Dogs run home
Coming off a scintillating seven-goal third quarter, the Hawks looked set to record their second win in the opening fortnight of the season as they took a 30-point lead into the final change. But it was instead the Bulldogs’ turn for a swing of momentum as Luke Beveridge’s men came storming home with nine final quarter goals. With Liam Shiels and Shaun Burgoyne injured on the bench, Hawthorn looked helpless as the Western Bulldogs took control in an unbelievable final term.
The wingman’s return
The Hawks surprised the football world when they named Tom Scully in their side to take on the Bulldogs in Round 2. Since his arrival at the club in October, much of the commentary surrounding Scully had suggested he wouldn’t be sighted until at least the middle of the year. But, exactly 365 days since the former Giant had stepped out onto an AFL field, Scully made his debut in the brown and gold. The 27-year-old finished with 15 disposals in a promising first hit-out, with the Hawthorn crowd cheering his every touch.
The whistles
The umpires were thrown into the spotlight following a handful of decisions made in a controversial final quarter in Sunday’s game. Jaeger O’Meara had a Hawthorn free kick reversed as he made contact with Jack Macrae’s chest. James Sicily was penalised for a tussle at the top of the goal square which resulted in a goal while James Worpel copped a rare whistle for walking through the centre circle.
The injury room
Premiership pair Shaun Burgoyne and Liam Shiels both succumbed to hamstring injuries in Sunday’s game. The Hawks were forced to play the final quarter with both players restricted to the bench. Hawthorn will now wait to see the results of scans on Monday to see if the pair will be sidelined further.
