Round 10
St Kilda v Hawthorn
June 7, Etihad Stadium
HAWTHORN ended its rollercoaster start to the season, notching consecutive victories for the first time in 2015.
The Hawks backed up their Round 9 win over Gold Coast Suns with a 63-point win against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
After a tight first quarter, the Hawks kicked away, extending their lead at every interval.
Sam Mitchell was prolific, racking up 35 disposals, while Billy Hartung (26 disposals) and Luke Hodge (25 disposals) also found plenty of the ball – but the Saints still collected 52 more disposals than the Hawks.
Jack Gunston and Jarryd Roughead kicked three goals apiece, to be among 12 goalkickers.
ST KILDA 2.3 3.5 7.8 10.9 (69)
HAWTHORN 4.5 8.10 14.11 20.12 (132)
Goals: Gunston 3, Roughead 3, Hodge 2, Schoenmakers 2, Shiels 2, Hill 2, Hartung, Lewis, Rioli, Breust, Duryea, Smith
Best: Mitchell, Ceglar, Hartung, Hodge, Lewis
Injuries: Nil
Substitute: Angus Litherland replaced Brian Lake at three-quarter time
Round 11
BYE
Round 12
Adelaide Crows v Hawthorn
June 18, Adelaide Oval
THE Hawks withstood multiple challenges from a determined Adelaide Crows outfit to record a 29-point win at Adelaide Oval.
In an entertaining contest, the Hawks attained a 13-point lead at quarter time and increased their advantage by three points heading into the major break.
But the Crows refused to go away, hitting the front midway through the third term, before the Hawks fought back to again take a three-kick advantage into the final term.
"They (Adelaide) challenged really seriously at a couple of stages, particularly through the third quarter and for us to just settle and get the game back on our terms a really good, grinding victory for our side," Hawthorn Coach Alastair Clarkson said.
Skipper Luke Hodge and Liam Shiels led the way with 25 disposals each, while Isaac Smith also had a big influence with 21 disposals and two goals.
Ruckman David Hale also played an important role, as did Shaun Burgoyne.
ADELAIDE 4.1 7.2 11.7 12.12 (84)
HAWTHORN 6.2 9.6 13.9 17.12 (114)
Goals: Breust 3, Hale 2, Smith 2, Burgoyne, Duryea, Hill, Puopolo, Shiels, Suckling, Ceglar, Hodge, Rioli, Hartung
Best: Hodge, Shiels, Smith, Mitchell, Hale, Burgoyne, Gibson
Injuries: Gunston (dislocated finger)
Substitute: Billy Hartung replaced Ryan Schoenmakers at three-quarter time
Round 13
Hawthorn v Essendon
June 27, MCG
A 38-point win against Essendon saw the Hawks return to the top four for the first time since Round 5.
The Bombers took the chocolates when the sides met for the first time in 2015, in Round 2, and looked a serious chance to do the same in the first half.
Only one point separated the sides at the first two intervals – the Bombers led by a point at quarter time, and the Hawks by a point at half time.
But a six-goal-to-two third term helped the Hawks establish a 30-point lead by three quarter time, which extended by a further eight points at final siren.
James Frawley suffered a shoulder injury and was subbed out in the second quarter, but the Hawks soldiered on.
Sam Mitchell again racked up more than 30 disposals, while Jack Gunston finished with 3.4 from 15 disposals and 10 marks.
Jarryd Roughead, Liam Shiels and Josh Gibson also dished up impressive performances.
HAWTHORN 2.4 5.8 11.14 16.18 (114)
ESSENDON 2.5 5.7 7.8 11.10 (76)
Goals: Puopolo 4, Gunston 3, Hill 3, Suckling 2, Smith, Breust, Langford, Roughead
Best: Mitchell, Gunston, Puopolo, Lake, Roughead, Gibson
Injuries: James Frawley (shoulder), Sam Mitchell (corked leg)
Substitute: Matthew Suckling replaced James Frawley in the second quarter
