It wasn’t to be for the VFLW Hawks on Saturday, going down to Essendon by 53 points in a tough Qualifying Final.

Despite the home team leading on the scoreboard, it was a tightly contested game in the early quarters. The Bombers struggled with accuracy as the Hawks applied their well-known defensive pressure.

However, Hawthorn couldn’t convert on the scoreboard and went into half-time scoreless.

At the main break, coach Cherie O’Neill encouraged the team to capitalise on the wind, which was an influential feature of the game.

In the third term, Jordan Mifsud powered through and slotted a much-needed goal for the Hawks.

Momentum was then quashed shortly after as Essendon kicked two quick majors and sucked the wind out of the Hawthorn sails.

The Bombers continued to kick ahead in the final quarter with a punishing lead that the Hawks couldn’t scrape away at.

The team’s spirits were lifted at the end of the game though, as they chaired off 100-gamer Jess Trend.

Throughout the clash, Hawthorn tried to combat the Bombers by switching up player positions. This led to Nadia Von Bertouch and Grace Walsh playing at both ends of the ground at different points of the game.

In terms of stat leaders, Mifsud had an outstanding 11 tackles and 15 disposals while Abbey Holmes stood up with 17 possessions.

Despite the result, the Hawks remain confident in their quest to down the Southern Saints in Sunday’s Semi Final.

HAWTHORN: 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 (7)

ESSENDON: 1.4 | 2.8 | 5.10 | 8.12 (60)

Goals: Mifsud