What a massive weekend of footy we’ve just had!

The Hawks got home in a thriller against the Sydney Swans, kicking the last two goals to win by five points at the SCG.

Catch up on ten things that you may have missed over the weekend with our Weekend Wrap!

 

Hawks make it seven in a row

Hawthorn saw off fellow premiership threat the Sydney Swans by five points at the SCG in a titanic battle.

Cyril Rioli, Shaun Burgoyne, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis all had massive games as the Hawks won their seventh game in a row and put one hand on a top-two finish.

 

Top of the ladder

Thursday night’s game against the Swans was a classic ‘eight-point game’. The winner would be sitting pretty on top of the ladder, the other would be back with the pack and fighting to keep their place in the top four.

The Hawks were absolutely ready for the contest and produced some terrific footy ensuring they stay on top of the ladder for another week.

 

Whitecross returns

Brendan Whitecross played his first senior game in 432 days on Thursday night, returning to the side as a replacement for the injured Liam Shiels after showing great form in the VFL.

‘Whitey’ more than held his own, collecting 15 disposals at 86% efficiency in one of the hottest games for the year so far.

 

Cyril takes a hanger

After dropping what would have been a certain Mark of the Year contender last week against Port Adelaide, Cyril made no mistake this time – and will almost certainly receive a nomination this week.

 

Hawk veterans get it done on the big stage

Once again it was the Hawks’ experienced players leading the way with Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis and Shaun Burgoyne topping the disposal count for the Hawks.

The three combined for 89 disposals, 22 clearances, 18 tackles, 17 inside 50s and three goals as the veterans showed they still have plenty to give beyond 2016.

 

Is there a better big-game player than Silk?

Shaun Burgoyne stood up in the big moments on Thursday, delivering two clutch goals in the last quarter to help get the Hawks over the line.

in an immense display from the 33-year-old, ‘Silk’ had 11 disposals (at 100% efficiency), five clearances, five tackles, three inside 50’s and two goals in the last quarter alone.

 

Langford stars for Box Hill

Will Langford returned from a punctured lung to produce a best on ground display for Box Hill in their narrow three-point loss to Essendon in the VFL.

Tim O’Brien also kicked three goals to ensure competition for spots in the senior team is as fierce as ever.

 

Top eight sides must keep winning

The top eight is so congested right now that every side needs to keep winning to maintain their position – one hiccup can see a big change in the ladder standings.

The Sydney Swans dropped from second to fifth after Thursday night, while GWS jumped up from seventh into fourth spot after a big win over the Brisbane Lions.

 

Who is the best Hawk?

The Herald Sun’s chief football writer Mark Robinson wrote an article on Sunday asking who is the best Hawthorn player right now?

He mounted a strong case for Cyril Rioli, and Hawthorn supporters would be sure to have a fun debate over who they think is the Hawks’ best player.

 

Roughy a ‘calming influence’

He may not be out on the field right now, but Alastair Clarkson said Jarryd Roughead is doing some great work in the coaches box after the win over the Swans.

"He's just a really calming influence because he reads the game so well. He's hugely admired by his teammates and they seek his counsel, particularly our younger players," Clarkson said.

"Sometimes, as coaches, we'll be too over the top in our criticism of movement of the ball or a player's decision, and he can be that reassuring player's voice from time to time.”