1. Boy oh boy - Big Boy's back
After four strong games in the VFL, ruckman Ben McEvoy forced his way back into the senior team for Round 15 and had a huge impact against Fremantle.
A day after he turned 26, McEvoy came out all guns blazing and was arguably the best player on the ground at half time.
It was an all-round performance from ‘Big Boy’ McEvoy – who finished with 12 disposals, 24 hitouts, seven marks and two goals.
He was involved without the ball as well – laying six tackles and effecting seven one-percenters.
2. Hawks bring the heat
Eighty-three tackles.
It was the Hawks’ pressure without the ball early in the contest that set the tone for the course of the match.
Despite having 119 more disposals than the Dockers, the Hawks also won the tackle count 83-58.
It was the usual suspects leading the way, in 100-gamer Paul Puopolo (12) and Liam Shiels (eight), but fifteen Hawks laid three or more tackles for the game.
3. Defence stands tall
Josh Gibson led all-comers at half time with 19 disposals – before finishing as one of the most effective players on the ground – but it was a real team effort from the Hawks’ defence.
Ben Stratton kept dangerous Docker Michael Walters to one goal, while Grant Birchall found plenty of the ball and both Brian Lake and Matt Spangher stood tall in their key defensive posts.
Gibson finished with 27 disposals and a whopping 13 one-percenters, while Birchall had 31 disposals and Lake had 24 disposals and 13 marks.
As a team, the Hawks restricted the Dockers to just 43 points – their lowest score since Round 23, 2013.
4. Fyfe, Neale shut down
No side had restricted Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe to less than 26 disposals in a match this season – before Sunday.
Fyfe and fellow ball magnet Lachie Neale were restricted to just 20 disposals each in a dominant midfield performance from the Hawks.
The Hawks won the clearances 49-30, with seven players winning four or more clearances each.
Liam Shiels and Luke Breust led the way with six apiece, while midfield machine Sam Mitchell racked up a season-high 39 disposals.
5. Thanks for having us, Hawkseston
The Hawks extended their strong record at Aurora Stadium with Sunday’s 72-point win against the Dockers.
It was the club’s 14th consecutive win at the Launceston venue, and the 21st win from the past 22 games there.
Aurora Stadium is a venue that Fremantle is yet to beat the Hawks at in eight attempts, dating back to 2002.
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Hawks down Dockers by 72 points
