After Hawthorn’s outstanding 58-point victory over Fremantle at the MCG on Friday night, hawthornfc.com.autakes a look at the five main points to take out of the game.

1. Hawk fast starts continue
It seems Hawthorn are keen to put their opposition to the sword early in games in 2014, skipping away to big leads early in their last two matches against Essendon and Fremantle. 

Hawthorn’s start to Friday night’s game was scintillating, kicking six goals to one in the opening quarter to almost put the result beyond doubt, leading by 30 points at the first change. The Hawks then kicked another six goals in the second term to Fremantle’s one to lead by 57 points at half time.

That performance was on the back of a brilliant first half against Essendon the week before, where the Hawks led by 32 points at half time. In that game, the Hawks kicked four goals to one in the first and five goals to two in the second.

When opposition teams might take five to 10 minutes to settle into the game, the Hawks are ready for the contest at the first bounce and capitalise on any nerves or settling period of their opposition to set up a big, early lead.
 

2. Hawk kicking beats pressure game
While everyone is focused on how effective Fremantle’s pressure is and why they’re so good because of it, Hawthorn know how to beat it.

The Hawks have some of the best kicks in the game and their ability to find a target even when under pressure in the best in the league, not to mention their kicking skills can release a teammate into space at any time.

Friday night’s game was not the contested, dour battle everyone expected. It was far from it because Hawthorn controlled the footy by playing their own kicking game and keeping a cool head.

Only 87 tackles were laid for the game – 49 by Fremantle and 38 by Hawthorn. It was the lowest tackling game of the round.

Hawthorn finished the game with 78 per cent disposal efficiency – the second highest percentage of the round, beaten only by Essendon who belted Carlton by 81 points.
 

3. Bradley Hill is a future star
He has played just 32 career games but at 20 years of age, Bradley Hill is already showing signs he’ll be a star on the competition in the near future.

He plays with composure beyond his years and never looks overawed by the occasion. He was outstanding in last year’s finals series and kicked a clutch goal in the final stage of the Preliminary Final victory over Geelong.

He was also one of Hawthorn’s best on Grand Final day – the most high-pressure game of the year.

In Friday night’s Grand Final re-match, Hill was outstanding. He was clean with the footy, particularly at ground level and delivered it on most occasions, with poise.

His run is important to Hawthorn as he and Isaac Smith work the wings and into space to move the ball quickly to a potent forward line that is working well at the moment.

He finished the game with 30 disposals, took nine marks, had five inside 50s and kicked a goal. His performance was outstanding.

4. Luke Breust has found the goals again
In the latter stages of last season, Luke Breust struggled in front of goals so much that he was passing to a teammate wherever he could avoid taking the kick himself.

Fast forward eight months and there is almost no one better to kick from a set shot or to gather a ball in tight and snap over the shoulder.

Breust is currently the AFL’s leading goal kicker, tied for the Coleman Medal with St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt.

He has kicked 10.1 for the season – with a bag of five against the Lions, two against the Bombers (including a clutch goal in the dying minutes) and booted three on Friday night against Fremantle.
 

5. The emergence of Langford
The son of Hawthorn great Chris Langford, Will has finally earned his place in Hawthorn’s best 22 and it will take consistent red-hot form from another young or established player to remove him.

On Friday night he played a defensive role on Fremantle star David Mundy and did it brilliantly, keeping the midfielder to just 20 disposals and little to no impact on the game.

Langford meanwhile, gathered 14 disposals of his own and even pushed forward to kick a classy snap goal from the pocket in the second term.

With a player like veteran Brad Sewell waiting to return following a hamstring injury, the Hawks have an embarrassment of riches given the performance of their youngsters at the highest level, with Langford just one of many.