A YOUNG Hawthorn side has fallen just short of victory in the opening leg of the NAB Cup triple-header at Patersons Stadium, going down to West Coast by two points on Sunday afternoon.   
 
The Eagles, who fielded a near full-strength side, raced away to a 17-point lead at half time, but they conceded four of the last five goals, eventually winning 0.5.1 (31) to 0.4.5 (29).
 
Brent Renouf and Brendan Whitecross both had set shots in the dying minutes that could have stolen the game for Hawthorn, which travelled west with an inexperienced line-up.
 
Shaun Burgoyne (11 disposals) was impressive for the visitors, while the only other established Hawk, Cyril Rioli (nine possessions), also impressed in patches.
 
In the absence of power forwards Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead, 18-year-old rookie Jordan Lisle stood up in the forward line for Hawthorn, kicking two late goals.
 
West Coast was well served by midfielder Scott Selwood (13 disposals) and half-back Brad Sheppard (13), while Chris Masten made a bright start in the midfield.
 
Ruckmen Dean Cox (12 disposals and 10 hit-outs) and Nic Naitanui (seven hit-outs) dominated the ruck battles against inexperienced Hawk Sam Grimley.
 
Selwood kicked the opening goal after eight minutes, before Brad Ebert and Matt Priddis sent the home side into the break with a 17-point lead.
 
The Eagles continued their dominance in the opening exchanges of the second half before a Hawthorn revival in the last 10 minutes.
 
Rookies Tom Schneider and Sam Menagola kicked goals in the run home, while Shane Savage and Matt Suckling were heavily involved. 
 
The Hawks made a late change to their line-up, leaving out returning ruckman Max Bailey and promoting rookie hopeful Nathan Ahmat-Watkins. 
 
West Coast     0.1.4   0.5.1 (31)
Hawthorn     0.3.2   0.4.5 (29)
 
GOALS
 
West Coast: Nine-point goals: Nil  Goals: Ebert, Nicoski, Priddis, Selwood, Weedon
Hawthorn: Nine-point goals: Nil Goals: Lisl2 (2), Schneider, Menagola
 
BEST
 
West Coast: Cox, S Selwood, Sheppard, Butler, Swift, Masten
Hawthorn: Burgoyne, Lisle, Rioli, Savage, Suckling, Whitecross  
 
INJURIES
 
West Coast: Nil
Hawthorn: Nil
 
Reports: Nil
 
Umpires: Ritchie, Keating, Margetts,  
 
Crowd: 25,035 at Patersons Stadium
 
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL