In a Tweet

The Rundown

Hawthorn faced the imposing task of taking on Richmond, the minor and reigning premiers, in its opening game of the club’s 2018 finals campaign. The Hawks matched the Tigers in the opening quarter, holding a one-point buffer at the first change. Some Dustin Martin brilliance in the second term saw the Tigers wrench the momentum back in their favour as the Hawks battled to stay in touch. But a dominant third quarter from Damian Hardwick’s side was where the match was won, as they dominated proceedings to take a 35-point lead into the final break. Despite the Hawks’ best efforts in the fourth quarter, they were unable to make much of a dint in the Tigers’ lead as the yellow and black progressed into a home preliminary final.

The Star

A tough tussle all night, Liam Shiels stood out as a Hawk that was truly up for the fight. Shiels was among his side’s leading ball-winners with 26 disposals on the night, while his 11 tackles and first-quarter goal put an exclamation mark on a gallant performance.

Read: In the mix

The Moment

Hawthorn had done everything through the first half to keep in touch with Richmond. The third quarter began in much the same fashion as both sides only managed a goal each in the opening half of the term. But, at the 13-minute mark of the quarter, the Tigers suddenly burst the game open after a Dion Prestia goal set off another three majors in the time the Hawks could manage just one.

The Coach

"We ended up having 20 more disposals than Richmond but 30 less inside 50s, so that tells you a little bit about our overuse (of the ball) and their preparedness just to get the ball forward and take ground with the ball." – Clarkson

 

RICHMOND     2.2       5.7     10.13   13.17 (95)
HAWTHORN   2.3       3.5      5.8       9.10 (64) 

GOALS
Richmond: McIntosh 3, Rioli 3, Caddy 2, Martin, Prestia, Higgins, Edwards, Graham
Hawthorn: Roughead 3, Shiels, Nash, Impey, Mitchell, Breust, Smith

BEST
Richmond: Martin, Prestia, Cotchin, Rioli, Lambert, Grimes, Grigg
Hawthorn: O'Meara, Mitchell, Shiels, Smith, Henderson, Sicily 

INJURIES 
Richmond: Rance (left foot)
Hawthorn: Ryan Schoenmakers (Achilles soreness) replaced in selected side by Daniel Howe, Hardwick (hip), Stratton (hamstring)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Rosebury, Deboy, Ryan

Official crowd: 91,446 at the MCG