1. Liam Shiels is a tackling machine
Hawthorn broke its tackling record under Alastair Clarkson on Saturday night, laying 101 tackles – the first time the Hawks have passed 100 under Clarkson – against the Eagles.
Midfielder Liam Shiels laid an incredible 17 tackles, eight more than any other player on the field.
He is ranked number one in the AFL for tackles per match, with an average of 8.1, and continues to prove why he is so important for the Hawks.
2. Fitting celebration for Cyril
Trailing at the final change, the Hawks pulled out all stops to record a memorable 14-point, come-from-behind victory on Saturday night.
It was a fitting way to celebrate Cyril Rioli’s 150-game milestone.
Rioli was among the Hawks’ best performers with 18 disposals, nine tackles and a goal.
3. Sam Mitchell continues to deliver
Few players have been as consistent as star midfielder Sam Mitchell in 2015.
Again Mitchell was among the Hawks’ best, collecting 36 disposals – plus nine clearances and eight inside-50s – against the Eagles.
It was the 11th time the 32-year-old has collected 30 or more disposals this year.
4. Hawks can win tough
After an 18-point loss to Richmond, the Hawks needed to rebound against the Eagles.
They did so in wet and windy conditions – against one of the competition’s form sides.
5. Anywhere, anytime
If Hawks fans were worried about their team heading west in the first week of finals, Saturday’s win would have allayed those fears.
The Hawks became the first interstate team to beat the Eagles at Domain Stadium in 2015, and as Coach Alastair Clarkson said after the game, the Hawks will be ready to play anywhere, anytime.
However, the win keeps alive the Hawks’ hopes of a home final – the third-placed Hawks are now just two points behind the second-placed Eagles with four games to play.
