Indigenous Round 'intrigue'
In the lead-up to Friday night's Indigenous Round match-up against the Swans, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson highlighted that the indigenous superstar presence of Shaun Burgoyne and Lance Franklin would add 'intrigue' to an already mouthwatering duel.
Well, the four-time premiership coach's predictions couldn't have proved more correct.
Both wearing the number 67 guernsey to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum, Franklin and Burgoyne shone on the big stage to pose as their respective sides' match-winner as the minutes counted down.
Franklin was at his dominant best, winning the Goodes-O'Loughlin Medal for a five-goal effort that thrilled the 36,221 fans and took him into the game's all-time top 10 goal kickers.
But Burgoyne was the true hero, as his fourth-quarter goal from outside 50m capped off yet another dazzling display when the Hawks needed it most.
"Particularly in Indigenous Round, you've got Bud (Franklin) who's played particularly well for Sydney, and Shaun. They've just been great ambassadors for the game," Clarkson told his post-match press conference.
"It was a pretty significant milestone for all Aboriginal people, but particularly for those two boys. They've been the pin-up boys, I suppose, and carrying the can for their people for a long period of time."
Read: Shiels' describes the Round 10 performance as "A four quarter effort"
Captain's goal
Hawthorn captain Jarryd Roughead was the match-winner on Friday night with a clutch set shot to sink Sydney with just over a minute left in the game.
Roughead was yet to kick a goal before a Ty Vickery kick found the skipper 50m out on a 45-degree angle.
But, composed, the 30-year old went back, understood it was his moment in the game and confidently slotted through the goal to cap off an outstanding Hawthorn win.
"Both [Burgoyne] and Roughead, kicking 55-metre goals in the last quarter, it's pretty special," Clarkson said after the game.
Watch: Clarkson's post match press conference
Swans struck by injury struggle
The Hawks were given a massive boost only moments after the opening bounce when gun Swan Jake Lloyd suffered a concussion.
The 23-year old failed a concussion test, as his night was deemed over before it had barely started.
Lloyd has been one of Sydney's best players over the first nine rounds of the season, averaging 30.3 disposals to lead all of his teammates.
The Swans were then hit with a second concussion injury when forward Sam Reid came off second-best after a ferocious Shaun Burgoyne tackle in the second quarter.
Despite his best efforts, Reid was not able to return to the field as the Swans were left to deal with two key players stuck on their bench for the entire second half.
Power play
Hawthorn now set their sights on a monster Round 11 match-up against Port Adelaide in Adelaide next Thursday night.
The Power will be looking to avenge for their heart-breaking final seconds loss to Geelong on Thursday night, while a Hawthorn win would draw them equal on premiership points to the finals-fancied Port.
The Hawks will be hoping to regain luckless defender Grant Birchall to their line-up, as they set themselves for yet another make-or-break clash.
