1. New and old territory as Hawks soar above 30 touches
After breaking the record a fortnight ago, Tom Mitchell continues to etch his name in history with a 14th consecutive 30+ disposal game. He finished the match with a game-high 37, and was a cool head for the Hawks when the Dockers threatened in the second term. He was joined in the 30+ territory by Jack Gunston, who finished with a career-high 35 disposals - smashing his previous best of 26. The crafty goal-kicker has been reborn as a defender in recent weeks and seems to be enjoying his time in the back half - although showed he's still more than capable with ball in hand, booting a brilliant goal from 50 in the final term.
2. Glass half full
It was hard to miss the Hawks’ redhead debutant from County Derry in Ireland. Even Conor Glass’ fluorescent beard lit up Domain Stadium when he skipped on to an AFL field for the first time seven minutes into the first term (when Luke Hodge had to depart via the blood rule). Dead set, you just about needed sunglasses. Glass didn’t take long to get amongst the action and had five touches by quarter-time. He’s got plenty of speed and looked composed across half-back. He did plenty of good things in a very promising debut.
3. Richest man in Freo
Nat Fyfe put to bed any thoughts of heading east, signing a six-year mega deal with Freo this week, and he set to work leading the way as the Dockers battled to get into the game. Without dominating, Fyfe’s tackling and body work in the clinches ensured the Hawks didn’t get too far away and he pulled down a spectacular grab in the opening term to set the tone. Fyfe also kicked a fantastic goal in the final quarter after winning the centre clearance, but his best efforts weren’t enough to get his side over the Hawks.
4. Pest below his best
Hayden Ballantyne has been a stellar performer for many years at Fremantle but has been going nowhere for a few weeks now, being held to a total of 12 possessions and just one goal in his past two matches before last night. He started the Hawks clash terribly as well with just the one ineffective kick in the opening term, then his first, and only, kick of the second term was out on the full, which Champion Data rated as a clanger. He was the recipient of a gift from Haydn Crozier for a close-range goal in the third term but again looked miles off his best. Coach Ross Lyon has stuck with him and playing in his favour are the struggles of possible replacement Harley Bennell, who had just the two kicks among five touches in the WAFL yesterday, and the leg injury to Michael Walters who limped off early in the last term. But time could be running out for the 30-year-old.
5. Soft Schoey shuffle
He wasn’t quite wearing blue suede shoes, but big Hawk Ryan Schoenmakers unveiled his own Schoey shuffle at Domain Stadium. Lining up for the opening goal of the match, he trotted in, paused, stopped then shimmied again before nailing his set shot from 30m. It set the tone for a red-hot Hawks start as they slammed on four unanswered goals to get the jump on Freo. It allowed the Hawks to continue some good road form in 2017. They are the only team to beat Sydney for a couple of months (at the SCG no less) and knocked off ladder-leaders Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Last night the Hawks had the game pretty much in control after their strong start and ended with a flurry.
