Essendon 1.4 3.7 9.11 12.14 (86)
Hawthorn 8.5 14.9 20.15 27.18 (180)
Goals: Essendon: Gumbleton 4, Hille 2, Lovett-Murray, Dell’Olio, Winderlich, Monfries, Jetta, Howlett.
Hawthorn: Hodge 5, Suckling 4, Roughead, Gunston 3, Young, Breust, Smith, Rioli 2, Puopolo, Lewis, Shiels, Whitecross.
Best: Essendon: Watson, Gumbleton, Howlett, Heppell, Carlisle
Hawthorn: Rioli, Hodge, Suckling, Gunston, Mitchell, Whitecross, Sewell
Crowd: 44,899 at Etihad Stadium
The Hawks emphatically defeated arch rivals Essendon at Etihad Stadium the last time the two teams met.
In his first game since Round 6, Hodge seamlessly slipped back into the AFL fold with five goals and 16 disposals before being substituted out of the game at three-quarter time.
Hawthorn’s forward line fired, with eight players kicking multiple goals. It was a dangerous, unpredictable and ruthless forward line as regulars Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust, Jack Gunston, Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo all had an impact.
The forwards combined for a total of 15 of the Hawks’ 27 goals.
The game was over by quarter time, with Hawthorn bursting out of the blocks to kick eight goals to start the match, to lead by 43-points at the first change.
The Hawks forced the Bombers to turn the ball over and their poor disposal efficiency rating of 62 per cent reflected that.
Matt Suckling was again one of the Hawks’ best booting four goals and grabbing 22 touches at 93 per cent efficiency, while Brent Guerra (20 touches, 85 per cent efficiency), Grant Birchall (18 at 89 per cent), Gibson (18 at 94 per cent) and Hodge an incredible 16 disposals with 100 per cent efficiency were all dominant for the Hawks.
While key performance indicators were close, clearances (43-41), contested possessions (135-128) and tackles (47-45) it was Hawthorn ability to shut down Essendon’s space, while finding a paddock themselves that led to the win.
The Hawks had 50 more uncontested possessions (257-207), 67 more effective kicks (188-121), which led to 23 more inside 50s (73-50) and nine more marks within scoring range (24-15).
Hawthorn’s win was on the back of its ability to apply pressure – both physical and on the scoreboard.
Despite laying just 47 tackles, it seemed as though the Hawks had three or four extra players on the field, such was their ability to get numbers to the contest.
Forward pressure too, was important in restricting Essendon’s run from defence. In his return match, Hodge ensured Hawks players shut down Dustin Fletcher, not allowing the Bombers’ backman any space to get onto his right boot. Despite having 18 touches, Fletcher ran at just 56 per cent efficiency.
Cyril Rioli was again the highest ranked player in this area, with nine tackles in his 100th match for the Hawks. Rioli was arguably best afield in the win, with his skill, pace and ability to kick multiple goals too much for the Bombers to handle.
What Alastair Clarkson said: “We were pleased with our start without a doubt. To be able to stamp our authority on the game early was really important for us.
“The fact that we put so much scoreboard pressure on early meant that whatever they (Essendon) were trying, was deemed to be a failure so they had to change their ways - it’s very difficult to change your method of play midstream.”
