West Coast 0.8 0.12 2.16 5.21 (51)
Hawthorn 0.4 2.7 3.13 5.16 (46)
Goals: West Coast - Darling 2, Kerr, Hill, Kennedy
Hawthorn - Rioli 2, Franklin, Osborne, Lewis
Best: West Coast - Kerr, Darling, Mackenzie, Waters, Rosa, Glass
Hawthorn - Mitchell, Lewis, Gibson, Suckling, Schoenmakers, Bruce
Crowd: 40,080 at Patersons Stadium
It was a slog at Patersons Stadium in Round 4, when the Hawks last met the Eagles.
In a much anticipated clash, the match went down to the wire, but it was hardly one of the great spectacles, with inaccuracy in front of goal costing both sides the chance to build match-winning leads.
Just five goals were kicked in the first three quarters from 34 scoring shots.
The Eagles’ midfield dominance proved obvious in the opening term, dominating the clearance count, 11-3 in the first term.
The Hawks were able to assert their authority on the match in the second quarter, however, reading the taps of West Coast ruck duo Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui with aplomb. Led by Sam Mitchell, Brad Sewell and Jordan Lewis, the Hawks broken even in clearances in the second, to give forwards increased opportunity.
That dominance from Hawthorn’s midfield in the second resulted in an avalanche of inside 50s (14-5), but again, inaccuracy proved costly as the Hawthorn lead was just seven at the half.
Despite two early West Coast goals after half time, it was Hawthorn again who dominated, but failed to hurt the Eagles on the scoreboard. A return of just 1.7 proved a costly chapter in the story of the night, as the Eagles pressure eventually came to the fore.
The Eagles booted three goals to two in a heart-stopping final term to eventually run out 5-point victors.
Interestingly, the Hawks out tackled the Eagles (81-48), whose tackling pressure was all the rage early in the season. Sam Mitchell (nine), Shane Savage (eight), Brad Sewell, Clinton Young (six), Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin (five) led the way for tackles on the night.
Mitchell was the Hawks’ best in the Round 4 clash, with 29 disposals, six clearances and nine tackles from the midfield. He led by example in the middle, sharking the hit outs of the Eagles’ ruckman and getting the Hawks going.
It wasn’t a night for the big forwards though, as Franklin had little impact on the match. Despite gathering 19 disposals, the full forward kicked just one goal in a game where goals were hard to come by.
For the Eagles, Daniel Kerr was best with 33 possessions and nine clearances.
Cox and Naitanui had the better of the ruck dual against Jarryd Roughead and David Hale, winning the hit out count 49-26. The Eagles’ midfielders didn’t capitalise though, winning the clearance count by just four (39-35).
What the coaches said:
Hawthorn’s Alastair Clarkson - “Unfortunately we just weren't in front at the right time.
“It was a great contest, we're proud of our boys with their endeavour and how proud and how tough they played, but the Eagles were just a little bit too good on the night."
West Coast’s John Worsfold - “It was a pretty tight, tough game, and both teams played pretty close.
“I didn't think it was going to crack open, but it was really who was going to grab hold of the opportunities when they were there, and they were pretty slim opportunities.”
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