In a Tweet

 

The Rundown

After a run of three consecutive three-point wins, the Hawks were stunned by a Greater Western Sydney side keen to have their name acknowledged as a heavyweight.

The entire potency of the Giants attack was on show as their starting forward line each kicked at least three goals.

For the Hawks, sharpshooter Jack Gunston was a rare shining light as he finished with five majors, whilst Luke Breust also chipped in with three goals.

But the day belonged to the Giants, as the home side dominated all the key statistical areas, having almost 100 more disposals than the Hawks, and winning the contested possession count (153-114), clearances (47-29), and tackles (63-41). 

The Star

Up and coming star Giant Stephen Coniglio played a major role for his team both offensively and defensively. Picking up 30 disposals himself, he also played a role of nullifying Hawk onballer Sam Mitchell, whose influence was noticeably quelled. Coniglio laid nine tackles in the game, typifying his workmanlike performance.

The Moment

Not so much a moment, as an influential quarter: the Giants had burst out of the blocks in the opening term and were looking to consolidate in the second quarter. Mercurial talent Steve Johnson put his hand up in a big way, kicking three characteristically entertaining goals for the quarter (adding to his two in the first quarter) and, in doing so, ensuring the Hawks would struggle to get another look in for the game.

Read: Match preview Round 16

The Coach

"We were in the contest for small patches of the game but by and large they controlled the game. I don't think there was a facet of the game that we were stronger than GWS in tonight."- Alastair Clarkson

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 7.3 13.6 19.10 24.14 (158)
HAWTHORN 2.1 6.3 9.6 12.11 (83) 

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Johnson 5, Lobb 4, Cameron, Scully, Greene, Palmer 3, Whitfield 2, Ward
Hawthorn: Gunston 5, Breust 3, Puopolo 2, Howe, Rioli 

BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Shaw, Coniglio, Shiel, Lobb, Ward, Johnson, Whitfield
Hawthorn: Gunston, Breust, Birchall 

INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Griffen (back) replaced in the selected side by Haynes
Hawthorn: Frawley (concussion)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Foot, Ryan, McInerney

Official crowd: 13,766 at Spotless Stadium