In a Tweet
We didn't lie down, but Port were the far better side on the night.
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) June 1, 2017
That was tough.#AFLPowerHawks #StrongAsOne pic.twitter.com/yiXQNsng9A
The Rundown
Hawthorn travelled to the Adelaide Oval for what finished up a horror night for the Hawks.
From the first bounce it was clear that the Power were on, producing a ruthless six-goal to none first term as they were strong around the contest and moved the ball with precision.
Charlie Dixon was dominant up forward kicking two first term goals in an impressive display as the Power’s swarming pressure forced the Hawks into some critical turnovers in their back half.
Port continued to run rampant piling on a further three unanswered goals after the first break with the Hawks managing only a mere three behinds – their lowest first-half score in the club’s history.
James Siciliy finally broke through for the side’s first major after receiving a free kick in front of goal early in the third term, as the Hawks strung three in a row together via Paul Puopolo and Luke Breust, despite the result appearing a fait accompli.
A four-goal final term saw the Hawks win the second half and restore some respectability in what was otherwise a night to forget.
The Star
Ryan Burton continued his superb form in 2017 gathering 25 possessions along with 11 marks against the Power.
The second year defender provided valuable drive from the back half in what was a gloomy night for the Hawks, with the South Australian finishing with four rebound 50s, four inside 50s as well as five tackles.
The Moment
In the opening stages of the game, a forward foray by Isaac Smith from half back was intercepted by Port’s Hamish Hartlett who sent the back inside 50 to the leading Charlie Dixon who marked right on the boundary line.
Dixon went back and from 30 metres out on a tight angle, curled the ball through for an impressive goal in what was a moment that foretold the story of the night.
The Coach
"We've got a young group, still led by some experienced players who have got some pride in their performance, we hung in there and won the last two quarters.”
- Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson
PORT ADELAIDE 6.5 9.8 10.15 13.20 (98)
HAWTHORN 0.0 0.3 3.4 7.5 (47)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Dixon 4, Impey 2, S.Gray, Ah Chee, Powell-Pepper, R.Gray, Broadbent, Boak, Ryder
Hawthorn: Sicily 2, Roughead 2, Breust 2, Puopolo
BEST
Port Adelaide: Ebert, Dixon, Wines, Ah Chee, Hartlett, Hombsch, Polec
Hawthorn: Burton, Mitchell, Hodge
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Dagleigh, Chamberlain, Findlay, Fleer
Official crowd: 37,910