Young Hawk Finn Maginness has found his feet this season as Hawthorn’s go-to man tasked with restricting the opposition's finest.
Across the previous two seasons the 21-year-old managed just three games, but in 2022 he has started to come into his own as a key cog in a young and improving midfield.
Now under first-year coach Sam Mitchell, Maginness has arguably become one of the most impactful taggers currently within the competition.
See how Maginness’ direct opponents fared in the last six games below.
R17 VS ADELAIDE – JORDAN DAWSON
R17 15 disposals + 1 mark (season lows)
AVG. 24 disposals
Heading into this match, Jordan Dawson was averaging 26 disposals across the last nine previous rounds, causing headaches for the opposition.
But Maginness was determined to put a stop to the star's influence, keeping Dawson to a season low (and the lowest he’s had since Round 9, 2021) of 15 disposals.
Dawson had recorded at least six marks in 21 straight games before the match, which was the longest active streak of any player in the AFL in this category.
Against Maginness he only recorded the one.
Maginness also restricted Dawson's impact across several other categories including leaving him with two intercept possessions (6.7 season average), 258 metres gained (582) and one rebound 50 (6.1).
Although Dawson laid ten tackles, he had minimal impact on this game, while Maginness also laid seven tackles of his own.
R18 VS WEST COAST – TIM KELLY
R18 21 disposals + 1 mark (season low)
AVG. 24 disposals
In what was his 50th game for the Eagles, Tim Kelly faced a hard tag with Maginness following him around for the day.
Maginness kept the star to a peripheral role while producing an impressive offensive output himself.
Although Kelly managed to still record 21 touches, Maginness was able to provide an influence in the Hawks attacking half as well.
The young Hawk finished the day with a career-high 21 disposals, a game-high 12 score involvements and six marks.
R19 VS NORTH – JY SIMPKIN
R19 14 disposals (lowest since R16, 2020)
AVG. 27 disposals
Maginness put in another tagging masterclass against North Melbourne to shutdown influential midfielder Jy Simpkin.
The Kangaroo, who had 34 touches the previous week and has averaged 26 disposals this season, was limited to just 14 disposals for the game, his lowest tally since 2020.
Amidst the shutdown role, Maginness also managed to boot a goal himself.
R20 VS SAINTS – JACK SINCLAIR
R20 24 disposals
AVG. 28 disposals
Maginness did well to put the brakes on Jack Sinclair and Brad Crouch at different stages of the game against the Saints.
Sinclair finished with 24 disposals and just the one clearance, while Maginness also managed 22 disposals, seven tackles and three clearances of his own.
R21 VS GOLD COAST – TOUK MILLER
R21 21 disposals (lowest since R10) + 0 marks (season low)
AVG. 29 disposals
Tasked with the role of tackling Gold Coast’s vice-captain, Maginness again did not shy away from the challenge.
Miller finished the game with just 82 metres gained at 57 per cent efficiency.
With Miller curtailed, Hawthorn was able to break even out of the centre against a powerful Suns midfield to secure its ninth win of the season.
Finishing the game with 21 disposals, it was Miller’s lowest possession count since Round 10.
Maginness’ effort did not go unnoticed, earning five votes for his role on the ball-winner.
R22 VS TIGERS – SHAI BOLTON
R22 13 disposals + 0 marks (season lows)
AVG. 18 disposals
Maginness claimed another scalp on the weekend, restricting Shai Bolton to a season low 13 touches and a goal – arguably the star’s least impactful game all season.
Bolton’s season has seen him dominate games, and while he is not a big possession winner, he is capable of tearing a game apart.
But Maginness didn’t let Bolton get any space all day long, with his effort earning praise from Mitchell post game.
“There’s not too many positives that come out of today, but that was one,” Mitchell said.
“Bolton is a fantastic player – probably the most exciting player in the game at the moment – so for Finn to keep him to not many too possessions and only one shot at goal is a credit to him.”
