1. Two games clear
With five rounds remaining in the season, Hawthorn sits in a perfect position as it chases a top-two finish – two games clear at the top of the ladder.
Losses to Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs over the weekend enabled the Hawks to extend their break at the head of the ladder – with six teams now on 12 wins behind the Hawks.
2. Milestone man shines
As consistent as they come, Hawks star Sam Mitchell has played plenty of brilliant games in his 300-game AFL career.
Sunday’s win was no exception, with the star Hawk racking up 39 disposals to celebrate his milestone in style.
3. Hill backs up
After producing arguably his best performance for 2016 last week against Sydney, wingman Bradley Hill back it up on Sunday against the Tigers.
With 31 disposals and an equal career-best seven inside 50s, Hill was at line-breaking best.
4. Gibbo the goalkicker
If Sam Mitchell keeps getting better with age, so does Josh Gibson – and he keeps kicking more goals!
Far from content with two majors in 2016, Gibbo added a third against the Tigers, this time with a snap off the right boot (if you don’t mind!).
5. Tiger tribute
After Sunday’s match against Richmond, the Tigers helped form a guard of honour for Sam Mitchell as he was carried off after game 300.
Well played, Richmond!
6. Desperate defenders
Desperate defender has been a trademark of the Hawks under Alastair Clarkson, and for the second time in 2016, the Hawks held their opponents below 45 points for the match.
The Tigers were only able to go inside 50 on 37 occasions, with the Hawks’ back six keeping the pressure on close to goal.
7. Convincing win pleases Clarko
With percentage likely to come into the equation in the run home, Hawthorn’s big second half pleased Alastair Clarkson to no end.
Turning a 10-point half-time advantage into a 70-point full time margin could have an impact in the Hawks’ top-two chances.
8. Finals now a tough task for Box Hill Hawks
Box Hill Hawks’ finals chances have taken a hit, after going down to Richmond by 16 points on Sunday.
The Hawks led for much of the contest, but an eight-goal final term from the Tigers leaves the Hawks two games behind eighth-placed Essendon with five games remaining in the season.
9. Woodward return (take two)
A big positive in Box Hill’s loss to Richmond was the second return of Alex Woodward.
After injuring his foot in the development league coming back from his third knee reconstruction, Woodward spent two weeks on the sidelines before racking up 25 disposals, seven tackles and a goal in his senior VFL return.
10. Beware Bolts’ Blues
Saturday’s match against the Blues will mark the first time (in an AFL game) that Alastair Clarkson and former Hawks assistant Brendon Bolton will go head-to-head.
And the Hawks can’t afford to take the Blues lightly – especially after they got within seven points of West Coast Eagles a fortnight ago and one straight kick of Sydney Swans on the weekend.
