PAUL Puopolo has inspired Hawthorn to a remarkable comeback victory over Adelaide, the small forward's fifth goal in the dying seconds securing a thrilling three-point win for the reigning premier at the MCG on Friday night.
The Hawks trailed by 15 points at the 18-minute of the final term when Crow Luke Brown goaled from outside 50m, but they kicked the final three goals of the game – two from Puopolo – to pinch a 17.10 (112) to 17.7 (109) win.
Puopolo's match-winner came when he received a free kick after Crows defender Brodie Smith fell on to his back. Taking his set shot from 40m, Puopolo split the middle and the Hawks had to negotiate just 18 more seconds for victory.
The Crows made it a nervous 18 seconds, pumping the ball deep into their forward line from the final centre bounce, but the Hawks weathered the storm and the four points were theirs in Shaun Burgoyne's 300th game.
Puopolo was outstanding all night, finishing with 23 possessions, six tackles, five clearances and three score assists.
Cyril Rioli was an able partner-in-crime for Puopolo in attack, finishing with four goals, including one at the 23-minute mark of the final term that dragged the Hawks to within three points.
The Crows worked overtime to deny Sam Mitchell the time and space he's been afforded so often this season, but the midfield star was still a prolific ball-winner for the Hawks with 31 possessions.
Captain Luke Hodge was a steadying influence in what was a frantic contest, while Isaac Smith's run was also important.
It was Hawthorn’s seventh consecutive win over the Crows, but the visitors lost no friends after what was a high-class contest.
Rory Sloane was inspiring for Adelaide, imposing himself on the contest at stoppages and in the open. Twelve of his 26 possessions were won in the first quarter when the Crows got off to a flying start and signalled they were up for the fight.
Scott Thompson continued his outstanding early-season form, racking up a game-high 33 possessions in the midfield, while Rory Atkins (27 possessions) and David Mackay (23) were damaging in open space for the Crows.
Tom Lynch was a tireless worker in attack and hurt the Hawks with twosecond-half goals, while Eddie Betts kicked three first-quarter majors – he had kicked just two goals in three previous games for Adelaide against Hawthorn – but faded from the game thereafter.
The Crows hit the Hawks hard from the first siren.
After an even opening to the game that had Hawthorn six points up at the 12-minute mark, the Crows slammed on the next five goals to jump out to a 24-point lead.
Significantly, it was Betts who did most of the damage, kicking three goals for the term.
Adelaide's early lead was built on its dominance at clearances (15-9) and contested possession (47-38), but a late goal to Tim O'Brien helped the Hawks claw to within 16 points at the first break.
Gunston conjured a remarkable goal earlier in the term, when he tapped the ball in front of himself near the boundary line with Crows defender Jake Lever on his hammer. Gunston's momentum carried him across the boundary line, but he kept the ball in play – somehow – as he ran behind the point post before darting back into play to ram a goal through from point-blank range.
As it has done so often in recent years, the reigning premier hit back quickly and fiercely.
Seizing control around the stoppages – they won the clearances 17-8 in the second term – the Hawks rammed on six goals to the Crows' three to go into the main break two points up.
Rioli was electrifying in this period, soccering a brilliant left-foot snap for the term's first goal and adding a second – his third for the half – after flying for a pack mark midway through the quarter.
The Crows then counter-punched with a four-goal-to-two third term to set up a tantalising final quarter.
MEDICAL ROOM
Hawthorn: Brad Hill came from the ground with the assistance of two trainers late in the first term after appearing to injure his left knee when he collected Crow Paul Seedsman's leg following through on a kick. Hill went into the rooms to be assessed, but came back on to the ground early in the second quarter and played out the rest of the game with his left knee strapped. Sam Mitchell also came from the ground early in the second quarter after being crunched in a heavy tackle, but after getting some treatment on his back returned to the ground soon after and finished as one of the Hawks' best players.
Adelaide: TBC.
NEXT UP
Hawthorn plays Greater Western Sydney next Saturday at Spotless Stadium, where it suffered its first loss against the Giants in round six last year. Adelaide will be looking to overcome a four-game losing streak against Fremantle when it hosts the Dockers at Adelaide Oval next Saturday.
HAWTHORN 4.3 10.5 12.6 17.10 (112)
ADELAIDE 7.1 10.3 14.6 17.7 (109)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Puopolo 5, Rioli 4, Sicily 2, Breust, Gunston, O'Brien, McEvoy, Ceglar, Smith
Adelaide: Betts 3, Jenkins 2, Walker 2, McGovern 2, Lyons 2, Lynch 2, Brown, Cameron, Seedsman, Sloane
BEST
Hawthorn: Puopolo, Mitchell, Rioli, Hodge, Smith
Adelaide: Sloane, Thompson, Atkins, Mackay, Lynch, Jacobs
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Hill (leg)
Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Foot, Nicholls, Ryan
Official crowd: 45,781 at the MCG
