and gritted his teeth, catching the speedster and creating a turnover that eventually resulted in a rare Melbourne goal. A tackling machine, Brayshaw has averaged five a game this season, and his effort contrasted with the majority of his teammates, who laid 26 tackles in the first half, compared to the Hawks' 41. The final tally was 63-74.
5. Hartung ready for his nomination
Hawthorn speedster Billy Hartung had his work cut out for him earning a NAB AFL Rising star nomination last year, wearing the subs vest six times in his seven games. But he set himself up for some official recognition with a standout first half on Saturday. The midfielder racked up 15 possessions and kicked a goal before half time as one of the most damaging players on the ground. In the second half he eased off, but the Hawks would be thrilled with what he has shown in the absence of Jordan Lewis and Luke Hodge. Recruited with pick No.24 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, he is progressing perfectly at the Hawks.
