1. Sam slices and dices
Many were asking whether Gold Coast superstar Gary Ablett was untaggable after his phenomenal 49-possession, two-goal display against Collingwood last week. The same question is just as likely to be asked about Sam Mitchell after this one after he cut the Bombers to ribbons. Mitchell did just about everything for the Hawks. He was at the coalface winning the hard ball one minute, then using the footy with precision on the outskirts of the pack the next. The Bombers appeared to pay scant regard to the former Hawthorn skipper, letting him roam free and dictate terms. Mitchell finished with 31 disposals (22 uncontested) and four clearances in a best-afield performance.
2. #Buddy8
There's something about Lance Franklin and Essendon. Franklin had averaged six goals per game against the Bombers heading into the Friday night blockbuster, including two nine-goal hauls in 2007 and 2008. Opposed to in-form Essendon defender Jake Carlisle, the Hawks superstar – returning from a knee injury – booted three majors in the opening quarter. Buddy then followed up with an incredible snap in the second term from near the 50-metre arc to make it four goals in the first half. He added another in the third term before kicking three more to take his tally to eight in the final term. Franklin's much-talked about live tweet session created headlines during the week, but it's fair to say there might be another session organised if he continues to tear Essendon apart.
3. Small return for giant gamble
Essendon showed its intentions early by starting Michael Hurley (195cm), Tom Bellchambers (202cm) and Joe Daniher (201cm) deep in the forward line in the first quarter. The Land of the Giants approach seemed to work at first as Bellchambers and then Patrick Ryder (197cm) exposed Hawks opponent Luke Hodge's (185cm) lack of size. But once Hawthorn began to control proceedings, it began to employ its possession brand of football to great effect. The Bombers were forced to change things up, using their smalls as avenues to goal and subbing off an ineffective Daniher for Leroy Jetta in the third quarter. Only Hurley (three) and Bellchambers (two) managed multiple goals for the Bombers. By comparison, the Hawks had six players achieve that feat.
4. A case to answer
Tensions simmered between the teams in a fiery third term, with Jake Melksham lighting the fuse. Melksham raised his elbow to fell Jarryd Roughead when attempting to shepherd the star Hawk forward, and Roughead sought retribution not long after, the pair squaring off on the Medallion Club wing. Even though Melksham was fighting outside his weight division, he actually held his own. Melksham was a highly regarded junior boxer and even won some tournaments for his exploits. Luckily for him, none of his blows on Friday connected. But Melksham will face a nervous wait, as it was announced later that he had been reported for rough conduct.
5. Coleman leader’s cameo
Roughead took a backseat to the Buddy show, but, as usual, his contribution was equally important. Roughead has been more consistent than his partner in crime this season, and again he was effective without being extraordinary. Roughead kicked four majors to go with 16 disposals, and re-took the lead in the Coleman Medal race. He looks a shoo-in for his first All Australian selection at the end of the season.
