1. How good is Ben Stratton?

Coach Alastair Clarkson probably summed it up best post-game.

"He's pretty unheralded, but hugely regarded in the walls of our footy club.”

Tall or small, Ben Stratton has shut down some of the competition’s best forwards. Again on Sunday, he had a big role, and again he played it perfectly.

Stratton kept star Bulldog Jake Stringer to just one goal – courtesy of a free-kick late in the final quarter – to be among the best in our hard-fought win. 

2. Stats aren’t everything

The Bulldogs won the disposal count (418-331), clearances (46-30), inside 50s (51-46) and contested possessions (161-132).

Nine Bulldogs had 20 or more disposals, compared to four Hawks.

But the scoreboard was three point in the Hawks’ favour at full time.

Just as they have done plenty of times in the past couple of years, the Hawks found a way to get over the line when it mattered.

3. Sicily backs it up

Fresh from a four-goal haul against the West Coast Eagles, emerging forward James Sicily again stepped up when the Hawks needed him to.

The sixth-gamer was well held in the first three quarters, but proved the match-winner with three final term goals.

His cool finish with less than two minutes to go was all class – giving the Hawks the lead and the win.

4. Fast-starting Hawks

For the second week in a row, the Hawks have got off to a fast start.

Against the Eagles in Round 2, the Hawks kicked the first five goals before overcoming an Eagles fightback.

On the weekend, the Hawks kicked the first five goals as well, before the Bulldogs bounced back. 

5. Shaun Burgoyne rises to the occasion 

When the pressure is on, Shaun Burgoyne steps up.

It’s just a fact. 

The 298-game veteran again delivered the goods for the Hawks in the final term, picking up six contested disposals, four clearances and three tackles.

For the match, Burgoyne tallied 18 disposals and a game-high 10 tackles, proving just how important he is when the pressure is at its greatest.