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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.

Crowd: 40,080 at Patersons Stadium

The Hawks succumbed to the unbeaten Eagles in a game that failed to reach the expected “flashy” heights, but instead reflected the hard, contested and defensive prowess of both sides.

In a bizarre opening half, the Hawks booted only two goals as the Eagles squandered numerous opportunities, failing to register a major from 16 inside 50s. Credit to the Hawks defence, however, who were resolute in their ability to deny the Eagles’ forwards time and space. The Eagles managed eight scoring shots, but failed to kick a goal because of the tackling pressure and inferred pressure that surely pleased coach Alastair Clarkson.

The Hawks made their intentions obvious in the opening half, laying 16 tackles to five in the first, then 15 to 14 in the second. That tackling pressure, combined with an improved effort in the midfield after conceding 11 clearances to just three in the opening quarter allowed the Hawks to control the game and produce a number of scoring opportunities. Hawthorn midfielders, led by Sam Mitchell (eight possessions in the second quarter), Jordan Lewis and Brad Sewell had an outstanding second quarter setting up the Hawks’ dominance. The Hawks hard men equalled the clearance tally in the second, with seven apiece.

The midfield’s ability to get on top through their ferocity and determination to win the hard ball and pressure their opposition, led to 14 inside 50s to just five - taking a seven-point advantage into the half time break.

The Eagles, frustrated with their inability to hit the scoreboard came out firing in the third term, booting two goals in quick succession. The Hawks' ability to stem the flow, and restrict West Coast’s ability to find time and space was generated from another improvement in the middle, winning the clearances 10 to eight. Even more pleasing though, was that the third term was played predominantly in Hawthorn's forward half, with the Hawks entering their forward 50 18 times to the Eagles’ 10.

Costly though, was the Hawks’ inability to convert their myriad of opportunities, kicking 1.6 for the quarter. For all their dominance, the Eagles outscored the Hawks by four-points in the third, kicking 2.4 from 10 entries.

The tables were turned in the final term, as the Eagles’ forward pressure came to the fore. Half way through the final term, the ball was locked in West Coast’s forward half for 62 per cent of game time, compared to the Hawks’ 32 per cent. That translated to scoring opportunities, as Jack Darling kicked two crucial goals in quick succession to seal the game.

Pleasing for the Hawks, however, was the endeavour, self-belief and determination that was evident in the last half of the final term. Hawks players, led by Cyril Rioli, Michael Osborne, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis continued to pressure their opponents and get the ball forward.

Impressively, the Hawks out tackled the Eagles 81 to 48 and with that, were able to limit their domination from stoppages, a discrepancy of just four at the final siren. It was obvious that the Hawks had a premium on tackling pressure, as Sam Mitchell (nine), Shane Savage (eight), Brad Sewell, Clinton Young (6), Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin (five) excelled.

Contributing to the Eagles’ win, was their ability to stop the Hawks’ run off half back. An area in which Hawthorn has excelled in the opening rounds, the Eagles identified Josh Gibson as a prime rebound defender for the Hawks, limiting him to just 12 disposals after gathering 30 against the Crows. The Eagles’ forward pressure essentially shut down the Hawks playmakers, particularly in the final term when the game was there to be won.

What Alastair Clarkson said: "We wasted a few chances, and so did West Coast. Unfortunately we weren't in front at the right time. It was a great contest, and we're proud of our boys and their endeavour and how hard and tough they played but the Eagles were just a little bit too good on the night.

What Josh Gibson said: "The conditions were tough out there and it made it hard to hit all your targets. When you're trying to move the ball in those conditions, it's definitely tough."