HAWTHORN’S finals aspirations continue to gather momentum after they ended Collingwood’s seven-game winning streak with a 45-point win at the MCG

After being 11-points down at the main break, the Hawks blew the game apart with an 13-goals to four second-half to run away with an 18.13 (121) to 11.10 (76) win

The win puts the Hawks equal on points with the eight-placed Essendon and a game behind Carlton. 

Lance Franklin was too nimble for his opponent Simon Prestigacomo, with the reigning Coleman Medalist kicking five goals on the back of his four-goal final term performance against North Melbourne the previous week.

Luke Hodge returned to his brilliant best, racking up 34 possessions – including five clearances and three goals.

Sam Mitchell, who spent some time on the bench in the second-quarter with an eye injury finished with three goals and 25 possessions across half back and in the heart of midfield.

The Hawks can be also buoyed by the performance of some of their youngsters who impressed in front of 66, 149 fans.

Ben McGlynn was given the daunting task of tagging Collingwood’s Alan Didak and the young Hawk took the points, restricting the live-wire Magpie.

Ryan Schoenmakers was excellent in defence, holding Travis Cloke goalless while Xavier Ellis was excellent through the midfield, collecting 23 possessions and kicking one goal.

For the black and whites, Heath Shaw was excellent rebounding from defense, finishing with 32 possessions.

Both Leon Davis and Dane Swan found plenty of the ball, collecting 23 and 35 possessions respectively.
The first quarter saw the Hawks hold a seven-point lead, determined to attack in waves through the centre corridor and deny the Pies space in their forward-line.

Franklin kicked two first quarter goals as he tried to drag Prestigiacomo from his post deep in defence.

Hodge was calm under pressure, collecting 10 first-term possessions including two 50m rebound and two inside 50m.

Collingwood intensity increased after the break, with a five goal to two second-quarter giving them an 11-point lead at the long break.

Sam Mitchell second-quarter was sensational, amassing 11-possessions while Jordan Lewis also had a superb quarter with 14-possessions.

After a goal from Mitchell early in the third-quarter, a Hodge torpedo barrel from inside the centre square bounced through to give the Hawks the lead. 

And when an errant Alan Toovey handball ended in the hands of Franklin - who snapped truly – the Hawks had the first three goals of the term within four minutes.

Collingwood could only add two behinds to their half-time score as further goals to Dowler, McGlynn, Ellis and Mitchell stretched the margin to 32-points.

The Hawks continued to build on their lead in the final-quarter, outscoring the Pies six goals to four to run-out 45-point winners.

The Hawks will look to make it three wins in a row for the first time this year against the Cats at the MCG next Saturday afternoon.

MATCH DETAILS

Collingwood       2.3   7.5   7.7    11.10  (76)
Hawthorn           3.4   5.6   12.9   18.13  (120)

GOALS
Collingwood: Lockyer 3, Anthony 2, O’Bree, Swan, Medhurst, Wood, Pendlebury, Beams.
Hawthorn: Franklin 5, Mitchell 3, Hodge 3, Roughead 2, Dowler, Ellis, McGlynn, Lewis, Rioli

BEST
Collingwood: Shaw, Davis, Swan, Pendlebury, Lockyer, O’Bree
Hawthorn: Hodge, Mitchell, Franklin, McGlynn, Lewis, Schoenmakers

INJURIES
Collingwood: N. Brown (ankle)
Hawthorn: Mitchell (shoulder)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: McBurney, Nicholls, McInerney

Official crowd: 66,149 at the MCG


The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs.