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Melbourne 3.3 3.5 5.11 6.13 (49)                 
Hawthorn 2.6 8.12 10.18 15.25 (115)         
 
Best: Melbourne - Clark, Grimes, McKenzie, Bartram. Hawthorn - Shiels, Birchall, Sewell, Hale, Whitecross, Roughead.

The Hawks are back in the eight this week after a thumping 66-point win over the Demons at the MCG on Friday night.

The Demons unexpectedly took a three-point lead into the quarter time break, after Mark Neeld’s men implemented a man on man strategy that limited the Hawks’ ability to find a teammate in space. Coach Alastair Clarkson matched Neeld’s strategy, as his charges also took the old fashioned man-on-man approach.

Tackling was a feature of the first term, and with the Hawks aggressive game style, Hawks players, and in particular Sam Mitchell were in their element. To their credit, however, the Demons’ intent to tackle and desire to pressure their opponents forced the Hawks into a number of errors, and despite having eight scoring shots in the opening stanza, the Hawks kicked 2.6. Interestingly, however, the Hawks out tackled Melbourne, 17-14.

It was a domination from the Hawks across the board from then on, however, dominating possession, 424-259, a differential of 165 at the conclusion of the match. That calculates to an extra six players who average 27 disposals per game. Even more pleasing for Clarkson, was the contested possession numbers, 157-105, an alarming stat for Neeld. The contested footy number highlights the intent and desire that Hawks had to win the hard ball and release it to runners.

Going into the match, the Demons were one of the best clearance sides in the competition, but on Friday night it was the Hawks who were the clearance kings, 40-22. Liam Shiels and Jarryd Roughead had six clearances each, while Mitchell (five), Sewell, Lewis (four) and Whitecross (three) were influential in the Hawks’ ability to get set up the win from the midfield.

That midfield domination led to a massive 64 inside 50s to just 36. Importantly to note, however, is that from Melbourne’s 36 inside 50s, 26 of those failed to provide scoring opportunities as the Hawks’ defence stopped the forward entries and rebounded with interest.

A dominant second quarter from the Hawks in the middle translated to 12 scoring shots to two, a quarter that set up the win. Ruckmen David Hale and Roughead’s ability to compete in the centre bounce ruck contests was important, nullifying the influence of Mark Jamar who, coming into the match was averaging 38 hit outs per match. The ability too, of Mitchell, Jordan Lewis, Liam Shiels and Brad Sewell to rove the hit outs and get the ball going forward mounted pressure on the young Demons’ backline.

The domination in the middle, and ability to score was combined with an emphatic defensive performance from the Hawks’ backline, acting as an impenetrable wall that the Demons simply could not break. Grant Birchall was particularly dominant across half back, not only nullifying his opponent, but also setting up a number of attacks going forward. At half time, Birchall had 16 disposals, and finished the game with 29, a dominant display from half back. Highlighting his importance to the team though, is his 93 per cent efficiency rating with ball in hand.

Matt Suckling joined Birchall as one of the Hawks’ best, forming part of the impenetrable defensive unit whose ability to create offensive opportunities is particularly damaging. Suckling too, finished the match with 29 disposals and 13 marks at 83 per cent efficiency.

What Alastair Clarkson said: “They (Melbourne’s midfield) can be quite formidable if you let them get up and going but we were really pleased with our effort in the middle of the ground. It’s a solid 10 goal win, we’ve kept the opposition to six goal which is a super effort.”