1. Unsociable Hawks lignite spiteful clash
Hawthorn is bracing for the loss of its captain and vice-captain to possible suspensions after two ugly first-quarter incidents. Hawks skipper Luke Hodge sparked a melee when, in an uncharacteristic act of ill-discipline, he lashed out and connected with an elbow to North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow's head. Minutes later the players were at each other's throats again when Jordan Lewis collected Todd Goldstein late and high in a marking contest. Lewis was reported for striking, while Hodge's hit is certain to come under the Match Review Panel's scrutiny. Taylor Duryea might also be investigated for a blow to Swallow's stomach.
2. Roos skipper cops a battering
Andrew Swallow's courage has never been in doubt, but the North Melbourne captain only enhanced his reputation as a tough nut on Saturday night. Swallow copped it from all comers. In the first term, he received a free kick when he was punched in the stomach by Taylor Duryea at a stoppage and booted his side's second goal. Soon after he wore Hodge's elbow to his head and needed attention, then in the third quarter he was the meat in a Sam Mitchell and Ben Stratton sandwich. Swallow (14 touches, seven contested) had to be substituted while he was checked for concussion and will surely be feeling sore and sorry on Sunday.
3. Hawthorn's depleted defence holds up
With the Hawks missing four key defenders to injury, the Roos went into the match with a clear height advantage up forward and the memory of their big men dominating Hawthorn in last year's 20-point triumph. But this time the Hawks proved that size isn't everything. Two-metre tall Ben Brown was the Roos' most potent forward, booting three goals, and he had the better of recalled Ryan Schoenmakers. Although North veteran Drew Petrie (two goals) and late inclusion Aaron Black (nil) had their moments, Josh Gibson and Ben Stratton won their respective match-ups on points.
4. Brutal Hawks make a statement
Some pundits were questioning Hawthorn's sharpness after its slightly off-beat 2-2 start to 2015, but it only took one quarter to remind the competition of their capabilities. In three of their first four games this season, the reigning premiers had trailed a quarter-time – including by seven goals after Port Adelaide's astonishing ambush last round. But the Hawks came out swinging – literally and on the scoreboard – against the Roos and with 10 scoring shots to North's four in the opening stanza, they made their statement.
5. The 'Eddie Betts rule' gets a workout
Those campaigning to get rid of the NAB Challenge might ponder the benefit of what was dubbed the 'Eddie Betts rule' during the pre-season competition. The AFL changed a rule after Adelaide small forward Betts was denied a goal when he kicked what would have been a certain major into the goal umpire, with the ball rebounding into play and 'Play on' called. The changed interpretation helped the Hawks in the third term when Jack Gunston's shot cannoned into the goal umpire. After a score review, he was awarded a six-pointer. It goes to show the pre-season competition isn't beneficial just for players' match practice.
