Ahead of Carlton by 42 points at three quarter time, you would expect the Hawthorn huddle to be somewhat composed and satisfied with how the game had fared to that point.
Having led from the opening bounce, Hawthorn had been dominant throughout the majority of the day especially in the first half where they held the Blues to a single goal.
Yet in the third term, the Blues showed some fight, winning the quarter as they booted four goals.
Speaking to RSN on Monday, Hawthorn midfielder Liam Shiels said Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson wasn’t too impressed by his side’s lull in defensive intensity in the third quarter.
“Clarko was pretty fired up at three quarter time,” Shiels said.
“But we were able to respond in the final quarter and have a pretty solid victory in the end.”
The Hawks vice-captain said the team’s drift in the third quarter was the one sour note of the day.
“We have a few young players in there at the moment,” he said.
“And I think it is really about finding that consistency, not only week to week, but quarter to quarter as well.
“Right across the board we probably had 10 players drop off five or 10 per cent through the quarter which let Carlton back into it.”
Shiels was also keen to highlight the break-out performance from fellow midfielder James Worpel, who collected 32 touches in just his fourth AFL match.
“He is a strong unit, the Worpedo,” the 27-year-old said.
“In his fourth game of footy to be putting up those sorts of numbers is a pretty good effort.
“It’s exciting to get young blokes to come into the side and contribute to team success.”
