1. Brave Bombers stun the Hawks
After stopping dead in their tracks against the Sydney Swans in round one, the burning question was: could the Bombers run out four quarters a week later? The answer: a resounding 'Yes'. To the delight of a massive pro-Dons crowd and the club's onlooking 1984-85 premiership heroes, the Bombers snatched a famous victory from the jaws of defeat by booting the final three goals of the game. In the dying minutes, the Bombers willed themselves back from 11 points down thanks to majors from Jake Carlisle, Travis Colyer and an incredible snap around his body by defender Cale Hooker.
2. Gunston torments new Bomber
There are few tougher defensive assignments than shutting down Jack Gunston, as former Saints backman James Gwilt could attest to in the third term. Gwilt nullified the Hawks star before half-time – despite Gunston gathering 10 touches – but found out just how damaging the mobile 193cm big man can be after the re-start. In the space of 19 minutes, Gunston turned the match on its head, booting 3.1 in a burst that looked to have the Hawks on track for victory.
3. New Hawks earn their stripes
Hawthorn fans got a glimpse into the future with James Sicily and prized recruit Jono O'Rourke appearing in the brown and gold for the first time. Western Jets product Sicily, 19, got his chance earlier than expected after he was subbed into the game for James Frawley (right shoulder) in the first term. The high-marking forward narrowly missed out on joining the first kick, first goal club but showed enough to suggest the Hawks have found another player in the depths of the draft (pick 56 in 2013). O'Rourke, the former No.2 pick and ex-Giant, stood up under Essendon's fierce pressure and should hold his spot after collecting 16 disposals.
4. Stanton's smother saves the day
With the Hawks rushing the ball forward in desperation in the final minute, the Dons piled back into defence in huge numbers. As the ball bounced around the forward 50, first-game Hawk Jono O'Rourke found himself with the ball and snapped a shot from 40m for the match-winning goal. But Brent Stanton charged down the kick with a game-saving smother – allowing the exhausted Dons to drive the ball down the ground. A stoppage on centre wing gave the Hawks one last gasp and Luke Breust roved a marking contest and was running into an open goal when the final siren sounded, barely a moment before he put the ball onto his boat and split the middle.
5. Was it a throw from Puopolo?
With scores locked-up at 58-all early in the final term, Paul Puopolo palmed a high ball down to Jordan Lewis who booted a brilliant bouncing goal from 30m out deep in the pocket. But as the vice-captain wheeled away to celebrate the umpire blew his whistle to penalise Puopolo for a throw. It was a controversial call at a critical moment in the match with the Dons holding on for dear life. The decision looked irrelevant as the Hawks took control in the final term, but is sure to spark debate after the Bombers' barnstorming comeback.
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