In a Tweet

The Rundown

Hawthorn entered this Round 8 clash with Brisbane, having only registered two wins to that point in the season. The stage was set for the Hawks to improve their record as they faced a young Lions side at their favoured Launceston venue.

Despite conceding the first goal of the game, the Hawks were able to quickly regain the lead, which they then held comfortably for the remainder of the game.

The Hawks built on their lead at every change and the final margin of 38 points was a fitting depiction of the control the Hawks had over the entire game.

Yet the win took its toll on the Hawks' line-up with injuries to Cyril Rioli, Ben Stratton and James Frawley marring what was otherwise a pleasing day for the Hawks.

The Star

Recruit Tom Mitchell continued his prolific run of form against the Lions, with the ball magnet churning out another dominant performance. Mitchell picked up 36 possessions (13 of which were contested), six marks, six clearances and nine tackles, as he led the Hawthorn midfield from the front.

The Moment

Despite Hawthorn’s ascendency for the majority of the game, the Lions had managed to keep within earshot of the Hawks to the halfway point in the last quarter. A goal to Lions forward Josh Walker saw the visitors pull the margin back to 21 points.

The Hawks needed a stabilising goal and that came from vice-captain Liam Shiels. In his 150th match, Shiels emerged from a stoppage on the Hawks’ forward flank and skilfully slotted through an important goal that would weaken the Lions’ charge and confirm victory for the Hawks.

The Coach

"By and large, we're pleased with the win but lick our wounds a bit. We've got a couple of injured boys late in the game, so we'll just have to see how they come out of their scans early next week to determine the extent of their injuries”.

  • Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson

HAWTHORN             4.3    7.7   11.11    17.11 (113)
BRISBANE LIONS    2.2   5.4    7.6        11.9 (75)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Henderson 3, Roughead 2, Smith 2, O’Brien 2, Gunston, Rioli, Hartung, McEvoy, Howe, Shiels, Breust, Burgoyne
Brisbane Lions: Hipwood 2, Walker 2, Barrett 2, Berry, Bell, Bewick, Rockliff, Lester 

BEST 
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Burton, Howe, Hartung, Smith, Hodge, Henderson
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff, Martin, Rich, Hipwood, Lester, Zorko

INJURIES 
Hawthorn: Stratton (knee), Rioli (knee)
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff (shoulder) 

Reports: Isaac Smith (Hawthorn) reported for striking Nick Robertson (Brisbane Lions).

Umpires: O’Gorman, Jeffery, Mitchell

Official crowd: 10,553 at University of Tasmania Stadium