In a Tweet
What a game! It was close all day but we've locked a top four spot! #AFLHawksPies #HawthornAlways pic.twitter.com/U1IOTARk4o
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) August 28, 2016
The Rundown
The lowly Pies forced Hawthorn to dig deep early in the game, as the Magpies put together a strong first half that would see them enter the main break with an 11-point buffer.
Collingwood star Adam Treloar was held to zero touches in the first quarter, but responded in the second term to have 16 touches for the quarter, he would finish with the game-high 36 disposals.
A frustrated Alastair Clarkson made his displeasure known in the coach's box, and his troops responded in the second half by kicking six goals to two in the third term.
But after taking a two-goal lead into the final change, the Hawks found themselves down by a goal at the 27-minute mark of the final stanza.
Enter Jack Fitzpatrick. As the fill-in ruckman kicked a spectacular, long goal in the dying minutes to bring the Hawks toward a thrilling triumph.
The win meant that the Hawks recorded their sixth single digit victory of the season, and cemented their spot in the top four.
The Star
It was a typical Cyril Rioli game. The champion small forward’s stat sheet may not have seemed overly impressive but the way he dealt his 11 disposals was certainly a significant factor in getting the Hawks over the line. Kicking three goals himself and assisting in three more, Rioli had a major influence on the game.
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The Moment
He was the unlikeliest of heroes. In his first game in the brown and gold, Jack Fitzpatrick had had a relatively quiet game. But as he burst from a pack and threw it on his boot from inside the centre square, his moment arrived and he kicked the goal that would draw the Hawks even, facilitating an exhilarating victory.
The Coach
“We got what we set out to achieve at the start of the year, and that was a top four position and double chance. In the context of the whole home and away, to go 17-5 and cope with the ins and outs of a home and away series has been really pleasing for us”.- Alastair Clarkson
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HAWTHORN 2.4 7.7 13.8 17.10 (112)
COLLINGWOOD 4.2 9.6 11.8 17.9 (111)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Breust 3, Rioli 3, Hartung 2, Burgoyne 2, Fitzpatrick 2, Gunston, Puopolo, Hodge, Lewis, Sicily
Collingwood: Crocker 3, De Goey 2, White 2, Greenwood 2, Blair 2, Treloar 2, Cloke 2, Goldsack, Grundy
BEST
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Rioli, Burgoyne, Breust, Birchell, Lewis, Hodge
Collingwood: Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Treloar, Grundy, Crocker, Phillips
INJURIES
Hawthorn: McEvoy (back soreness, replaced in selected side by Pittonet)
Collingwood: Aish (hamstring)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Bannister, Chamberlain
Official crowd: 52,968 at the MCG