Round 20
Geelong v Hawthorn
August 15, MCG
HAWTHORN recorded their fourth consecutive win against Geelong, overcoming the Cats by 36 points in Round 20.
Cyril Rioli kicked an equal career-best six majors to lead the way for the Hawks.
A seven-goal-to-three opening term helped the Hawks established a handy lead by the first change, before the Cats cut the margin back to 21 points at the major break.
But a ten-goal-to-six second half ensured back-to-back wins for the Hawks, and finished a streak of four wins in a row from the Cats.
Liam Shiels was influential for the Hawks with 25 disposals and 11 tackles, while Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Grant Birchall were all among the Hawks’ best.
Hodge also kicked four goals, while Breust chipped in with three and Roughead two.
GEELONG 3.2 6.7 10.8 12.13 (85)
HAWTHORN 7.2 9.4 15.7 19.7 (121)
Goals: Rioli 6, Hodge 4, Breust 3, Roughead 2, Shiels, Gunston, Smith, Puopolo
Best: Rioli, Hodge, Mitchell, Shiels, Breust, Birchall, McEvoy, Puopolo
Injuries: Nil
Substitute: David Hale replaced by Daniel Howe in the fourth quarter
Round 21
Hawthorn v Port Adelaide
August 21, Etihad Stadium
CLAIMING a top-two finish hit a snag, when Hawthorn was upset by Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.
The Power led by a point at three quarter time, before running out the stronger of the two sides in the final term to claim a 22-point win.
It was the Power’s second win against the Hawks in 2015, after the Hawks’ preliminary final triumph the season before.
Josh Gibson, Jordan Lewis, Shaun Burgoyne and Isaac Smith were among the Hawks’ best players, while Jack Gunston kicked three goals.
Sam Mitchell finished with 27 disposals, while Smith and Lewis collected 26 each.
HAWTHORN 2.3 5.6 11.7 13.8 (86)
PORT ADELAIDE 4.5 7.5 11.8 16.12 (108)
Goals: Gunston 3, Roughead 2, Suckling 2, Rioli 2, Shiels, Lewis, Burgoyne, Puopolo
Best: Gibson, Lewis, Burgoyne, Smith, Mitchell, Gunston
Injuries: Hale (general soreness) replaced in selected side by Duryea
Substitute: Brian Lake replaced by Billy Hartung in the third quarter
Round 22
Hawthorn v Brisbane Lions
August 29, Aurora Stadium
JACK Gunston celebrated his 100th AFL game in style, kicking four goals as the Hawks rebounded with 72-point win over Brisbane Lions at Aurora Stadium.
The Lions held a three-goal lead at quarter time, but from there the Hawks took control.
A 10-goal-to-one second term set up a thumping win.
The Hawks were without Luke Hodge (suspension), Sam Mitchell (illness) and Paul Puopolo (injury), but Will Langford made a successful senior return and young guns James Sicily and Daniel Howe both benefitted from senior opportunity.
Liam Shiels racked up 34 disposals, while Jordan Lewis (31 disposals), Bradley Hill (30), Jarryd Roughead (30) and Shaun Burgoyne (29) also found plenty of the ball.
Roughead also finished with three goals, as did defender-turned-forward James Frawley.
HAWTHORN 1.3 11.4 15.5 21.8 (134)
BRISBANE LIONS 4.2 5.6 8.8 9.8 (62)
Goals: Gunston 4, Roughead 3, Frawley 3, Suckling 2, Sicily 2, Burgoyne, Hill, Smith, Shiels, Rioli, Hale, McEvoy
Best: Shiels, Gunston, Lewis, Roughead, Hill
Injuries: Nil
Substitute: Billy Hartung replaced Isaac Smith in the third quarter
Round 23
Hawthorn v Carlton
September 5, MCG
HAWTHORN tuned up for its finals campaign with a strong 57-point win against Carlton at the MCG.
The Hawks locked in third place on the ladder, while consigning the Blues to the wooden spoon.
Influential midfielder Isaac Smith suffered an injury scare, but it was the only sore point for the Hawks.
Jarryd Roughead and Jack Gunston both proved a handful in front of goal, kicking four each, while James Frawley kicked his second consecutive bag of three.
After missing the Hawks’ Round 22 match with illness, Sam Mitchell returned in fine form, collecting 34 disposals, while Jordan Lewis and Josh Gibson were also influential.
First-year Hawk Daniel Howe played arguably his best game in the brown and gold, picking up 21 disposals, nine marks and five tackles to prove his capabilities at the top level.
HAWTHORN 5.3 9.5 14.7 17.11 (113)
CARLTON 1.2 4.5 5.7 8.8 (56)
Goals: Roughead 4, Gunston 4, Frawley 3, Puopolo, Birchall, Sicily, Lewis, Hill, Shiels
Best: Mitchell, Gibson, Hill, Roughead, Lewis, Gunston
Injuries: Smith (knee)
Substitute: Angus Litherland replaced Shaun Burgoyne at halftime
RELATED
Top 10 goals: Round 17 to Round 19
