Hawthorn’s VFLW side has experienced its first loss in four weeks, going down to the Southern Saints by 27 points on Sunday at Trevor Barker Oval.
The Saints were the first to get on the scoreboard with a quick goal from Kate McCarthy.
However, Hawthorn snapped up the momentum not long after, Phoebe McWilliams, who was a strong force up forward all day, registering the Hawks’ first major.
After a few missed opportunities in front of goals, Hawthorn lead by three points at the first break.
The second quarter the home side came out firing and quickly pushed out in front, after goals from Kate Shierlaw and Molly McDonald.
Despite this three goal turn around from the Saints, Hawthorn showed tremendous effort and stayed strong against the top two side, but struggled to show this effort on the scoreboard with a 16-point deficit at the major break.
The third term saw the Hawks fight hard to gain back the momentum, keeping the Saints goalless.
McWilliams again proved strong up forward and booted her second goal of the day, pushing Hawthorn to within 10 points of the opposition at the final break.
The last quarter was the toughest for the Hawks, who were unable to keep up with the Saints’ forward pressure, letting through three straight goals to the home side.
Young Hawk Tayah Kelly kicked her first goal in the brown and gold in the last moments of the game, but this was the only goal for Hawthorn during the final quarter as the Saints ran away victors 7.9 (51) to 3.6 (24).
With only one more game left for the season, Hawthorn will need to defeat Collingwood for a chance at finals footy.
They head back home to face the Pies on Saturday the 24th of August, 11:30am at Box Hill City Oval.
HAWTHORN 1.3 1.5 2.6 3.6 (24)
SOUTHERN SAINTS 1.0 4.3 4.4 7.9 (51)
GOALS
Hawthorn: McWilliams 2, Kelly
Southern Saints: McDonald 2, McCarthy 2, Mackie, Bohanna, Shierlaw
BEST
Hawthorn: Radan, Beeson, Dillon, McWilliams, Wotton, Membrey
Southern Saints: O'Neill, Johnson, Lucas-Rodd, McCarthy, McDonald, Vesely
