In a Tweet

The Rundown

Hawthorn and GWS entered this Round 15 clash at GIANTS Stadium with similar perspectives. The ninth-placed Hawks and the 10th-placed Giants had both proven they had what it took to play finals, but at that time sat just outside the eight. The hosts stormed out of the gates with a five-goal opening term to take a 24-point lead into the first change. But wayward kicking from the Giants (1.8) allowed the Hawks, who converted four of their five shots at goal for the second quarter, back into the game. Luke Breust had the chance to put the Hawks in front for the first time since the opening minute midway through the third term, but his shot went wide. The Giants then punished the Hawks, piling on three more before the end of the term. The Hawks were brave in the fourth quarter but GWS were ultimately able to do enough to stave off the visitors and record an 11-point victory.

Read: Key match-ups R8

The Star

Tom Mitchell recorded his third career 50-possession game in this clash, including nine clearances, seven inside 50s as well as 13 tackles. But the performance was not enough to earn the umpires’ complete admiration, with Callan Ward, 32 disposals, earning the three Brownlow votes on the day.

The Moment

With three goals to one in the first half of the final quarter, the Hawks were coming. Four minutes to go, the Hawks trailed by 10 points and certainly looked the side with all the momentum. But a long ball into the Giants forward line had found a mismatch, giant Giant Jon Patton on Jarman Impey. In his effort to defend Patton, Impey gave away a free kick and, from a tight angle, Patton was abe to convert and put the result beyond doubt.

The Coach

"We lacked some of the polish of GWS ... the scoreboard flattered us a little bit." – Clarkson

 

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     5.3     6.11    11.15    13.17 (95)
HAWTHORN                                1.3     5.4        9.5        13.6 (84)

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Lobb 3, Ward 2, de Boer, Himmelberg, Shiel, Hopper, Coniglio, Griffen, Whitfield, Patton
Hawthorn: Bruest 3, Puopolo 2, Roughead 2, Ceglar 2, McEvoy, Sicily, Henderson, Smith

BEST 
Greater Western Sydney: Ward, Whitfield, Coniglio, Shiel, Davis, Himmelberg
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Smith, Bruest, Sicily, O'Meara, Shiels 

INJURIES 
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Hawthorn: Langford (finger)

Reports: Nil 

Umpires: Williamson, Fleer, McInerney 

Official crowd: 10,866 at Spotless Stadium