Hawthorn   5.3 11.3 14.6  18.11 (119)
Sydney  1.4  4.5 7.7  12.10 (82)

Goals: Hawthorn: Roughead 4, Franklin 3, Gunston 3, Hale 3, Bailey, Breust, Hodge, Osborne, Burgoyne
Sydney: Kennedy 2, McGlynn 2, O'Keefe 2, Pyke, Parker, Lamb, Bolton, White, Goodes

Best: Hawthorn: Hodge, Roughead, Gibson, Birchall, Puopolo, Gunston, Mitchell
Sydney: Kennedy, Jetta, Goodes, Parker, Jack, McGlynn

Hawthorn reversed the 2012 Grand Final result in Round 7 when it defeated Sydney by 37 points in the re-match at the MCG the last time the two teams met.

It was a commanding performance by the Hawks, and one many still believe was its best performance of the year to date, outplaying the Swans at their own game.

Sydney are a team known for their hardness and uncompromising attack on the ball and the man, but on that Saturday night in May, it was Hawthorn who did the hard things, won the contested footy and outspread the Swans to secure victory.

It was the Hawthorn talls who did the damage on the night, as Jarryd Roughead starred with four goals and Lance Franklin, Jack Gunston and David Hale kicked three each in a potent and dangerous forward line.

The talls of Hawthorn combined for 13 of the team’s 18 goals, 14 if you also count the goals kicked by ruckman, Max Bailey.

Hawthorn’s first half was as good as it has played all year, and particularly the opening quarter with their spread and ball use at its best - the Hawks had 72 uncontested possessions in the first term alone.

They also had 45 effective first quarter kicks to 31 and its disposal efficiency at a whopping 76.1 per cent compared to 66.3.

That translated to score board pressure as the Hawks booted 5.3 to an inaccurate 1.4, a lead that proved to be a match-winning one.

The Hawks were good enough to withstand the pressure and keep its commanding advantage on the score board intact despite Sydney peppering the goals in the third term.

Hawthorn’s defence was steadfast and conceded only three goals for the quarter.

Whatever the Swans tried; the Hawks had an answer for.

Sydney ended the match with just two fewer inside 50s (53-51), underlining Hawthorn’s scoring power up forward is difficult even for the stingiest defence to cover.

More importantly though, the fact the Swans had 51 entries for 22 scoring shots (five of those goals came in the last term when  the sting was out of the game) speaks volumes for Hawthorn’s defence.

Josh Gibson was one of Hawthorn’s best with his ability to manage his defensive game and his offensive game, gathering 27 disposals, and keeping Swans forward Sam Reid to just 9 touches and one goal.

Defender partner Brian Lake too had one of his best games, limiting Mike Pyke and Jesse White’s influence up forward. He also had 18 touches and took eight marks, most of which were from opposition kicks.

Liam Shiels nullified the dangerous Dan Hannebery, limiting him to just six touches in the second half, after 13 in the first.

But none were better than the skipper, Luke Hodge who put in another best on ground performance.

Hodge was unstoppable in his role as a midfielder who spent time across half back and got the Hawks rolling in the first term – with seven touches and three inside 50s in the opening 15 minutes of the game.

He finished the match with 32 possessions, 10 inside 50s, five rebound 50s and a goal.

What the coaches said

Hawthorn’s Alastair Clarkson: “Full credit to our players. We had a really tough summer knowing we couldn’t ease ourselves into the season. It puts us in a good position at this time, although we know we have a long way to go.

"(The draw) was always going to be a challenge … we can't do anything other than take each opponent as it comes. We worked very hard over the summer to get to this position."

Sydney’s John Longmire: “We turned the ball over or we kicked it shallow.

"We took a number of marks inside 50, but they were probably wide or not deep enough. 

"When you miss those easy targets going forward and turn the ball over that puts some pressure on our defenders."