Jarryd Roughead is back
Hawthorn key forward Jarryd Roughead was “raring to play” last week according to coach Alastair Clarkson.
Roughead was given the approval to play by doctors on Tuesday – and marked his return with a five-goal haul in the Haws’ 89-point win against the Sydney Swans.
The 28-year-old, who missed two games after having a melanoma removed from his bottom lip, wasted no time getting involved in the contest.
Roughead’s first goal came in the 15th minute of the opening term – and he finished with 16 disposals and seven marks to go with 5.2.
The Hawks keep delivering offensively
Jarryd Roughead kicked a bag of five – but the Hawks again had plenty of contributors on the scoreboard.
Twelve players kicked at least one goal, with the Hawks passing 100 points for the sixth match in succession.
The inside-50s were 52-51 in the visitors’ favour at ANZ Stadium, but the Hawks’ efficiency allowed them 31 scoring shots as opposed to the Swans’ 22.
The Hawks have kicked a combined 40 goals in the past two weeks against top four sides Fremantle and the Swans and average more than 112 points per game across season 2015.
Is there anything Cyril can’t do?
It's a good question.
To channel legendary commentator Bruce McAvaney, Rioli dished up another ‘delicious’ performance against the Swans on Saturday night.
The 25-year-old got it done at ground level and in the air – the highlight being a big contested mark and goal in the third quarter.
Rioli finished with 20 disposals, six marks, eight tackles and three goals – a game on par with his match-winning five-goal performanceagainst Collingwood in Round 14.
Defence stands tall
Offensively the Hawks have shone over the past fortnight, but at the other end of the ground they have been equally effective.
The Hawks restricted the Swans to just seven goals on Saturday night – four of which came in a second-term burst – and Fremantle to six goals the week before.
In both matches against fellow top-four teams, the Hawks have held their opponents goalless for a quarter – the Swans in the first term and the Dockers in the second.
Can the Hawks claim a top-two finish?
On the back of the last two weeks, a top-two finish now looms as a definite possibility.
The Hawks now sit third on the ladder after wins against the ladder-leading Dockers and fourth-placed Swans.
But with seven games to go in the home-and-away season, the Hawks will need to keep winning, starting with Friday night’s game against Carlton.
Big games also loom against fellow top-four contenders Richmond (fifth) in Round 18, and West Coast (second) in Round 19.
