Season 2007

[RustyHawk]

Round 1



Brisbane Lions 9.15 (69) def. Hawthorn 6.8 (44)
7:15pm Gabba


9.15 (69) Brisbane Lions vs. Hawthorn
................. 1st. 2nd.. 3rd.. Final
Brisbane Lions 2.5 5.10 6.13 9.15 (69)
Hawthorn...... 1.0 2.3.. 2.6. 6.8.. (44)

6.8 (44)
Goals Scored
Brisbane Lions.................. Hawthorn
Ashley McGrath 3............. Lance Franklin 3
Tim Notting 1.................. Tim Boyle 2
Michael Rischitelli 1.......... Tim Clarke 1
Justin Sherman 1
Nigel Lappin 1
Jonathan Brown 1
Cheynee Stiller 1

The Teams
Brisbane Lions
Jed Adcock
Colm Begley
Simon Black
Jared Brennan
Jonathan Brown
Robert Copeland
Ben Fixter
Scott Harding
Chris L. Johnson
Nigel Lappin
Beau McDonald
Ashley McGrath
Daniel Merrett
Matthew Moody
Tim Notting
Joel Patfull
Luke Power
Michael Rischitelli
Jason Roe
Justin Sherman
Cheynee Stiller
Cameron Wood

Hawthorn
Chance Bateman
Grant Birchall
Tim Boyle
Robert Campbell
Tim Clarke
Trent Croad
Xavier Ellis
Lance Franklin
Stephen Gilham
Brent Guerra
Luke Hodge
Danny Jacobs
Rick Ladson
Jordan Lewis
Ben McGlynn
Sam Mitchell
Michael Osborne
Jarryd Roughead
Brad Sewell
Simon A. Taylor
Mark Williams
Clinton Young

Hawthorn stats

Hawthorn
Goals
Lance Franklin
3

Click for Video
Goals
Tim Boyle
2

Click for Video
Goals
Tim Clarke
1

Click for Video

player.................... k h p m ho t ff fa g b vid

Chance Bateman... 16 7 23 8 0 3 4 2 0 1 Click for Video
Grant Birchall........ 11 6 17 8 0 5 1 0 0 0 Click for Video
Tim Boyle.............. 7 4 11 2 0 2 0 0 2 2 Click for Video
Robert Campbell..... 1 3 4 1 9 1 0 1 0 0 Click for Video
Tim Clarke........... 10 8 18 4 0 0 1 1 1 0 Click for Video
Trent Croad......... 14 7 21 9 0 1 2 3 0 0 Click for Video
Xavier Ellis............ 8 5 13 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 Click for Video
Lance Franklin...... 10 5 15 5 0 1 1 2 3 1 Click for Video
Stephen Gilham.... 10 9 19 11 0 0 1 0 0 0 Click for Video
Brent Guerra........ 13 5 18 6 0 2 1 2 0 1 Click for Video
Luke Hodge......... 13 8 21 6 0 2 1 5 0 0 Click for Video
Danny Jacobs...... 22 11 33 20 0 0 2 0 0 0 Click for Video
Rick Ladson.......... 7 4 11 5 0 2 1 0 0 0 Click for Video
Jordan Lewis....... 17 11 28 7 0 0 3 1 0 0 Click for Video
Ben McGlynn....... 11 1 12 8 0 1 1 0 0 0 Click for Video
Sam Mitchell......... 8 9 17 4 0 4 3 1 0 0 Click for Video
Michael Osborne...10 6 16 6 0 1 0 1 0 0 Click for Video
Jarryd Roughead ...2 4 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 Click for Video
Brad Sewell......... 5 13 18 3 0 7 3 1 0 0 Click for Video
Simon A. Taylor... 4 5 9 3 10 5 0 2 0 0 Click for Video
Mark Williams....... 2 2 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Click for Video
Clinton Young..... 19 11 30 12 0 4 2 1 0 0 Click for Video
Total................ 220 144 364 134 19 41 27 25 6 7

Match report

Lions hold off fast-finishing Hawks
Brought to you by Laine Clark,
AAP
Saturday, 31st March, 2007 11:18:00 pm
THE record book may mark Brisbane's AFL season-opener against Hawthorn at the Gabba on Saturday night as Lions coach Leigh Matthews' 750th game.

But the Lions mentor was only interested in one statistic - a win.

The Lions ended a horror six-game losing run stretching back to last season by clipping the Hawks 9.15 (69) to 6.8 (44) in a scrappy encounter.

Matthews became only the third person to rack up 750 games as a player and coach as his rebuilding Lions moved back into the winners' circle in their first game without inspirational skipper Michael Voss.

Matthews would also have been encouraged by the comeback of champion midfielder Nigel Lappin, who marked his first game in more than 12 months with 22 possessions.

Lappin, 30, missed all of 2006 after undergoing ankle surgery before suffering an elbow injury in the 2007 pre-season.

But the three-time premiership player showed no signs of rust once he emerged from the interchange bench 10 minutes into the first quarter, capping a fine first half by snapping a goal late in the second term as Brisbane skipped away with a 25-point lead.

In contrast to Lappin, forward Jonathan Brown was out of sorts in his first premiership game since round 10 last year, collecting just four kicks and two marks.

Brown's night was summed up early in the third quarter when he sprayed a set shot out on the full.

He had to wait until 13 minutes into the third quarter before finally booting his first and only goal.

Brown was double-teamed all night and finished with just eight possessions after being well held by Stephen Gilham and Trent Croad.

"It was pretty hard (for Brown). He had two blokes on him. But what that did do was enable us to have a player further up field," Matthews said.

"Any team that double teams Jonathan Brown makes it hard for Jonathan Brown but that doesn't necessarily mean they are going to win the game."

Lappin came off the field with a corked thigh but is expected to be fit for next Thursday's home clash against St Kilda.

But Matthews said Jamie Charman, who withdrew before the start of the match with an Achilles injury, would not be so lucky.

Brisbane held a 6.13 (49) to 2.6 (18) lead at the final break after holding Hawthorn goal-less in the third term.

But Hawthorn ensured some anxious moments late in the final quarter when two quick majors by Tim Boyle shaved Brisbane's lead to just a couple of kicks.

However, a Michael Rischitelli goal from outside the 50m arc and another major to tireless onballer Justin Sherman steadied the Lions.

Hawthorn's Lance Franklin was a constant threat, bagging three majors while Danny Jacobs had 33 disposals.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson was left scratching his head after the match.

"I can't work out whether Brisbane played really well or we played really badly - but I suspect it was the latter," he said.

"We weren't on our game by a long way. Our transition of the ball from the back half to the middle of the ground was the problem - we have to regroup."

Hawthorn's Jordan Lewis was placed on report for charging Cheynee Stiller right on halftime.

BRISBANE LIONS 2.5 5.10 6.13 9.15 (69)

HAWTHORN 1.0 2.3 2.6 6.8 (44)

Goals: Brisbane: A McGrath 3 T Notting N Lappin C Stiller J Brown M Rischitelli J Sherman. Hawthorn: L Franklin 3 T Boyle 2 T Clarke.

Best: Brisbane: S Black J Brennan L Power N Lappin J Sherman. Hawthorn: L Franklin C Young D Jacobs J Lewis T Croad.

Injuries: Brisbane: N Lappin (thigh), R Copeland (hip) J Charman (achilles) replaced in selected side by B McDonald. Hawthorn: Nil.

Reports: J Lewis (Hawthorn) reported by field umpire S Grun for rough conduct against C Stiller (Brisbane) in the second quarter.

Umpires: S Grun M Head T Pannell.

Official crowd: 27,104 at the Gabba.

[RustyHawk]

Round 2: Hawthorn v Melbourne at the MCG and the Hawks get a win.

Match report:
Hawks upset Demons
9/04/2007 4:59:27 AM
Paul Gough
Sportal
Melbourne's 2007 AFL season is in danger of collapsing after just two rounds after skipper David Neitz went down with a knee injury as the Demons were again well beaten in the Easter Monday clash against Hawthorn at the MCG.

A week after being thrashed by St Kilda, the Demons went down 17.14 (116) to 14.10 (94) to a young Hawks' side that could manage only six goals and just two to three-quarter-time against Brisbane at the Gabba in the opening round.

But that game was a distant memory on Monday as the Hawks put on a far more entertaining performance in front of more than 43,000 fans.

With Mark Williams kicking six goals, including four in the third term as the Hawks broke the game open, the Hawks showed they have plenty of firepower as inexperienced full-forward Tim Boyle helped himself to three goals in only his seventh game.

In contrast the Demons' attack failed to fire for the second week running once skipper Neitz, the club's all-time leading goalkicker, limped off midway through the first term with a knee injury.

Neitz's injury comes on top of the loss of the Demons' best midfielder Brock McLean in the opening round for six weeks with a foot injury.

The Demons badly missed McLean on Monday as the Hawks midfield dominated.

The Hawks' star trio of Sam Mitchell, Shane Crawford and Luke Hodge amassed 68 disposals between them but it was the performance of some of the team's lesser lights that was so impressive.

Youngster Jordan Lewis had 26 touches while running defender Rick Ladson not only put Melbourne goalsneak Aaron Davey out of business but had 26 disposals himself.

The underrated Brad Sewell shut down Melbourne playmaker Travis Johnstone and had 20 touches while late inclusion Ben McGlynn had 16 possessions and kicked a great goal from nearly 60 metres out.

The Demons had far too many of their big guns down with Davey, Johnstone and number one ruckman Jeff White unsighted for most of the day.

But yet they somehow still got to within seven points at the 17 minute mark of the last term before Paul Wheatley undid all the Demons' hard work by giving away an unnecessary 50 metres to Boyle.

Boyle had just taken a mark and was facing a tough shot from 35 metres out on a tight angle when Wheatley needlessly interfered with him after marking and the resultant penalty left him in the goalsquare as he sealed the Hawks' first win of the season.

HAWTHORN: 2.4, 7.8, 15.9, 17.14 (116)
MELBOURNE: 4.5 5.7 10.10, 14.10 (94)

GOALS: Hawthorn: Williams 6, Boyle 3, Dixon 2, Croad 2, Crawford, McGlynn, Franklin, Young

Melbourne: Miller 3, Moloney 2, Godfrey 2, Jamar 2, White, Robertson, Bate, Neitz, Ward,

BEST: Hawthorn: Ladson, Mitchell, Williams, McGlynn, Sewell, Lewis, Boyle

Melbourne: Miller, McDonald, Bate, Godfrey, Bruce, Brown

INJURIES: Hawthorn: Nil

Melbourne: Neitz (knee), Robertson (knee), Wheatley (shoulder)

REPORTS: Nil

CHANGES: Hawthorn: Bateman (calf) replaced by McGlynn.

Melbourne: Bartram (knee) replaced by Godfrey

UMPIRES: Rosebury, Sully, Ryan

CROWD: 43,197 at MCG

[RustyHawk]

Round 3: Hawthorn v Kangaroos

Match Report:

Hawks bury Kangas
15/04/2007 7:52:24 AM
Jason Phelan at Telstra Dome
Sportal
Hawthorn shook off an indifferent first half and withstood a late challenge to defeat the Kangaroos 13.13 (91) to 10.10 (70) at Telstra Dome on Sunday evening.

Sam Mitchell led the charge for the Hawks with 33 touches and Mark Williams was the most dangerous forward on the ground with four goals, while Brent Harvey (22 disposals) and Daniel Harris (29 possessions) fought bravely for the Roos.

A late rally from the Kangaroos provided an exciting finish to an entertaining second half, but the first half was entirely forgettable. The opening terms were dominated by either a rolling scrum with multiple stoppages or, when players did find some space, fundamental skill errors.

Both sides employed loose players in defence so it didn't surprise when neither could find an effective avenue to goal through their over-crowded forward 50's.

Daniel Wells provided the occasional flash of brilliance and a goal in a sometimes times spiteful first quarter while a late major to Corey Jones saw the Roos up by seven points at the first break.

A moment of madness from Michael Firrito saw Williams kick his first goal of the evening from point-blank range following a 50-metre penalty, but the Kangaroos made slightly fewer errors to be on the good side of a half-time scoreline of 5.4 to 3.6.

Supporters could have been forgiven for contemplating beating the traffic during the long break, but they were rewarded for their patience when the game came alive in the third quarter.

It was the Hawks midfield that drove the turnaround as the game opened up, delivering more swiftly to the forward line where Williams and Lance Franklin lurked with intent.

Williams added two more goals to his tally with his second giving his side the lead and his third - a brilliant effort from the boundary line - sending the Hawthorn faithful wild.

Goals to Aaron Edwards and Harvey stemmed the tide, but Franklin put on a bit of magic to snare his first goal of the night and give the Hawks a two-goal lead at three-quarter time.

The Roos looked gone when Hawthorn put through the first three goals of the last term, but dug deep to storm back into contention with a goal to Matt Cambpell and two from David Hale.

The Hawks weren't to be denied, however, and Franklin snuffed out the charge with his third late on.

KANGAROOS: 2.4, 5.4, 7.6, 10.10 (70)
HAWTHORN: 1.3, 3.6, 8.12, 13.13 (91)

GOALS: Kangaroos: Harvey 2, Hale 2, Petrie, Wells, Campbell, Swallow, Edwards, Jones.
Hawthorn: Williams 4, Franklin 3, Osborne 2, Dixon, Roughead, Mitchell, McGlynn.
BEST: Kangaroos: Harvey, Harris, Wells, Simpson, Sansbury.
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Sewell, Young, Birchall, Williams, Lewis, Brown, Franklin.
INJURIES: Kangaroos: Nil.
Hawthorn: Nil.
REPORTS: Nil.
CHANGES: Hawthorn: Croad replaced in selected side by Roughead.
UMPIRES: Farmer, Margetts, Jeffery
CROWD: 28,481 at Telstra Dome

[RustyHawk]

Round 4: Hawthorn vs Geelong

Match Report:

Hawks win nailbiter

22/04/2007 3:40:03 AM
Jason Phelan
Sportal
Hawthorn has pulled off a thrilling four-point win over Geelong in a wind-affected encounter at Aurora Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Cats had possession of the ball deep in their defensive 50 with 30 seconds left to play and managed to work it up to Cameron Mooney at centre half-forward but his desperate kick deep into attack was marked by Hawk ruckman Simon Taylor who ran out the last 10 seconds of the match.

That allowed the Hawks to run out winners 10.16 (76) to 9.18 (72).

The Hawks were behind for the entire first half after Geelong made slightly better use of the wind, but kept themselves in the contest with ferocious tackling a feature of their game.

Luke Hodge (29 disposals) played superbly in a defensive general role loose across half-back for the Hawks, while Shane Crawford (26 possessions) turned back the clock to put in a vintage performance.

James Bartel (31 disposals) was prominent for the Cats and Cameron Ling gathered 22 possessions, but his real value was in curbing the influence of Sam Mitchell who managed just 13 touches.

Mark Williams was the leading goal scorer on a tough day for tall forwards with three, while Gary Ablett, James Kelly and Mathew Stokes all booted two apiece.

Despite first use of the strong breeze, Geelong was wayward early before Ling got the ball rolling with the first goal of the day. The Cats managed just two more in the first term, but the Hawks couldn't muster a single goal into the wind to trail by 18 points at the first break.

Tim Boyle rectified that early in the second and Williams bobbed up with two in succession, but Gary Ablett did what the Hawks couldn't and snapped a precious goal into the breeze to keep the Cats in front by a point at the half.

Lance Franklin took a nice pack mark and goaled to put the Hawks in front for the first time soon after the restart, but despite Williams' third and Taylor's first goal of the year, Hawthorn was still four points down at the least break thanks to a nice goal in traffic from Darren Milburn.

Geelong held onto that lead grimly for most of the final term, before young Xavier Ellis picked the perfect time to kick his first goal in AFL footy to give the Hawks a lead they would not surrender.

HAWTHORN: 0.3, 4.7, 8.9, 10.16 (76)
GEELONG: 3.3, 4.8, 8.13, 9.18 (72)

GOALS: Hawthorn: Williams 3, Boyle, Franklin, Ellis, Crawford, Guerra, Young, Taylor.

Geelong: G. Ablett 2, Stokes 2, Kelly 2, Ling, Milburn, Wojcinski.

BEST: Hawthorn: Hodge, Crawford, Lewis, Guerra, Birchall, Jacobs, Franklin.

Geelong: Bartel, Ling, G. Ablett, Kelly, Milburn, Mackie, Enright.

INJURIES: Hawthorn: Nil.

Geelong: Nil.

REPORTS: Geelong: Hunt reported for charging Crawford in the third quarter.

CHANGES: Hawthorn: Ladson (hamstring) replaced in selected side by McGlynn.

UMPIRES: Meredith, Wenn, Ryan

CROWD: 17, 120 at Aurora Stadium.

[RustyHawk]

Round 5: Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs

(This is the game we let slip with some terrible kicking for goal. Something like 7 points in the first quarter, 6 of which should have been goals.)

Match Report:

Dogs hold off Hawks
29/04/2007 3:57:01 AM
Paul Gough
Sportal
The Western Bulldogs gave Hawthorn a lesson in forward line efficiency for three quarters on Sunday before almost blowing it in the final term as they hung on to win by 17 points at the MCG.

For three quarters it was the Bulldogs' ability to make the most of their entries inside the forward 50 that proved the difference between the two teams as the Hawks - despite having as much of the play - wasted chance after chance when they went forward.

But then the Bulldogs lapsed in the final term before steadying to win 16.14 (110) to 13.15 (93) to join the Hawks on three wins and two losses after five rounds.

The Hawks' goalkicking woes were at their worst in the opening term when they squandered five opportunities inside their forward 50 - four of them gettable set shots and the other a miss from just 20 metres by Michael Osborne.

After kicking the first two goals of the game, the Hawks could have been four goals in front before the Dogs even got warm yet found themselves trailing by seven points at quarter-time.

It was a costly lapse by the Hawks and one the Bulldogs made them pay for as players like Robert Murphy and impressive youngster Shaun Higgins made the most of their opportunities.

In contrast the Hawks, who badly missed the reliable kicking for goal of injured spearhead Mark Williams, continued to waste chance after chance with the experienced Ben Dixon one of their worst offenders.

By three-quarter-time the Hawks had been inside their forward 50 on 41 occasions to the Dogs' 40 yet had managed just 10 goals from 23 scoring shots while the Dogs had managed 16 goals from the same number of scoring shots.

Yet in the final term it was almost as if the teams had changed jumpers as the Dogs failed to kick a goal, in managing only seven behinds for the quarter with Luke Darcy missing two sitters.

As a result the Hawks stayed in touch but even then could not make the most of the Dogs; generosity as Shane Crawford inexplicably decided to pass when just 35 metres from goal, resulting in a turnover, when another goal could have put the Dogs under pressure.

But the Bulldogs, who were magnificently led by Scott West (41 possessions) and Daniel Cross (31 possessions) were the better side and if not for six goals from Lance Franklin, the Hawks would have lost by more.

HAWTHORN: 3.7, 7.11, 10.13, 13.15 (93)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 5.2, 11.4, 16.7, 16.14 (110)

GOALS: Hawthorn: Franklin 6, Roughead 2, Bateman, Sewell, Boyle, Hodge, Brown
Western Bulldogs: Higgins 3, Murphy 3, Darcy 2, Ray 2, Johnson, Gilbee, Eagleton, Power, Cooney, Robbins
BEST: Hawthorn: Franklin, Lewis, Guerra, Sewell, Mitchell, Brown
Western Bulldogs: West, Gilbee, Cross, Murphy, Higgins, Harris, Eagleton
INJURIES: Hawthorn: Bateman (calf)
Western Bulldogs: Hargrave (heavy knock)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Chamberlain, Avon, Nicholls
CROWD: 31,982 at MCG

[RustyHawk]

Round 6: Hawthorn vs Essendon

Match Report:


Everybody loves Buddy

5/05/2007 4:55:48 AM
Angus Morgan at the MCG
Sportal

A career-best bag of nine goals, including five in a sensational second quarter, by Lance 'Buddy' Franklin has inspired Hawthorn to an excellent 35-point win over Essendon on Saturday.

Franklin was at his flashy best as the Hawks moved to four-and-two for the season on the strength of their 18.11 (119) to 15.6 (96) victory before 52,000 fans at the MCG.

Not as eye-catching but just as effective was Campbell Brown who conceded 15cm to Scott Lucas and held the Bombers forward, of whom much was expected in the absence of Matthew Lloyd, to just 10 possessions and one goal.

Veteran midfielder Shane Crawford was the Hawks' best ball-winner with 27 possessions while Brad Sewell (25) and Jordan Lewis were busy in the midfield.

For the Bombers, Jason Johnson's first match for 2007 was a beauty, and he enjoyed good support from Mark McVeigh and Brent Stanton.

Essendon had the better of the first quarter, easing to an 18-point lead against the Hawks whose tall forward set-up - Boyle, Croad, Franklin, Roughead - was giving them nothing. The introduction of Ben Dixon late in the period earned Hawthorn a couple of late goals.

A Jason Johnson snap in the opening minute of the second term opened up an 11-point break for the Bombers before Franklin got cranked up. His five for the quarter came in 14 dazzling minutes.

There were four set shots including one from deep in each pocket at the city end, and a sensational opportunist snap from 45 when he pounced on a smothered shot by Jarryd Roughead.

His direct opponent Adam McPhee was never far away, only a metre or so in each instance, but that's all the space Franklin needed. And his devastating finishing compounded every Bomber's agony.

Buddy's burst put the Hawks 21 points to the good entering time-on before late replies from Jason Johnson and Andrew Welsh cut the margin to nine points at the main break.

The flow largely passed Franklin by in the third term but his two kicks for the period produced two goals, naturally, from freakish, instinctive snaps.

After the Bombers had edged to within three points mid-term, the Hawks banged through four-straight in time-on, including Franklin's pair, to stake a cast iron claim on the four premiership points.

After floating one through from the boundary for his eighth, Franklin scored the final goal for the match, a snap from 30 with Lucas and McVeigh hanging on for grim death but powerless to stop him.

ESSENDON: 4.2, 8.3, 11.3, 15.6 (96)
HAWTHORN: 3.3, 9.5, 15.8, 20.11 (131)

GOALS: Essendon: J.Johnson 2, Welsh 2, Stanton 2, Davey 2, Johns 2, Lovett, Ryder, Lucas, Michael, Winderlich

Hawthorn: Franklin 9, Boyle 3, Dixon 3, Roughead 2, Lewis, Hodge, Murphy

BEST: Essendon: J.Johnson, McVeigh, Stanton, Fletcher, Peverill

Hawthorn: Franklin, Sewell, Crawford, Dixon, Brown, Hodge

INJURIES: Essendon: Nil

Hawthorn: Nil

REPORTS: Nil

CHANGES: Lloyd (hamstring) by Watson in Essendon's selected side; Bateman (calf) by Young in Hawthorn's selected side

UMPIRES: McBurney, Stevic, Grun

CROWD: 52,047 at the MCG

[RustyHawk]

Freo holds off brave Hawks
Brought to you by
AAP
Sunday, 13rd May, 2007 7:53:00 pm

FREMANTLE'S fluctuating season has taken another upswing, after the Dockers put a poor start behind them to withstand a Hawthorn onslaught and record their third win of 2007.

Not until four minutes from time, when Matthew Pavlich kicked his first of the day, could the Dockers truly say they had the Hawks' measure, after the visitors had broken out to a 27-point second-quarter lead.

But with youngster Adam Campbell kicking four, and Chris Tarrant playing his best game since a move from Collingwood, the Dockers eventually did enough to win 14.12 (96) to 11.14 (80) and keep their top eight ambitions alive.

In a pulsating last quarter, where the lead changed four times, James Walker's second eventually gave Freo the telling break, underlined by goals to Pavlich and then Josh Carr.

But until those final moments, the Hawks had been right in the hunt for an upset with Tim Boyle's three goals allied to Campbell Brown's defensive work and Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge's industry.

In the wash up, it was Lance Franklin's inability to take early chances - missing with his first four shots - may be seen as the difference, although Freo's marshalling of the young star was solid.

As Franklin kicked nine last week against the Bombers, Freo's early backline concentration clearly centred around the 20-year-old, allowing the Hawk's other forwards more space.

A man Freo should have known all too well, Trent Croad, did the early damage kicking two, and Freo's skills began hitting low notes.

Rare forward entries were expertly cut off by Brown, and when Boyle kicked the visitor's third without reply, the Dockers' faithful were restless.

Luke Webster's late major gave some relief, but when Jordan Lewis and then Rick Ladson majored before half-time, Freo's season was teetering precariously.

Something had to change and Connolly's directive for his midfielders to man-up worked wonders.

New Zealand-born Campbell began the revival, kicking truly after drawing a free kick.

And with the pressure rising along with the speed of delivery, Tom Murphy's awful kick fell to Paul Hasleby, whose goal added momentum seized upon by Des Headland.

After a single kick in the first term, Headland's new posting further forward paid dividends when he crumbed deep kicks from Tarrant and Paul Duffield for two goals in four minutes.

Having scores tied at half-time must have felt like a lead for the Dockers after their start, and the confidence continued to flow with three more majors in 10 minutes to complete a 46 point-reversal in a little over a quarter.

With Freo looking likely to run away with it, the Hawks then found something extra.

Boyle and Ben McGlynn's early goals in the last term gave the Hawks a lead but they could not keep it after Campbell's fourth sparked a run of four unanswered majors, delivering four precious points.

FREMANTLE 1.1 6.6 10.10 14.12 (96)

HAWTHORN 3.3 6.6 9.11 11.14 (80)

Goals
Fremantle: A Campbell 4, D Headland 2, C Tarrant 2, J Walker 2, P Hasleby, R Crowley, M Pavlich, J Carr.
Hawthorn: T Boyle 3, T Croad 2, B McGlynn 2, J Lewis, R Ladson, L Franklin, T Murphy.

Best
Fremantle: Tarrant, Crowley, McPharlin, Campbell, Black.
Hawthorn: Brown, Mitchell, Hodge, Bateman, Boyle.

Reports: A Grover (Fremantle) reported in the second quarter for wrestling B Dixon (Hawthorn), B Dixon (Hawthorn) reported in the second quarter for wrestling A Grover (Fremantle), B Dixon (Hawthorn) reported in the second quarter for striking A Grover (Fremantle).

Injuries: Nil.

Umpires: H Kennedy C Hendrie S McInerney.

[RustyHawk]

Tall forwards fire for Hawks
Brought to you by ROGER VAUGHAN
AAP
Round 8

This was a controversial match in which the tactics of both coaches, especially in the first half were questioned by all and sundry. This author felt is was more St Kilda's fault by dropping 2 and 3 players back. RH


Saturday, 19th May, 2007 9:51:00 pm
HAWTHORN has ground its way to a 28-point win over St Kilda in a frustrating game of defensive tactics at the MCG.

The match did not open up until the last quarter, when the Hawks kicked six goals to two and won 10.12 (72) to 6.8 (44).

That was easily the most productive quarter of the game - up to then, the two sides had scored only seven goals over three quarters.

Jarryd Roughead kicked three for the Hawks and Sam Mitchell had 35 possessions, while veteran Robert Harvey had 25 disposals.

Saints full-forward Fraser Gehrig kicked his two goals in the last term, but had to limp off after the second to compound a dirty night for his team.

St Kilda took the lead for the only time in the match when Nick Riewoldt goaled at the start of the third term.

Roughead replied within a minute and he also kicked the next goal of the match - after another 22 minutes of play.

Late in the third term, Saints ruckman Justin Koschitzke dangerously kicked across goal.

Typical of the standard of play tonight, Roughead and team-mate Clinton Young spoiled each other.

But Roughead quickly recovered to soccer through the goal and the Hawks went to three-quarter time 10 points in front.

Tim Boyle, Ben Dixon and Ben McGlynn goaled at the start of the last term to make it five unanswered goals for the Hawthorn and a match-winning 27-point lead.

St Kilda made their intentions clear at the opening bounce when they started two men loose in defence.

One of them, Leigh Fisher, racked up incredible statistics for a backman and most of them were uncontested - 18 marks and 32 disposals.

Late changes meant the Saints were forced to play three first-gamers - Brad Howard, David Armitage and Justin Sweeney.

None was in the team named on Thursday night, but Armitage was one of the inclusions yesterday when Matthew Clarke and Clinton Jones withdrew through injury.

A virus forced Jason Gram and Xavier Clarke to pull out today, bringing Sweeney and Howard into the team.

HAWTHORN 2.3 2.6 4.9 10.12 (72)
ST KILDA 1.2 2.4 3.5 6.8 (44)

GOALS

Hawthorn: Roughead 3, Boyle 2, Dixon, McGlynn, Campbell, Franklin, Bateman.
St Kilda: Riewoldt 2, Gehrig 2, Blake, Fiora.

BEST

Hawthorn: Mitchell, Ladson, Sewell, Lewis, Crawford, Croad, Guerra, McGlynn.
St Kilda: L Fisher, Harvey, Riewoldt, S Fisher, Montagna, Ball, Gilbert.

INJURIES

Hawthorn: Nil.
St Kilda: Gehrig (leg), Gram (virus) replaced in selected side by Howard, X Clarke (virus) replaced in selected side by Sweeney.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Vozzo, Grun, Ellis

Official crowd: 36,063 at the MCG

[RustyHawk]

Hawks too good for Eagles
Brought to you by ADAM COOPER
AAP

Round 9

Saturday, 26th May, 2007 4:39:00 pm
HAWTHORN has posted its most significant win of an encouraging season by beating reigning premier West Coast by 35 points at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

The Hawks abandoned last week's defensive tactics and blew the Eagles away with an electrifying seven-goal third quarter to win 15.9 (99) to 8.16 (64) in front of a good crowd of 18,112.

Hawthorn's victory elevated last year's battler into the top four, enhanced their excellent record at their second home and broke a string of five defeats to West Coast dating back to 2003.

West Coast's defeat was their second in three weeks, and equally concerning was an incident involving superstar Chris Judd, who appeared to put his hand in the face of Hawthorn defender Campbell Brown during the third quarter.

Judd shortened to a hot Brownlow Medal favourite during the week after teammate Daniel Kerr was suspended.

The Hawks started well with the first three goals of the game, and aided by a wind advantage, held a 19-point lead at the first change.

The Eagles gradually whittled down that deficit in the second term and Adam Hunter's snapped behind on the siren levelled the scores at the main break.

West Coast hit the front for the only time in the third quarter through a behind, but Hawthorn responded with the next five majors and broke the game open through three sensational goals.

Lance Franklin bombed one from 50 metres after breaking away from a tackle, Jordan Lewis made a courageous tap to set up Luke Hodge's third for the quarter and then Lewis snapped truly after outmarking his opponent and slipping over.

The Hawks ensured there would be no West Coast comeback in the final quarter. They kicked the first goal of the last term - to Shane Crawford - and actually outscored the Eagles by a point against the wind.

Although the Eagles midfielders won higher possession tallies, a lot of their touches were ineffective or under pressure, as Lewis, Hodge, Brad Sewell and Ben McGlynn were excellent for Hawthorn.

Defenders Stephen Gilham and Brent Guerra were also very good for the Hawks.

Michael Braun and Rowan Jones did well for the Eagles, Darren Glass was strong at fullback and Mark LeCras booted three goals, including two good snaps in the final quarter.

Hawthorn's win was their 10th from 14 games at Launceston - and a fifth straight at the ground - giving coach Alastair Clarkson his first victory over the Eagles.

HAWTHORN 5.3 5.6 12.7 15.9 (99)


WEST COAST 2.2 5.6 6.9 8.16 (64)

GOALS

Hawthorn: L Hodge 3 T Boyle 3 J Lewis 2 L Franklin M Osborne J Smith D Jacobs S Mitchell S Crawford R Ladson.
West Coast: M LeCras 3 M Seaby 2 Q Lynch R Jones S Hurn.

BEST

Hawthorn: J Lewis C Young S Gilham B Sewell B McGlynn L Hodge B Guerra G Birchall.
West Coast: M Braun D Glass R Jones M Priddis C Fletcher C Judd.

INJURIES

Hawthorn: B Dixon (knee) replaced in the selected side by D Jacobs.
West Coast: D Chick (calf) replaced in the selected side by M LeCras.

Reports: Nil.

Umpires: M Ellis S Jeffery B Rosebury.

Crowd: 18,112 at Aurora Stadium.

[RustyHawk]

Impressive Hawks down Port

Round 10

AAP
Sunday, 3rd June, 2007 4:28:00 pm
A CONFIDENT and classy Hawthorn sucked the life from committed Port Adelaide to register an comfortable 34-point victory at AAMI Stadium.

Rebounding from a pair of losses to Sydney and Geelong, and mourning the death of coach Mark Williams' much-admired mother Von, the Power began with plenty of spirit, and led by four goals in the early exchanges.

But the Hawks gradually found their momentum and capitalised on an increasing supply of Port turnovers to claim the halftime lead and eventually win 17.7 (109) to 10.15 (75).

Consummate midfield displays from Shane Crawford, Sam Mitchell, Ben McGlynn (three goals) and Luke Hodge provided more than enough of the ball for the Hawthorn forward line, where Tim Boyle (five goals) and Lance Franklin (three) finished off with aplomb.

Ruckmen Simon Taylor and Robert Campbell also had an influence as their partnership wore down the strength of All-Australian follower Brendon Lade.

The Power had numerous players start well, but only Chad Cornes, Jacob Surjan, Damon White and Shaun Burgoyne had much of an influence beyond that point.

Debutants Robert Gray and Justin Westhoff impressed in patches, Westhoff slotting three goals, including one with his first kick, but also being reported for a charge in the final term.

Port had begun intent on erasing any notion of softness in the first term, attacking Hawthorn with a visibly increased resolve.

By time on Port were 22 points clear, and they received additional inspiration when Stephen Salopek sprinted unflinchingly into a sickening collision with an airborne Joel Smith, which drew plenty of blood and held up play for about five minutes as he was stretchered from the field.

Willing as they were, the question was always going to be how long the Power could sustain the effort against a side that ran tirelessly and possessed genuine talent, not to mention confidence, on every line.

Aided by the breeze, the Hawks slowly wrested control in the second quarter, grasping the lead with a burst of three late goals, that gave them a match turning eight for the term.

Term three was not exactly free-flowing, but three Hawks majors in five minutes created a gap, and a trio of missed shots by the Power left a 17 point break.

Sporting facial bandages, Salopek returned courageously for the final term and immediately added life to Port's midfield by setting up out of sorts captain Warren Tredrea.

But Tredrea missed his undemanding shot, and three further goals to Franklin, Hodge and Boyle settled matters.


HAWTHORN 2.2 10.3 13.5 17.7 (109)

PORT ADELAIDE 5.5 8.6 9.12 10.15 (75)

Goals
Hawthorn: T Boyle 5, L Franklin 3, B McGlynn 3, L Hodge 2, J Lewis, M Osborne, B Sewell, B Guerra. Port Adelaide: J Westhoff 3, D White 2, S Salopek, B Lade, S Burgoyne, B Ebert, C Cornes.

Best
Hawthorn: S Mitchell, S Crawford, T Boyle, B McGlynn, L Hodge, B Guerra, J Lewis. Port Adelaide: C Cornes, S Burgoyne, J Surjan, K Cornes, S Salopek.

Injuries
Hawthorn: T Croad (foot) replaced in selected side by X Ellis, R Ladson (back) replaced in selected side by J Roughead, B Dixon (hamstring). Port Adelaide: S Salopek (broken nose, blurred vision).

Reports: J Westhoff (Port Adelaide) reported by field umpire K Nicholls for charging C Young (Hawthorn) in the fourth quarter.

Umpires: M Vozzo S Wenn K Nicholls

Official crowd: 23,945 at AAMI Stadium.

[RustyHawk]

Round 11

Swans win MCG arm wrestle

Brought to you by ROGER VAUGHAN
AAP

Saturday, 9th June, 2007 4:42:00 pm

THE SYDNEY Swans put the clamps on Hawthorn today to win by nine points at the MCG.

After Hawks star Lance Franklin kicked the opening two goals of the match, the Swans first shut the game down and then pulled away in the second half to win 11.9 (75) to 9.12 (66) .

Sydney co-captain Brett Kirk was outstanding with 25 possessions as the Swans broke Hawthorn's three-game winning streak and improved their win-loss record to 6-5.

Hawthorn kicked the last two goals of the match, but ran out of time.

Franklin kicked six goals to be Hawthorn's best and Nick Davis put through three for the Swans.

Sydney suffered a major blow in the first minute of the game when Tadhg Kennelly went down with a knee injury.

They were reduced to 20 fit men when ruckman Darren Jolly was hurt in the second half.

But fellow big man Peter Everitt was among the Swans' best in his first game against his old club.

Former Hawks team-mate Shane Crawford gave away a free when he knocked Everitt over in the first term, but the incident was more theatre than a serious confrontation.

Hawthorn led by three goals at the first change, but the Swans quickly responded with four unanswered goals in the second quarter to take the lead.

Two of the Swans' goals went to key defender Leo Barry after the Hawks gave away 50m penalties.

Chance Bateman goaled to put the Hawks in front by two points at the main break.

Everitt was particularly prominent in the third quarter as the Swans kicked four goals to two to lead by nine points at three-quarter time.

Davis kicked his third after a botched Hawthorn kickout and Amon Buchanan also goaled from a free to give Sydney a match-winning lead of 23 points.

HAWTHORN 4.3 5.5 7.9 9.12 (66)
SYDNEY 1.3 5.3 9.6 11.9 (75)

GOALS

Hawthorn: L Franklin 6, R Ladson, C Bateman, R Campbell
Sydney: Davis 3, L Barry 2, S Dempster, T Schmidt, A Schneider, T Richards, M O'Loughlin, A Buchanan

BEST

Hawthorn: B Sewell, C Brown, S Mitchell, L Franklin, S Crawford
Sydney: B Kirk, N Fosdike, L Barry, N Malceski, J Bolton

INJURIES


Hawthorn: TBA
Sydney: L Ablett (back) out, replaced in selected side by T Schmidt, T Kennelly (knee), D Jolly (corked knee)

Reports: TBA

Umpires: McBurney, James, Rosebury

Official crowd: 48,398 at the MCG

[RustyHawk]

Round 12

When Friday 15 June 7:40PM
Where Telstra Dome

Hawks turn it on over Blues
By Adam Cooper
AAP
Friday, 15th June, 2007 11:05:00 pm

HAWTHORN produced one of their most imposing performances of recent years in thrashing Carlton by 100 points in tonight's round 12 AFL opener at Telstra Dome.

The Hawks turned on a superb display of hard running, high-scoring football to easily cover the absence of gun forward Lance Franklin and remind a huge crowd of 53,459 of their limitless potential.

Franklin's withdrawal with a calf injury should have turned the contest into an arm wrestle and, at four goals each 20 minutes in, it appeared headed that way.

But the Hawks then unleashed their irrepressible running game to smash the Blues across the field and slam through 14 of the next 16 goals to post an emphatic 27.18 (180) to 12.8 (80) victory, which moved them alongside Geelong and West Coast on eight wins.

Jarryd Roughead fittingly stepped up in Franklin's absence and booted a career-high five goals. Luke Hodge kicked four, veteran Joel Smith was reborn in the midfield and Robert Campbell dominated the ruck.

Those four were outstanding, but the Hawks boasted winners everywhere.

Grant Birchall, Rick Ladson and Brent Guerra provided drive from the backline, Tim Boyle produced an inspired first quarter with two goals and six marks while the midfield's run, toughness and creativity devastated Carlton.

Sam Mitchell, Shane Crawford, Jordan Lewis and Brad Sewell - who was awarded the David Parkin Medal for best afield - circled their opponents like vultures and repeatedly found teammates alone with pinpoint execution, by hand or foot.

The Hawks led by over 10 goals at the final change, but where some sides would ease off, the brown and gold made up for some lost time in giving out a good towelling.

Hodge stepped up and booted three goals in the final quarter and Roughead stepped out of the shadow cast over him by Franklin ever since the pair was drafted together.

Ladson's third goal, seconds before the final siren, stretched the margin to three figures and sparked a roar from Hawthorn fans probably not heard since the club last tasted finals success, back in 2001.

Remarkably, Hawthorn began the game without injured trio Franklin, Mark Williams and Ben Dixon, who were the club's leading scorers last year.

The smashing brought Carlton back to earth with a thud in Denis Pagan's 100th game as Carlton coach, and reminded the young Blues they still have a long way to climb.

Full-forward Brendan Fevola booted three goals and started well, but ended the night ball-watching, like most of his teammates.


HAWTHORN 6.4 13.6 18.13 27.18 (180)

CARLTON 4.2 6.5 9.6 12.8 (80)

GOALS - Hawthorn: J Roughead 5, L Hodge 4, T Boyle 3, R Ladson 3, T Croad 3, J Smith 2, R Campbell 2, M Osborne, S Crawford, J Lewis, X Ellis, G Birchall. Carlton: B Fevola 3, B Fisher 2, J Waite, M Murphy, S Wiggins, A Walker, L Whitnall, K Simpson, A Koutoufides.

BEST - Hawthorn: B Sewell, L Hodge, J Smith, S Mitchell, J Roughead, R Campbell, R Ladson, S Crawford. Carlton: A Carrazzo, M Murphy, K Simpson, H Scotland.

CROWD: 53,459 at Telstra Dome.

UMPIRES: M Avon S McBurney K Nicholls.

INJURIES - Hawthorn: L Franklin (calf) replaced in the selected side by X Ellis. Carlton: C Ackland (broken nose).

[RustyHawk]

Round 13

RH: For the second week in a row the Hawks go to the Telstra Dome with a crowd of over 50,000 in attendance. Unlike the week before against bottom placed Carlton, this week was against a team in the top 5 with the winner going to second on the AFL ladder.

Match Notes
When Sunday 1 July 5:10PM
Where Telstra Dome

Match Specifics
Hawks home in a thriller
By Adam Cooper
AAP
Sunday, 1st July, 2007 8:22:00 pm

STRONG-MARKING, goalkicking forwards proved the difference for Hawthorn, which tonight beat Collingwood by eight points at Telstra Dome.

The Hawks were able to call on Lance Franklin for four goals, Jarryd Roughead for three and Tim Boyle for two, and that trio proved pivotal in the 15.5 (95) to 12.15 (87) win, played before a big crowd of 50,248.

Hawthorn also had to withstand another inspiring Collingwood performance in one of the contenders for game of the season.

The Magpies rallied from 16 points down in the last quarter to hit the front, before Hawk Michael Osborne marked and restored Hawthorn's lead for good, Roughead then booting the sealer.

After a tough first half where both sides' midfields shared periods of dominance and a point separated the sides at the main break, Franklin and his mates played significant parts in the third quarter and the start of the last.

They all took big grabs inside the forward 50 and were able to stretch the undermanned Collingwood backline - still missing a handful of its best defenders - beyond its limit.

The Magpies were unable to match the Hawks' efficiency in attack and were also ruing a bad conversion rate, as they failed to make the most of their opportunities when shooting for goal, in contrast to the Hawks' good finishing.

Hawthorn looked to have won the armwrestle when Franklin again proved too strong in the air for Tyson Goldsack and then Shane Crawford booted another goal, which put the Hawks 16 points up seven minutes into the final quarter.

But Collingwood rallied and conjured goals through some hard running and desperate ball use, and looked like winning against the odds when Dale Thomas marked Dane Swan's quick kick in the goalsquare and put the Pies in front.

But Osborne's strong mark when two Magpie defenders could not apply a spoil and resultant goal and Roughead's contested mark and major continued the Hawks' strong season, and put them on nine wins, equal with reigning premiers West Coast.

Collingwood now have an 8-5 record and find themselves among a ruck of teams on 32 points.

Hawthorn's win was their first over Collingwood since 2003.

Midfield stars Crawford and Sam Mitchell were two of Hawthorn's best, along with Osborne, Franklin, Roughead and Chance Bateman, while Boyle appeared to injure a hamstring in the third quarter.

Collingwood's best included Swan, defender Nick Maxwell, onballer Shane O'Bree and Irishman Martin Clarke, who booted the first three goals of his career.

Debutant Ben Reid showed good signs although was wayward when shooting for goal, but the Magpies badly missed the presence of the suspended Anthony Rocca in attack.

Magpie forward Alan Didak ended a turbulent week, in which he was interviewed by police over his encounter with alleged CBD gunman Christopher Hudson, by playing, although he had a largely quiet night.

Didak was jeered by Hawk fans whenever he got the ball, but did get a long and loud applause from Magpie fans when he snapped a trademark goal in the second quarter and then booted one in his side's charge in the last quarter.

HAWTHORN 4.2 7.4 11.5 15.5 (95)

COLLINGWOOD 3.5 6.9 9.12 12.15 (87)

GOALS
Hawthorn: L Franklin 4 J Roughead 3 T Boyle 2 S Crawford 2 M Osborne 2 C Young R Ladson.
Collingwood: M Clarke 3 P Medhurst 2 D Thomas 2 A Didak 2 B Reid T Cloke L Davis.

BEST
Hawthorn: S Crawford J Roughead S Mitchell L Franklin B Sewell M Osborne C Young C Bateman.
Collingwood: D Swan S O'Bree N Maxwell T Lockyer M Clarke H Shaw L Davis.

INJURIES
Collingwood: H O'Brien (shoulder) replaced in selected side by P Medhurst. Hawthorn: T Boyle (hamstring).


Reports: Nil.


Umpires: S Jeffery S McInerney B Rosebury.

Official crowd: 50,248 at Telstra Dome.

[RustyHawk]

Round 14

Jarryd Roughead flew in Sunday Morning to take his place in the team due to the late withdrawal of Croad and Ladson. X Ellis who was the 1st emergency had travelled with the team the previous day. Roughead played for Box Hill on the Saturday kicking a few goals. 2 games in 2 days. Not that you would know it reading the following Adelaide centric rubbish by Steve Larkin.

When Saturday 7 July 7:10PM
Where AAMI Stadium

Experienced Crows too strong for Hawthorn
By Steve Larkin
AAP
Saturday, 7th July, 2007 10:32:00 pm
ADELAIDE'S inspirational captain Mark Ricciuto and his band of elder statesmen have combined to crush Hawthorn by 71 points in their clash at AAMI Stadium.

Ricciuto kicked four goals as the Crows flew from ninth place on the ladder to fifth with the resounding 15.12 (102) to 4.7 (31) victory.

The second-placed Hawks were outplayed in all facets suffering a lamentable night, unable to crack the code of Adelaide's miserly defence led by a sublime Andrew McLeod.

The veteran midfielder simply lapped up the freedom in an instrumental 39-possession best-on-ground performance.

His fellow 30-year-old Tyson Edwards amassed a stunning 41 possessions, and with the 31-year-old Ricciuto's bag of goals, the veteran trio crushed Hawthorn from the outset.

The Crows notched the initial four goals of the game, despite kicking into a strong wind, and their 4.2 to 1.2 quarter-time lead was a sign of things to come.

Adelaide's tackling pressure suffocated the Hawks, whose skills wilted as they fell 33-points behind at half-time.

Hawthorn's hopes of a wind-assisted revival in the third term were snuffed as the home side delighted a parochial 34,733 home crowd with three consecutive majors which established an irreversible 55-point advantage.

Ricciuto, in his fourth game back from a nine-month injury absence, kicked the first goal of the match and his four majors matched the entire tally from an error prone Hawthorn.

Playing at full forward, the Brownlow medallist led and marked strongly and found able attacking allies in Ken McGregor, Nathan Bock and Scott Welsh, who each chipped in with two goals.

The Crows' forward line feasted on a frequent supply from the likes of Edwards and his onball colleagues Scott Thompson, whose 100th game reaped 39 disposals, Chris Knights (33 touches) and Simon Goodwin (33), who was a creative force in his return from knee injury.

In stark contrast, Hawthorn's gun goalsneak Lance Franklin was starved of opportunities and held to just one goal and five possessions by his unheralded opponent, Kris Massie.

Veteran Shane Crawford gave a spirited display while Jordan Lewis and Ben McGlynn were other Hawks who battled gamely against an overwhelming Adelaide outfit.

ADELAIDE 4.2 8.6 11.10 15.12 (102)

HAWTHORN 1.1 3.3 4.4 4.7 (31)

GOALS - Adelaide: M Ricciuto 4, K McGregor 2, S Welsh 2, N Bock 2, I Maric 2, S Goodwin, T Edwards, C Knights. Hawthorn: B McGlynn, L Franklin, J Roughead, T Croad.

BEST - Adelaide: A McLeod, M Ricciuto, T Edwards, S Thompson, G Johncock, C Knights, S Goodwin. Hawthorn: R Ladson, S Crawford, B McGlynn, G Birchall, J Lewis.

Umpires: D Margetts S Ryan K Nichols

Official crowd: 34,733 at AAMI Stadium.

INJURIES - Adelaide: J Porplyzia (hamstring). Hawthorn: C Bateman (leg), D Jacobs (heavy knock).

Reports: Nil.

Round 14, Football Park, 07-Jul-2007
Adelaide 4.2 8.6 11.10 15.12 102
Hawthorn 1.1 3.3 4.4 4.7 31

Brownlow Medal 3:Andrew McLeod (AD) 2:Mark Ricciuto (AD) 1:Scott Thompson (AD)

Adelaide Match Stats Career
Player Kicks Marks H.Balls Disp Goals Bhd H.O. Tack FrF FrA Games Goals
44 Nathan Bock 11 5 3 14 2 2 2 1 1 55 45
24 Brett Burton 7 3 6 13 1 5 1 142 190
11 Michael Doughty 7 5 13 20 1 1 1 114 30
9 Tyson Edwards 20 10 21 41 1 1 3 1 257 159
36 Simon Goodwin 7 8 26 33 1 1 3 3 1 206 117
13 Ben Hudson 3 4 10 13 17 4 2 1 47 6
18 Graham Johncock 13 6 8 21 4 1 117 80
21 Chris Knights 17 5 15 32 1 1 3 1 1 26 5
20 Ivan Maric 2 5 6 8 2 3 3 9 3
3 Kris Massie 4 3 6 10 1 110 21
16 Ken McGregor 8 6 6 14 2 2 1 1 140 101
23 Andrew McLeod 26 4 13 39 3 1 274 241
40 Jason Porplyzia 3 3 6 1 2 1 20 17
33 Brent Reilly 11 6 6 17 2 2 1 77 35
32 Mark Ricciuto 13 7 4 17 4 2 1 1 308 287
25 Ben Rutten 2 4 9 11 1 74 5
12 Robert Shirley 5 3 12 17 3 1 2 111 22
27 Scott Stevens 7 4 4 11 2 70 48
5 Scott Thompson 19 8 20 39 2 1 6 1 1 100 76
15 Jason Torney 8 3 7 15 8 1 186 29
7 Nathan van Berlo 9 3 9 18 1 7 1 3 44 12
17 Scott Welsh 4 1 5 9 2 1 1 157 282
Rushed 3
206 103 212 418 15 12 25 64 21 16 2644 1811
Hawthorn Match Stats Career
Player Kicks Marks H.Balls Disp Goals Bhd H.O. Tack FrF FrA Games Goals
10 Chance Bateman 2 1 3 1 2 86 26
14 Grant Birchall 13 5 15 28 1 1 2 2 30 4
30 Campbell Brown 8 5 3 11 3 1 87 34
39 Robert Campbell 5 4 6 11 1 15 3 1 68 15
9 Shane Crawford 13 10 13 26 6 1 281 215
24 Trent Croad 3 2 3 6 1 1 192 187
32 Xavier Ellis 9 7 12 21 3 1 9 2
23 Lance Franklin 4 2 1 5 1 2 1 2 47 92
27 Stephen Gilham 7 6 5 12 8 19 0
18 Brent Guerra 10 4 11 21 4 1 125 88
15 Luke Hodge 13 9 6 19 1 3 1 3 102 59
8 Danny Jacobs 6 4 2 8 1 126 29
4 Rick Ladson 17 2 13 30 3 1 64 30
3 Jordan Lewis 13 8 14 27 3 53 13
22 Ben McGlynn 11 7 6 17 1 1 5 2 2 18 11
5 Sam Mitchell 9 4 11 20 5 2 100 18
2 Jarryd Roughead 2 2 7 9 1 1 48 35
12 Brad Sewell 10 5 12 22 2 1 1 54 4
11 Joel Smith 8 5 10 18 1 1 211 90
13 Simon Taylor 3 2 8 11 15 3 38 9
33 Josh Thurgood 7 4 4 11 4 1 13 1
45 Clinton Young 14 11 13 27 1 1 34 8
Rushed 0
187 108 176 363 4 7 30 54 16 21 1805 970

[RustyHawk]

Round 15

When Sunday 15 July 2:10PM
Where Melbourne Cricket Ground

Big second half sees Hawks home

Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network
Sunday, 15th July, 2007 5:01:00 pm

HAWTHORN overpowered Richmond at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, Jarryd Roughead kicking five goals in a decisive 53-point victory.

The Hawks are clear in second place on the ladder, pending the Kangaroos’ result in Perth on Sunday evening, showing too much strength up forward for Richmond and dominating the second half to triumph 19. 15 (129) to 11. 10 (76).

The Hawks led 9. 7 (61) to 8. 4 (52) at the long break after they pegged back the Tigers, who burst out of the blocks.

Matthew Richardson strolled into an open goal to commence scoring at the MCG with just over a minute on the clock, set up by Nathan Brown, who was red hot early.

Jake King kicked another for the Tigers, before Jarryd Roughead replied for Hawthorn.

Shane Edwards then slotted a screamer from an almost impossible angle in the left forward pocket and Jay Shulz put Richmond three goals up with a mark and goal.

Goals to Luke Hodge and Ben McGlynn put the Hawks within a kick, but Richmond were really showing aggression, and kicked away again through Kayne Pettifer.

Roughead kicked his second late in the quarter and Richmond led 5. 1 (31) to 4. 3 (27) at quarter time.

Hawthorn kicked the first four of the second term, Roughead with another two, and majors to Shane Crawford and Ben Dixon put them out by 19 points.

Nathan Brown was looking most likely up forward for the Tigers, and kicked Richmond’s first goal for almost a quarter at the 19-minute mark.

Shulz then kicked his second from a tough angle, and Brown made it three in a row, running into an open goal to make the gap two points.

Hawthorn completed the scoring in the half however, Jordan Lewis making the gap nine points at the long break.

Debutant Mitch Thorp kicked his first goal in league footy to slot the initial major of the second half, and Shane Tuck replied for the Tigers to put them back within 10 points.

Jarryd Roughead kicked a great snap soon after, brushing off a defender and showing great hands to kick his fifth, and Lance Franklin chimed in to put the Hawks out by 22 points.

Kayne Johnson did his best to keep Richmond in the contest with his first goal, but Ben McGlynn and Franklin both kicked their second to open up a 27-point lead for the Hawks, the biggest margin of the match.

A five-goal-to-two quarter gave the Hawks a 14. 10 (94) to 10. 6 (66) lead going into the final term.

Campbell Brown evaded Matthew Richardson’s determined chase to kick an inspirational goal early in the last quarter to lift the Hawks. Rick Ladson added another at the seven-minute mark, and Hawthorn led by 40 points.

Pettifer slotted his second, but Robert Campbell marked strongly soon after and goaled from 15 metres out to restore the match-winning lead.

Two more Franklin goals ensured the Hawks were home, the club’s tenth win of the season.

Crawford had 30 touches for the Hawks, and Lewis was also creative with 29 possessions. Best for Richmond were Johnson (28 possessions) and Joel Bowden, who had 34 touches.


HAWTHORN 4.2 9.7 14.10 19.15 (129)
RICHMOND 5.1 8.4 10.6 11.10 (76)

Goals
Hawthorn: J Roughead 5 L Franklin 4 B McGlynn 2 J Lewis R Ladson S Crawford L Hodge B Dixon C Brown M Thorp R Campbell.
Richmond: N Brown 2 K Pettifer 2 J Schulz 2 S Edwards M Richardson K Johnson S Tuck J King.

Best
Hawthorn: S Mitchell S Crawford J Roughead J Smith T Croad C Bateman.
Richmond: N Foley C Newman G Polak C Hyde N Brown G Tivendale.

Injuries: Nil


Reports: Nil


Umpires: M Stevic S Grun D Goldspink.


Official crowd: 41,770 at the MCG.

[RustyHawk]

Round 16

Matt Little's only senior appearance for Hawthorn in his 3 seasons at Hawthorn. Replaced the exciting Mitch Thorp in selected side.

Match Notes
When Saturday 21 July 7:15PM
Where Telstra Dome

Match Saints triumph by 17 points
By Roger Vaughn
AAP
Saturday, 21st July, 2007 10:30:00 pm
ST KILDA have survived a late burst from Hawthorn star Lance Franklin to win their match by 17 points at Telstra Dome.

The 14.11 (95) to 11.12 (78) win was the Saints' fourth in five matches and they are now well in finals contention while the Hawks could fall from second spot.

St Kilda now have eight wins and are equal on points with Adelaide and Essendon after their losses earlier on Saturday.

Luke Ball kicked three goals and had 31 possessions for the Saints in a best on ground effort, while Nick Riewoldt also put through three majors.

Franklin made up for his earlier inaccuracy with the last three goals of the game, giving him 5.5 for the night.

The Saints' surge followed a four-game losing streak, sparked by their round-eight loss to the Hawks at the MCG.

St Kilda kicked the opening two goals of the last term for a match-winning 34-point lead.

Midfielders Nick Dal Santo and Leigh Montagna were superb, while Leigh Fisher's tag on Sam Mitchell and Jason Blake's run-with role on Shane Crawford were also important.

Luke Hodge was best for the Hawks with 29 disposals.

The Saints led by 14 points at half-time but the Hawks drew to within eight points with two consecutive goals early in the third term.

Just when Hawthorn threatened, St Kilda had a succession of centre clearances and goals to Dal Santo and Riewoldt put them back in control.

The Hawks replied, but Ball's third goal before three-quarter time meant St Kilda led by 21 points at the last change.

There were ominous signs tonight that there would be a repeat of the round-eight shocker when only one goal was scored in the first 17 minutes of the match in perfect conditions under the Telstra Dome roof.

But the Saints started to find ways into attack and kicked two of the last three goals for the quarter to lead by five points.

The game eventually opened up, especially in the second half.

The Hawks could have hit the front midway through the second term when Stephen Gilham marked inside 50m.

But Franklin gave away a free off the ball and St Kilda quickly moved the ball up the other end.

Riewoldt scored in what was effectively a two-goal play, putting the Saints 11 points ahead.

At least three goals in the second quarter came from shocking turnovers as backmen either end of the ground had their kicks intercepted.

Matt Little made his senior debut tonight as a late replacement for one-gamer Mitch Thorp.

Little, a cousin of James Hird's, nearly had a dream start to his AFL career in the first minute of the game.

Hawthorn won the ball at the first bounce and Little marked the long kick out of the middle, but his shot for goal was a behind.

The only bad news for St Kilda came when utility Shane Birss left the field in distress during the last term with his hands on his eyes. Birss suffered retina damage to his right eye in a freak accident early in the 2003 season while playing for the Western Bulldogs and appeared to suffer a similar injury.

ST KILDA 3.2 8.4 12.7 14.11 (95)

HAWTHORN 2.3 5.8 8.10 11.12 (78)

GOALS - St Kilda: L Ball 3, N Riewoldt 3, S Milne 2, L Hayes, F Gehrig, L Montagna, J Koschitzke, N Dal Santo, A Fiora. Hawthorn: L Franklin 5, B Dixon 2, B Sewell, S Taylor, B McGlynn, X Ellis.

BEST - St Kilda: L Ball, N Riewoldt, L Montagna, N Dal Santo, L Hayes, J Blake. Hawthorn: L Hodge, L Franklin, B Sewell, C Young, J Smith.

Umpires: H Kennedy, D Sully, M Head.

Official crowd: 37,847.

INJURIES - St Kilda: S Birss (eye). Hawthorn: M Thorp (soreness) replaced in selected side by M Little, X Ellis (hip).

Reports: Nil.

[RustyHawk]

Round 17

Beau Dowler's only senior appearance for 2007. Franklin and Mitchell both out of the selected side replaced by Dowler and Tuck. Shane Crawford injured his knee.

Match Notes
When Sunday 29 July 1:10PM
Where Aurora Stadium

Match Specifics
Match ReportTeamsStatisticsVideo & AudioMatch NewsKangaroos raze Hawks’ Tasmanian fortress

Brought to you by AAP
Sunday, 29th July, 2007 4:42:00 pm
THE KANGAROOS have tightened their hold on second place on the ladder, cruising to a 16.12 (108) to 10.11 (71) win over Hawthorn at Launceston's Aurora Stadium.

Corey Jones starred with seven goals for the winners, while Hamish McIntosh dominated in the ruck and midfield speedster Brent Harvey ran rampant.

The contrast in the two sides' styles was obvious, with the Kangaroos far more direct, while the Hawks chipped the ball around the wings and were impotent going forward.

The Hawks weren't helped by the loss of star forward Lance Franklin (illness) and ball-winning midfielder Sam Mitchell (calf), who were both late withdrawals from the side.

The Kangaroos were nine points ahead after a scrappy, low-scoring first term, in which Jones kicked their only two goals, the second a clever crumbing effort under pressure.

Their lead was still only nine points 16 minutes into the second term, when a temper tantrum by Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis cost his side badly.

He gave away a free kick for holding the ball on the wing and then conceded two 50m penalties, one for remonstrating and the second for angrily swinging his left arm at the Kangaroos' Daniel Harris.

The penalties took free kick recipient Jones to point-blank range, where he slotted home his fourth goal.

It was the start of a game-breaking run for the Roos, who added three more for the half, including two to second-gamer Djaran Whyman, to build a 31-point lead by the long break.

The last goal of the first half was scored by McIntosh, with the help of some defensive slackness by the Hawks.

Hawthorn were crowding the Roos' defence in the final minutes, but somehow McIntosh managed to sneak into the forward pocket and mark virtually unopposed, before sending home a mongrel kick from about 15m.

The Kangaroos added the first two goals of the third quarter, the first a brilliant snap by Drew Petrie while falling over in the goal-square and the second to Harvey, to build their lead to 41 points.

Hawthorn finally broke their goal-drought in time-on with a long left-foot shot by Clinton Young, but the Kangaroos responded almost immediately, with Jones given space to receive a handball at half-forward, wheel around and slam home his fifth.

With the contest over, the last term was a goal-fest, with the Hawks adding six consolation goals, while the Kangaroos scored five, two of them to Jones to build his tally, while Aaron Edwards took a mark of the year contender over Stephen Gilham in the goalsquare to score his sole major.

Kangaroos 2.5 8.7 11.10 16.12 (108)
Hawthorn 1.2 3.6 4.11 10.11 (71)

GOALS
Kangaroos: Jones 7, Petrie 2, Sansbury 2, Whyman 2, McIntosh, Edwards, Harvey
Hawthorn: Croad 2, Dowler 2, Roughead, Hodge, Dixon, Vandenberg, McGlynn, Young

BEST
Kangaroos: Jones, Harvey, McIntosh, Harris, Firrito, Archer
Hawthorn: Hodge, Bateman, Crawford, Lewis, Young, Sewell

INJURIES
Kangaroos: Wells (knee) replaced in selected side by Edwards, Firrito (jarred back). Hawthorn: Crawford (knee), Franklin (illness) replaced in selected side by Dowler, Mitchell (calf) replaced in selected side by Tuck.

Reports: Lewis (Hawthorn) reported by field umpire Nicholls for allegedly striking Harris (Kangaroos) in second quarter

Umpires: S McInerney S Ryan K Nicholls

Official crowd: 19,114 at Aurora Stadium

[RustyHawk]

Round 18

Franklin and Mitchell come back and make a huge difference after a couple of ordinary weeks.

Match Notes
When Sunday 5 August 2:10PM
Where Melbourne Cricket Ground

Match Specifics
Match ReportTeamsStatisticsVideo & AudioMatch NewsHawks revive top-four hopes
Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network
with AAP
Sunday, 5th August, 2007 4:43:00 pm
HAWTHORN has revived its top-four ambitions and dented Essendon’s finals hopes, winning the traditional ‘line-in-the-sand’ match at the MCG by 63 points.

The Hawks kicked six goals to none in the final term to shut out the Bombers in a scrappy game, winning 17.17 (119) to 7.14 (56).
Hawthorn badly needed a win after losing three of their last four and Lance Franklin responded, kicking four goals.

Key defenders Trent Croad and Campbell Brown were also outstanding for the winners, restricting Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas to a combined three goals.

The Bombers started strongly, but could only manage six behinds in the early rain.

After a bad turnover by Essendon as they tried to clear the ball out of defence, Franklin kicked the first goal of the game at 19 minutes.

Franklin also kicked the second as the Hawks went into quarter time leading four goals to nil.

Essendon did not kick their first goal until 15 minutes into the second term, when key defender Dustin Fletcher received a generous 50m penalty after a mark and kicked from long range.

The Bombers kicked two more goals to keep themselves in the game at half time as the Hawks led by 25 points.

Hawthorn increased their lead to 41 points at 19 minutes in the third quarter and the match looked over.

Essendon then kicked four of the next five to reduce the margin to 23 points at three-quarter time, to briefly suggest an unlikely comeback.

The Hawks received great service from returning duo Sam Mitchell and Lance Franklin, who were both late withdrawals from the side that lost to the Kangaroos in Launceston last week.

Mitchell scorched the Bombers with 19 possessions in the first half, finishing with 29, alongside Jordan Lewis (30 touches) and Grant Birchall (28).


Brent Stanton worked hard for Essendon, finishing with 30 possessions and Dustin Fletcher was solid in defence with 26 touches, but the Dons struggled up forward where Lloyd was their leading goalkicker with just two.

Hawthorn 4.4 7.9 11.11 17.17 (119)
Essendon 0.6 3.8 7.12 7.14 (56)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 4, Roughead 3, Crawford 2, Dixon 2, Ladson 2, Bateman, Boyle, Gilham, Vandenberg
Essendon: Lloyd 2, Fletcher, Lucas, Monfries, Peverill, Slattery


BEST
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Bateman, Brown, Croad, Birchall, Franklin, Crawford, Lewis
Essendon: Fletcher, Stanton

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Essendon: Gumbleton (late withdrawal) replaced in selected side by A Monfries

Reports: Nil

Umpires: R Chamberlain M Ellis K Nicholls

Official crowd: 55,019 at the MCG

[RustyHawk]

Round 19

Match Notes
When Saturday 11 August 2:10PM
Where Melbourne Cricket Ground

Impressive win puts Hawthorn second

Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network
Saturday, 11st August, 2007 4:45:00 pm
HAWTHORN occupy second position on the AFL ladder, albeit temporarily, after defeating the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

Only Geelong lie ahead of the Hawks, pending other results over the weekend, after their convincing 24-point victory at the MCG.

Brisbane, wearing their popular Fitzroy away jumper, shot out of the blocks early, posting the first three scoring shots, including goals to Luke Power and Jamie Charman.

The pressure in midfield was enormous, with ferocious tackling from both teams, but Luke Hodge broke the shackles to lodge the Hawks’ first major after 10 minutes.

A flurry of behinds followed for the next 10 minutes, before Robert Copeland goaled for the Lions to open up an early 15-point lead.

Hawthorn began to get on top from that point, having the last five shots on goal in the quarter, including goals to Ben Dixon and Clinton Young.

Tim Boyle then slotted his first after the quarter-time siren from 50m to put the Hawks in front 4. 3 (27) to 3. 4 (22) at the first change.

The opening exchanges of the second term were again even, but the Lions re-took the lead when Jason Roe found Jonathan Brown on the lead, and the big forward kicked truly for his first of the day.

It was tough to find space in the midfield, but Lance Franklin managed to break the deadlock for Hawthorn to give them a slender two-point lead,

Brown was starting to have a big impact though, and he replied for the Lions almost immediately, before Luke Power again found the AFL’s form forward and Brown kicked his third of the term.

The 10-point deficit was again short lived, left-footer Franklin kicking his second from a tight angle.

But it was Brown’s quarter, and in the shadows of half time the former Fitzroy fan kicked his fourth goal of the day and 63rd for the year to give his team an 11-point break.

Franklin capped the shoot-out with a cracking goal from the sideline from 50m to make the score at the long break 7. 9 (51) to 7. 4 (46), as the players jostled their way off the field.

The Hawks set the pace in the third term, dominating possession and retaking the lead through Jarryd Roughead and Dixon’s second, as Boyle hit the post twice.

In open play, Franklin kicked his fourth from point-blank range and the Hawks were out by 15 points.

Brown was in sensational form though, keeping the Lions in touch with his fifth, another booming effort from outside 50m.

Luke Hodge restored the Hawks’ advantage straight away after milking a 50m penalty and they increased their lead when Ben McGlynn opened his account for the day.

The lead became 27 points when Hodge goaled, set up by Trent Croad, and when Franklin kicked his fifth, it began to look very grim for the Lions.

Cheynee Stiller reduced the damage slightly for the Lions with the final goal of the term, but Hawthorn’s seven in the quarter gave them a 28-point break at the last change, 14. 8 (92) to 9. 10 (64).

Rhan Hooper gave the Lions a glimmer of hope when he kicked the first goal in the final term, but the Hawks wouldn’t be denied, and dominated the rest of the quarter, kicking their first through the strong-marking Roughead.

The big forward kicked his fourth soon after, and then the hard-running Chance Bateman goaled to put the issue beyond doubt.

Power’s second, a sixth from Brown and Stiller’s second were a mere consolation as the Hawthorn fans started singing in the rain at the MCG, celebrating their team’s 17. 13 (115) to 13. 13 (91) victory.

Brent Guerra had 28 touches in Hawthorn's outstanding midfield, while for the Lions, Luke Power tried all day and had 34 possessions.


The Hawks now have a 12-7 win-loss record, while Brisbane now face having to win all their three remaining matches to make the final eight.

The Lions have to play Sydney, Adelaide and Geelong in their last three games as they remain in a log-jam near the fringe of the eight.

HAWTHORN 4.3 7.4 14.8 17.13 (115)
BRISBANE LIONS 3.4 7.9 9.10 13.13 (91)


Goals
Hawthorn: L Franklin 5 B Dixon 3 J Roughead 3 L Hodge 2 C Bateman T Boyle B McGlynn C Young.
Brisbane Lions: J Brown 6 L Power 2 C Stiller 2 J Charman R Copeland R Hooper.


Best
Hawthorn: L Hodge S Mitchell J Lewis L Franklin G Birchall S Crawford C Brown.
Brisbane Lions: J Brown L Power J Adcock J Charman N Lappin C Begley.

Injuries
Hawthorn: Vandenberg (knee), Ladson (cut head)
Brisbane Lions: Charman (finger)

Reports: Nil.

[RustyHawk]

Round 20

Match Notes
When Sunday 19 August 1:10PM
Where Aurora Stadium

Port pinch a Tassie thriller

Brought to you by AAP
Sunday, 19th August, 2007 5:48:00 pm
PORT Adelaide has claimed second spot on the ladder, coming from behind to beat Hawthorn with the last play of their round 20 clash at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

Brett Ebert booted a goal with three seconds left as the Power kicked two goals in the final minute to win 12.15 (87) to 12.10 (82) and post their 13th victory of the season.

After Ebert's goal the ball returned to the centre but the final siren sounded once the umpire bounced the ball.

Daniel Motlop brought the Power back to within a kick after he goaled from a mark from the top of the goal square and then in the next move forward, Ebert marked on a tight angle 15 metres out with 30 seconds left.

His goal capped a remarkable win for the Power, who shot to a 16-point lead after a strong first quarter but then appeared to let the game slip by managing only one goal in the next two quarters.

They had to rally from 16 points down at the final change.

Port got back into the match through two goals courtesy of 50m penalties but the Hawks still looked safe with a minute remaining until Jordan Lewis missed a set shot.

That allowed Port to go forward for Motlop, whose third goal gave his side life.

Midfielder Kane Cornes was outstanding with three goals for the Power while keeping Hawks rival Sam Mitchell to a moderate game, while Chad Cornes and Danyle Pearce were good throughout.

Jarryd Roughead and Ben Dixon both booted three goals for Hawthorn, while half-back Chance Bateman was solid throughout and Trent Croad kept Warren Tredrea quiet.

The Hawks are not yet assured of a finals berth and have tough games remaining as they strive to keep their top-four spot, against the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome next Sunday and the Sydney Swans at the SCG in round 22.

Hawthorn 4.0 8.4 10.9 12.10 (82)
Port Adelaide 6.4 6.8 7.11 12.15 (87)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Dixon 3, Roughead 3, Franklin 2, Hodge, Lewis, McGlynn, Young
Port Adelaide: K Cornes 3, Motlop 3, S Burgoyne, Ebert, Lade, Pearce, Salopek, Westhoff

BEST
Hawthorn: Young, Bateman, Croad, Roughead, Mitchell, Crawford, Gilham
Port Adelaide: K Cornes, P Burgoyne, Pearce, Motlop, Cassisi, Thomson, C Cornes, Chaplin, Boak

Injuries: Nil

Reports: Motlop (Port Adelaide) reported by emergency umpire R Chamberlain for wrestling Hodge (Hawthorn) in the third quarter. Hodge (Hawthorn) reported by emergency umpire R Chamberlain for wrestling Motlop (Port Adelaide) in the third quarter.

Umpires: D Goldspink S Meredith M Stevic

Official Crowd: 15,264 at Aurora Stadium

[RustyHawk]

Round 21

Match Notes
When Sunday 26 August 1:10PM
Where Telstra Dome

Hawks crush Bulldogs

AAP
Sunday, 26th August, 2007 5:41:00 pm
Hawthorn moved back into the top four after overcoming a slow start to crush the Western Bulldogs by 84 points at Telstra Dome today.

The Hawks found themselves 28 points down in the first quarter through a combination of five Bulldogs goals and an extraordinary run of the yips from Hawk Lance Franklin, whose six first-term shots at goal registered five points and another rushed behind.

But sensing the danger of what a loss could mean in the penultimate round, the Hawks lifted in the second quarter and then dominated in the second half to turn that early scare into a percentage-boosting 22.19 (151) to 10.7 (67) victory.

The gulf between the teams after the main break was reflected by a scoreline that read 16 goals to two in Hawthorn's favour.

The impressive victory moved Hawthorn back into the top four and guaranteed their first finals campaign since 2001, but they will only be assured of earning the double chance if they beat Sydney at the SCG next Sunday.

The Western Bulldogs are now officially out of contention for the finals.

Hawthorn's dynamic midfield and strong-marking forwards proved the difference in the end, and they ran the game out hard.

Luke Hodge inspired his side in the third quarter and had a day out with six goals, Jordan Lewis booted four, and Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell gave their side the dominance from the centre square and at stoppages.

Hodge's ability to influence games was evident in the third term when he gathered three possessions in one passage of play and speared a long kick to Franklin, who put his side 14 points up.

Hodge then booted four goals in the final quarter to stamp himself a clear best afield.

Franklin finished with the extraordinarily inaccurate figures of 2.9.

He had a snap rushed behind in the opening stages of the game, missed several set shots and also missed a chance when he tried to run into goal, when he had his kick brilliantly smothered by Andrew McDougall. He also hit the post twice.

Jarryd Roughead also booted three goals for Hawthorn, along with Ben Dixon in his 200th game.

The Bulldogs faded badly after such a bright start, and managed only five goals after quarter-time and none in the final quarter, where they barely registered a yelp.

The Bulldogs finish off their season against the Kangaroos next Sunday.



HAWTHORN 1.7 6.9 13.14 22.19 (151)

WESTERN BULLDOGS 5.3 8.3 10.6 10.7 (67)

Goals
Hawthorn: L Hodge 6 J Lewis 4 J Roughead 3 B Dixon 3 L Franklin 2 R Campbell G Birchall C Brown C Young.
Western Bulldogs: L Gilbee 3 L Darcy 2 D Giansiracusa F Ray W Skipper A Cooney J Akermanis.

Best
Hawthorn: L Hodge J Lewis S Mitchell C Brown B Sewell S Crawford R Campbell L Franklin.
Western Bulldogs: S West N Eagleton B Harris D Cross.

INJURIES
Hawthorn: McGlynn (adductor) replaced in the selected side by Vandenberg.

REPORTS
Morris (W Bulldogs) reported in the second quarter for making forceful contact from front-on to Young (Haw).

Umpires: S Grun D Margetts D Sully.

Official crowd: 32,734 at Telstra Dome.

[RustyHawk]

Round 22

If Hawthorn won we would have finished 4th. Swans could not move their final 8 spot. For some reason they go hard and win only to lose and be knocked out in the first week of the finals.

Match Notes
When Sunday 2 September 1:10PM
Where Sydney Cricket Ground

Swans in seventh heaven
By James Dampney
AAP
Sunday, 2nd September, 2007 5:22:00 pm
SYDNEY have produced one of their best performances of the season to crush Hawthorn by 72 points at the SCG and charge into the finals.

In an telling sign the Swans are far from a spent force this season, they led the Hawks by a massive 71 points after a scintillating first half and ultimately cruised to a 22.9 (141) to 10.9 (69) triumph that leaves them in seventh place on the AFL ladder.

Sydney will now carry plenty of confidence to the MCG next week to face Collingwood in an elimination final, while Hawthorn are likely to host Adelaide.

Playing with a more open forward line through the absence of Barry Hall (hamstring), the likes of Nick Davis (four goals), Michael O'Loughlin (four) and Ryan O'Keefe (three) had a field day against an outclassed Hawks defensive line.

Today's display, coupled with the Swans' vast finals experience, means they loom as a team others will want to avoid throughout September.

There was no sign of what was to come when Buddy Franklin marked outside 50m in the opening 15 seconds of the game and coolly slotted home to get the scoring underway.

Moments later Franklin glided down the right wing and just missed his second as the budding superstar appeared ready for a day out on the SCG.

But that would prove Hawthorn's last scoring shot until the dying seconds of the term as the Swans clicked into gear and began to dominate proceedings.

Sydney kicked five straight goals, with O'Loughlin, Davis and Adam Goodes all prominent, to deflate the Hawks, who made repeated skill errors that left them camped in their own half.

Hawthorn's Stephen Gilham made contact with Ted Richards with a high shot that left the Swan dazed, while Grant Birchall was also reported for an incident involving O'Keefe as the situation worsened for the visitors.

Hawk defender Trent Croad was taken to hospital after a clash with teammate Simon Taylor left him groggy.


A late behind to Hawthorn gave Sydney a 28-point lead at the first break.

After a 37-minute wait, Tim Boyle finally kicked Hawthorn's second goal early in the second term, but it offered little respite as the Swans finished the term with their highest halftime score of the year.

From there the outcome was a formality as Sydney warmed up for another crack at September.




SYDNEY 5.6 14.8 18.8 22.9 (141)

HAWTHORN 1.2 3.3 9.5 10.9 (69)

GOALS
Sydney: N Davis 4 M O'Loughlin 4 R O'Keefe 3 J Crouch 2 N Malceski 2 P Bevan B Mathews A Goodes T Richards L Ablett E Barlow J McVeigh.
Hawthorn: B Dixon 2 S Taylor 2 L Franklin T Boyle R Ladson L Hodge C Brown J Roughead.

BEST
Sydney: A Goodes R O'Keefe B Kirk C Bolton N Davis L Barry P Everitt M O'Loughlin.
Hawthorn: S Crawford R Vandenberg J Lewis S Mitchell.

Umpires: S McBurney M Stevic S McInerney

Official crowd: 27,498 at the SCG.

[RustyHawk]

Elimination Final 1

Young Hawks win their first finals match in a tight engrossing final at the Dome. One of the matches of the finals series.

Hawthorn v Adelaide.
Venue: Telstra Dome

Match Details
HAWTHORN 4.3 8.7 10.10 15.15 (105)
ADELAIDE 7.4 10.7 12.12 15.12 (102)
Goals: Hawthorn: L Franklin 7 J Roughead 3 J Lewis S Crawford C Bateman C Brown C Young. Adelaide: K McGregor 4 S Welsh 4 J Porplyzia 2 T Edwards N Gill N Van Berlo J Torney C Knights.
Best: Hawthorn: L Franklin S Crawford S Mitchell R Ladson L Hodge C Young. Adelaide: T Edwards S Thompson S Goodwin K McGregor N Bock S Welsh.
Umpires: H Kennedy B Allen R Chamberlain
Official crowd: 36,534 at Telstra Dome

At a Glance
Hero: Lance “Buddy” Franklin. Who else? The big fella potted one from 50m to give the Hawks the lead with the final kick of the game. Apologies to Luke Hodge, who battled injury to continually give Hawthorn drive through the middle, and Shane Crawford, who was outstanding all afternoon.
Goat: Scott Thompson. Unfortunately for Thompson his kick out of bounds on the full in the last minute gave Crawford a free. He delivered to Rick Ladson, who chip-passed to Franklin. And the rest is history.
Turning point: A series of turning points created by Franklin, rather than a single event. His three goals in five minutes mid-way through the second term, when Hawthorn trailed by a worrying 31 points, was critical in giving the Hawks a chance to get back into the game.

Match Report
HAWTHORN’S Lance Franklin confirmed his superstar status by booting the Hawks to a three-point win over Adelaide in the first elimination final at Telstra Dome on Saturday afternoon.
Franklin kicked his seventh goal with seven seconds left in the game to give the Hawks a 15.15 (105) to 15.12 (102) win in their first finals campaign since 2001.
The final siren sounded just after the resultant centre bounce, which sparked scenes of mass jubilation for the brown and golds after an epic final which could have gone either way.
Thirteen minutes into the final quarter Franklin had given his side the lead for the first time since the very early minutes of the first term, which capped a stirring comeback by the Hawks, who trailed by as much as 31 points early in the second quarter.
Franklin's match-winning bomb came from 50 metres out on the left forward flank, the difficult side for a left-footer, after marking a short pass from teammate Rick Ladson.
The Hawks will now play the loser of Sunday's qualifying final between Geelong and the Kangaroos in a sudden-death semi-final, while Adelaide must again lick their wounds after another painful finals exit.
Hawthorn's victory also prolongs the career of captain Richie Vandenberg, who announced this week that this season would be his last.
But it is all over for Adelaide skipper Mark Ricciuto, who led his shattered teammates off the ground in his 312th and final game, a new club record for the Crows.
Franklin was one of a handful of key Hawks making their finals debut today, but the occasion clearly didn't hamper the key forward.
After a tough start to the game, where he dropped several marks and missed a couple of shots, Franklin got his side back in the match with a burst of three goals in five minutes during the second term.
The third of those goals came after Adelaide's Jason Torney was reported for contact on Franklin.
But Torney nearly had the last laugh, as he booted a goal from outside 50 metres on the run late in the game, which put the Crows in front.
Hawk Jarryd Roughead looked to have blown his side's chance of replying when he missed a set shot seconds later, until Franklin saved the day.
Adelaide began the game better and kicked the first three goals, and led by 19 points at quarter time, when Chris Knight's kick sailed through for a goal on the siren.
The Crows extended that lead to 31 points 12 minutes into the second term, and the Hawks' chances looked remote when gun midfielder Luke Hodge was assisted off with a leg injury.
But Hodge returned soon after, and the Hawk midfielders began influencing the outcome.
Brownlow medallist Shane Crawford was magnificent, Sam Mitchell busy through the centre and Clinton Young's long kicking assisted Franklin and Roughead.
Roughead booted three goals, while Ken McGregor and Scott Welsh each kicked four each for Adelaide.
In a frantic final quarter, several moments looked like deciding the outcome.
The Hawks booted the first two goals to close the margin to two points, but Jordan Lewis missed everything when he tried snapping a goal from just outside the goalsquare.
Welsh goaled to give Adelaide some breathing space, but Young and Franklin replied.
The Hawks missed several more shots until Torney's goal, but Franklin stamped himself a finals match-winner.
Adelaide's best included midfielders Scott Thompson, Tyson Edwards, McGregor - in his first game since round 18 - and Torney.

Time On
Born for September
If any player of this generation was born to play in September, it is Lance Franklin. 'Buddy' produced a scintillating match-winning display against the Crows, kicking seven goals, including the final major with just eight seconds remaining. Franklin's final-quarter heroics, when he booted three goals, will long be remembered by Hawthorn fans.
The great Roo retires
One of the all-time greats ended his stellar career on a sad note, with Adelaide warrior Mark Ricciuto finishing the match on the bench. His body could give no more after battling serious illness and injuries in his past two seasons. The fact that Ricciuto actually returned to the field this season despite a crippling back injury was testament to the great man. Well done 'Roo', you are the pride of Australia, not just the Adelaide Crows.
Herculean Hodge
Hawk skipper-in-waiting Luke Hodge stamped his mark on the game with enormous courage. After looking gone at the three-minute mark of the second term, when he hobbled from the ground with a knee injury, Hodge returned to ignite the Hawks and inspire his side to victory.
No finals, no worries
The Hawks entered the elimination final against Adelaide with just six players who had previously played in AFL finals – Shane Crawford, Brent Guerra, Joel Smith, Trent Croad, Ben Dixon and Richie Vandenberg – but that mattered little in the overall result, as the likes of 'Buddy', Luke Hodge, Brad Sewell, Grant Birchall, Jarryd Roughead and Rick Ladson stepped up to the plate.
Worth the wait
Shane Crawford will wake up on Sunday morning pleased with his decision to keep pursuing an AFL premiership after some tumultuous times with the Hawks in the early to mid-2000s. Crawford, who made his 290th AFL appearance, had claims for best-on-ground alongside Franklin and Hodge.
A great effort indeed
Adelaide's dramatic three-point loss to Hawthorn – arguably one of the greatest matches staged at Telstra Dome – capped off a tough season. Although it's little consolation, Adelaide should be commended for its remarkable effort to actually play in this year's finals series. No team, aside from the Brisbane Lions, had more matches missed due to injuries/suspensions by listed players in 2007.

Goal-by-Goal
And the Hawks are home! Franklin’s goal has won the game for Hawthorn with the last kick of the match. It’s Buddy’s seventh, and a stunning victory for the home team, 15.15 (105) to 15.12 (102). Mark Ricciuto bows out from AFL football, but Richie Vandenberg lives to fight again next weekend. Franklin, the hobbled Hodge and Crawford were stars for Hawthorn.

29.12 Franklin. 50m out. Goal! And the Hawks hit the front by three points
25.17 The Crows are back in the lead after a goal from Torney well into time-on. Adelaide has a four-point margin.
Roughead has a chance to give the Hawks what may be a winning break, but he hits the post with a set shot from 50m. Hawthorn by two points.
A behind to Crawford puts Hawthorn in the lead again. The tension is extraordinary.

20.12 We may be headed to extra-time. Welsh goals for the Crows and we are all tied up in time-on, 96 apiece. If it's a draw, the teams play five minutes each way.

Boyle has a chance to stretch the lead, but he kicks a behind from just on the 50m after a free, and at the 19-minute mark Bateman also has a shot at goal after brilliant work from Hodge. But he, too misses.
13.41 The Hawks hit the front! It’s been a long time coming, but the Hawks have the lead for the first time since the first three minutes of the game. It’s Franklin with his sixth, and Hawthorn is five points to the good.
10.55 The Hawks need to kick the next goal, and after a piece of genius from Hodge, who handballs brilliantly over his head, Young scores a magical checkside major. Two points in it. Adelaide leads.
4.28 Franklin – again. He kicks his fifth goal and the Hawks are within two points in a game in which they have never led. Shortly afterwards Lewis has a chance to give the Hawks the ascendancy, but he misses from less than 10m. It’s a crucial error, as the Crows reply through Welsh to take an eight-point lead, 90-82. The crowd is announced as 36,534.
1.54 The Hawks snare the critical first goal of the final quarter through Crawford after a squaring ball from Hodge. The Crows seem too Franklin conscious, leaving other Hawthorn players loose on their forward line.
It’s all set up for a classic last quarter in this see-sawing affair. The Crows broke the Franklin spell in the third term, and have the advantage. The Hawks need to find more scoring options in attack, while Adelaide will try to play tempo football and control the game. Remember that the season is over for one of these teams at the end of the match, and either Richie Vandenberg or Mark Ricciuto will bow out from AFL football.
THREE-QUARTER TIME

24.52 The Crows stretch their lead to 13 points with a goal to Porplyzia – a shocking kick that somehow floats right through the middle. A behind after the siren to Thompson sets up the final term with the scoreline: Adelaide 12.12 (84) to Hawthorn 10.10 (70).
20.58 Welsh marks and goals from 15m, the Crows’ first since the 11-minute mark of the third term, and they extend their margin to eight points in what has become an arm-wrestle.
11.40 Bateman takes a screamer in the goal square from a centring ball from the ever-dangerous Franklin, and goals to make it a one-point deficit for the Hawks, who have now kicked the last five majors. It’s less of a shoot-out than the first half.
5.10 After the third quarter begins without a lot of goal-line action, defender Brown manages a rare goal, and now Hawthorn is less than a straight kick behind. This has been a terrific comeback from the Hawks.

HALF TIME
The goal-fest has dried up after the 20-minute mark of the second term, and near the end of the second quarter Adelaide starts to play possession football for the first time in the game. Franklin’s burst of three goals in five minutes has changed the course of a match that seemed to be slipping from the Hawks’ grasp. At the main break, the Crows lead by 12 points, 10.7 (67) to 8.7 (55) after leading by 31 points midway through the term.

19.47 Big Buddy is creating havoc on the Hawthorn forward line, and he kicks his fourth for the match after a free kick. The Hawks are within 14 points. And Bateman has somehow made it back onto the ground.
17.22 Franklin kicks his third for the match and brings the Hawks back within three goals.
14.13 Franklin gets one back for Hawthorn after dropping a mark but goaling from a snap with a good second effort. Hodge is back on, but looking very proppy.
11.42 Bateman, who came into the match under a cloud, appears to pull his hamstring just before McGregor kicks his fourth for the match and gives his team a five-goal lead. The Hawks are in desperate need of a goal.
7.32 Another one for Adelaide, as Welsh nails a goal from just outside 50m. They’re getting a handy break on the Hawks now. The typically low-scoring Crows are putting on a goal-fest at the Dome. It’s their ninth.
6.06 McGregor matches Roughead by kicking his third for the Crows, an excellent shot from 25m on a tight angle. It gives Adelaide a 19-point lead.
2.19 Roughead gets his third goal for the Hawks, and with a behind to Guerra, the margin is back to 12 points. But there’s some bad news for Hawthorn as Hodge limps off with what may be a left knee injury.
The second quarter is under way at Telstra Dome. Grant Birchill is complaining of blurred vision on the Hawks bench, and there is concern that he may be suffering mild concussion.
QUARTER TIME
31.22 Knights gives the Crows their seventh for the quarter right on the siren for a 19-point lead, 7.4 (46) to 4.3 (27). Adelaide kicked the first three goals of the term, and the last three, in what is a quick and thrilling contest.
29.08 Brilliant footy from Edwards, who is starring, and he pings one to give the Crows a 13-point lead.
27.58 McGregor drops a mark, but gets a free and takes a shot from 50m and nails it.
25.06 The big Buddy takes a grab and goals for the Hawks. Franklin’s major makes it a one-point game again. This is end-to-end, exciting stuff
23.41 The Crows break the Hawthorn run with a 65m effort from Van Berlo that takes a kind bounce, and take a seven-point lead.
19.54 Roughead is on fire and his second goal from 45m cuts the margin to just two points.

17.08 Roughead makes up for his earlier bad miss with a great goal from 45m on a tight angle, bringing the Hawks within a goal.

14.11 Brown gives away a 50m penalty, but Torney misses a gilt-edged opportunity to put the Crows further ahead with a poor kick for goal.
11.25 Finally, the Hawks get a goal through Lewis after great work from Mitchell.
7.38 Roughead takes a strong mark right in front of goal and misses. The Hawks badly need a steadier.
5.40 Three for Adelaide in the first six minutes of the match after Porplyzia snaps and gets a good bounce in the goal square.

4.34 Gill marks and goals to give the Crows a handy break.

3.10 McGregor kicks the first goal of the match from about 30m after receiving a 50m penalty. Vandenberg is the miscreant.

Hello and welcome to Telstra Dome for the first elimination final between Hawthorn and Adelaide. The roof is open, the sun is shining, and in about three hours’ time season 2007 will be over for one of these teams. The winner lives again to fight again against the loser of tomorrow’s Geelong-Kangaroos clash next weekend.

In addition to our Gameday Live coverage and streaming of ABC radio’s commentary, we’ll be providing this goal-by-goal coverage.There’s a late change for the Hawks, with Ben McGlynn out and Michael Osborne in. Chance Bateman, despite a hamstring injury, is playing, as is Crows skipper Mark Ricciuto, who failed to complete training on Friday. Ricciuto is playing his 312th game for Adelaide, breaking Ben Hart’s record.
The toss of the coin by Richie Vandenberg and Ricciuto was a poignant moment. For one of these skippers, an AFL career will end today. For the record, Vandenberg won his final coin-toss.

HAWTHORN
B: Brent Guerra, Stephen Gilham, Grant Birchall
HB: Campbell Brown, Trent Croad, Rick Ladson
C: Clinton Young, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis
HF: Shane Crawford, Tim Boyle, Chance Bateman
F: Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead, Ben Dixon
FOLL: Robert Campbell, Luke Hodge, Brad Sewell
I/C: Michael Osborne, Joel Smith, Simon Taylor, Richie Vandenberg
In: Osborne
Out: McGlynn

ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Scott Stevens
HB: Andrew McLeod, Nathan Bock, Jason Torney
C: Brett Burton, Simon Goodwin, Nathan van Berlo
HF: Chris Knights, Nick Gill, Brent Reilly
F: Jason Porplyzia, Mark Ricciuto, Scott Welsh
FOLL: Ben Hudson, Tyson Edwards, Scott Thompson
I/C: Kris Massie, Jonathon Griffin, Robert Shirley, Ken McGregor
EMG: Ian Perrie, Richard Douglas, Martin Mattner
In: Ken McGregor
Out: Martin Mattner

[RustyHawk]

Semi Final 1

Hawks went into this match as raging favourites. North had been smashed by the Cats the previous week. A balmy Saturday evening we ended up playing one of the most boring, lacklustre games of AFL I have ever witnessed. The panic by North Coach Dean Laidley in the last 10 minutes of the second quarter to push EVERY North player behind the ball remains to be scene to be believed. 3 Hawk players get suspended, Lewis, Hodge and Crawford.

Saturday 15th September 2007 - M.C.G.

Match Details
KANGAROOS 3.3 5.5 9.7 14.9 (93)
HAWTHORN 2.1 4.3 6.8 8.12 (60)

Goals: Kangaroos: A Edwards 4 B Harvey 4 H McIntosh S Grant D Wells A Swallow D Petrie S McMahon.Hawthorn: L Franklin 3 J Roughead J Lewis C Bateman B Guerra T Boyle.

Best: Kangaroos: B Rawlings D Harris J Gibson A Edwards H McIntosh B Harvey.Hawthorn: B Sewell J Lewis B Guerra T Croad C Bateman S Crawford.

Injuries: Nil.

Reports: S Crawford (Hawthorn) reported by field umpire M Vozzo for allegedly striking D Harris (Kangaroos) in the third quarter).
Umpires: M Vozzo B Rosebury S McLaren

Official crowd: 74,981 at the MCG.


At a Glance
Hero
Brent Harvey had a terrible game against Geelong in the qualifying final, managing just six possessions. And in the first half against the Hawks he was battered from pillar to post, struggling to make any impact. But he showed his class in the second half, and especially in the final quarter, when his three goals killed any chance of a Hawthorn comeback. He finished with four majors for the game.
Goat
Luke Hodge was superb under duress against Adelaide last weekend, willing himself to every contest despite a leg injury. But against the Kangaroos he was utterly impotent, kept under control from the first bounce by Brady Rawlings. Statistics don’t always tell the whole story, but Hodge’s eight possessions pale against Rawlings’ 27, and the Hawk made no impact on the game.

Turning pointEleven minutes into the final term and the Hawks were threatening. Jess Smith grabbed a loose ball just backward of the wing, and handballed to Hamish McIntosh, who chipped to Daniel Harris. He bombed it towards the left forward pocket, where Harvey gathered and snapped truly. It was the goal that broke Hawthorn hearts in season 2007.

Match Report
THE KANGAROOS completed a superb transformation on Saturday night, bouncing into the preliminary finals after beating Hawthorn by 33 points in the first semi-final at the MCG.
The Roos continued their season-long knack of defying the doubters by winning 14.9 (93) to 8.12 (60) less than a week after being embarrassed by Geelong by 106 points in the qualifying final, and now sit among the final four.
It was the club's first victory in a final since 2000 and put them in next Saturday's preliminary final against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
Aaron Edwards, playing in the VFL this time a year ago, covered for the absence of the injured Corey Jones by booting four goals and taking a contender for mark of the year, while several other unheralded Kangaroos were excellent.
Brady Rawlings kept Hawk danger man Luke Hodge to eight touches and got 21 disposals himself, Josh Gibson did a good job on Lance Franklin despite the Hawk's three goals, and Daniel Harris worked hard in the centre square.
Veterans Brent Harvey and Glenn Archer also played their part after poor games against Geelong, the former by booting four second-half goals after a quiet start and upsetting a host of Hawks and the other by regularly cleaning up in defence.
The win means Archer will extend his career by at least another game, but it was the end of the line for Hawthorn skipper Richie Vandenberg, who led his side off to a warm reception from the crowd of 74,981.
The Kangaroos set the early pace through two goals to Edwards and led by eight points at the first two breaks, before dousing several Hawk charges in the second half through their better ball use in a tight game and their ability to exert great pressure on their opponents.
Hawthorn twice got close during the third term, but the Kangaroos held firm and landed two big blows, albeit with the aid of umpiring decisions.
First Edwards goaled after Trent Croad was penalised for chopping his arm and then Harvey slotted a goal just before the final change after Joel Smith gave away a 50-metre penalty with a late push.
Franklin reduced the margin to 11 points inside the first 30 seconds of the final quarter when he soccered a goal, but Harvey got under the skin of the Hawks again, firstly through a free kick and then with a brilliant snap which sealed the win.
Harvey, who later booted a third for the final quarter, may to come under match review scrutiny for a clash with Michael Osborne, while Hawthorn's Jordan Lewis is likely to be cited for making high contact on Harvey.
Lewis and Brad Sewell were among Hawthorn's better players, but the Hawks lacked the spark which carried them to a three-point win over Adelaide in last week's elimination final, especially with Franklin and Jarryd Roughead kept to a combined four goals and centre Sam Mitchell also down.
Completing a dirty night for Hawthorn, Brownlow medallist Shane Crawford was reported for striking Harris after connecting with an arm to the head late in the third quarter.

time on
What’s that saying again?
Last week’s hero and villain – Lance Franklin and Glenn Archer – must have been thinking a week’s a long time in footy as they strode to their respective quarter-time huddles.
According to Champion Data’s playing rankings, Archer was the game’s second-most effective player as he bounced back from his shocker against the Cats in fine style.
‘Buddy’ Franklin, on the other hand, failed to gain a possession and gave away five free kicks in the opening term in a frustrating start for the Hawks’ matchwinner.
Franklin lifted dramatically and looked his team’s most dangerous option in attack, but Buddy’s team couldn’t get it to him enough.
Mark of the Year?
What is it with Aaron Edwards taking hangers against the Hawks?
First he took a beauty at the top of the goal square against Hawthorn in round 17 down in Tassie, and seven weeks later he produces something even better.
Edwards was on fire in the opening term and leapt high at the 12th minute mark, pulling down arguably the grab of the season. Unfortunately the resulting shot at goal faded left – perhaps the big Roo was still a little short on oxygen – as his massive leap deserved a goal.
Irate Hawks
Each time Hawthorn looked likely to threaten, the Kangas seemed to be able to fend off the challenge with a major of their own.
What made that pill particularly bitter for Hawk fans to swallow was the fact that at least five of the Roos’ goals on the night were the direct result of free kicks in front of the sticks.
While one can’t doubt Dean Laidley’s side was clearly superior on the night, Hawk fans were fuming with the whistle-blowers as a result of some decisions inside their defensive 50m zone.
Boomer’s back
Like so many of his teammates last week, Brent Harvey had a Barry Crocker.
He again started slowly and had to endure some of the closest checking seen for a while. But he booted four second-half goals – the third a superb curling snap from close to the boundary in the final term – to stand up when needed and show just why he is so highly rated and valuable to the Kangaroos.
A nice touch
Hawthorn’s loss signalled the end of their season, but also the end of skipper Richie Vandenberg’s career.
The Hawks’ cheersquad draped a ‘Farewell Vanders’ banner after the final siren to mark the occasion, while the Kangaroos formed a guard of honour to send off the departing captain in style.
Veteran forward Ben Dixon also joined Vandenberg up front as the pair left the ground.

Goal-by-goal
FINAL SCORE: Kangaroos 14.9 (93) d Hawthorn 8.12 (60)
AND THE ROOS HAVE WON!

The Kangaroos are going to earn a few more frequent flyer points, presuming that they don’t charter a jet like the Magpies did on Friday night. They’re off to AAMI Stadium for a clash with Port Adelaide – the winner to play in the Toyota AFL Grand Final. It’s a magnificent effort from the Roos, who most pundits had finishing at or near the tail end of the ladder before the season began.
And after their 106-point loss to Geelong last weekend, the Roos were hardly expected to turn it round, and turn it on, against the surging Hawks. But they did, and they are just a win away from the last Saturday in December.
28.39: Kangaroos 14.9 (93) Hawthorn 8.12 (60)
The spirit of Peter Daicos is invoked by Wells, who dribbles through a miraculous goal. Five goals to two in the last quarter for the Roos.
26.11: Kangaroos 13.9 (87) Hawthorn 8.12 (60)
Shut the gate. The third goal for the term to Harvey, who has well and truly broken the shackles. The Roos are home.
22.43: Kangaroos 12.9 (81) Hawthorn 8.12 (60)
A goal to Lewis gives the Hawks the vaguest of sniffs, with the lead cut to 21 points, but time is running out.
16.44: Kangaroos 12.8 (80) Hawthorn 7.11 (53)
Surely the Roos are home now. Grant puts one through and the margin is 27 points, the biggest lead of the night. The Hawks are deflated and look beaten.
11.19: Kangaroos 11.8 (74) Hawthorn 7.10 (52)
Harvey nails one from a snap near the boundary line, and this may be the goal that gives the Roos victory. There is a palpable sense that the Arden St boys are headed for a preliminary final. It’s going to be very difficult for the Hawks now, who need four unanswered goals.
The crowd is announced at 74,981, a great turn out for these two clubs.
3.36: Kangaroos 10.7 (67) Hawthorn 7.9 (51)
A boomer from Boomer, as yet another free kick gives Harvey his second goal and the Roos a little breathing space.
0.27: Kangaroos 9.7 (61) Hawthorn 7.8 (50)
Franklin kicks one off the ground, and the Hawks have a critical goal in the first minute of the last quarter. A very handy start for Hawthorn, who finished all over the Crows last weekend, and will be confident they can run out the game.
THREE-QUARTER TIME: Kangaroos 9.7 (61) Hawthorn 6.8 (44)
A very scrappy third term, but the Roos will be delighted to go into the final quarter with a 17-point lead. The Hawks will need to mount a charge in the last quarter like they did against Adelaide last week. Can Franklin and the Hawks perform miracles again? Or will the Kangaroos head for AAMI Stadium and a preliminary final. This will be the last quarter of AFL football for either Richie Vandenberg or Glenn Archer, while Ben Dixon, who has barely had a touch, may also retire if the Hawks lose.
27.16: Kangaroos 9.7 (61) Hawthorn 6.8 (44)
Harvey gets a 50m penalty courtesy of Joel Smith, and kicks truly from 15m. Harvey has come in for some heavy treatment from the Hawks, and has had few possessions. He struggled last week against the Cats, but this is a crucial goal close to three-quarter time.
21.24: Kangaroos 8.7 (55) Hawthorn 6.6 (42)
Edwards gets a free kick directly in front of goal and puts one through from 45m … and the Hawks fans aren’t happy, the word “charity” leaping onto their lips as well as a few other words which we can’t mention here. It’s Edwards’ fourth goal.
17.00: Kangaroos 7.7 (49) Hawthorn 6.5 (41)
Buddy bangs one from 55m. The Hawks have taken control around the ground, but a little like their opponents earlier in the game, haven’t really taken advantage of their ascendancy.
9.09: Kangaroos 7.6 (48) Hawthorn 5.4 (34)
Two in a row for the Roos, as McMahon scores a goal from the pocket from a free. The Kangaroos are well ahead in the free kick count, 19-11.
6.41: Kangaroos 6.6 (42) Hawthorn 5.4 (34)
A badly needed goal to McIntosh, shortly after Franklin missed a shot from 50m for the Hawks that would have given his team the lead for the first time in the match.
3.40 Kangaroos 5.6 (36) Hawthorn 5.3 (33)
Early in the third term, and a great smother from Campbell leads to a Guerra goal, and there are just three points in the match. The Hawks have scored the last three goals.
HALF TIME: Kangaroos 5.5 (35) Hawthorn 4.3 (27)
Just eight points in it at the main break after Guerra and Franklin post behinds for Hawthorn. The Kangaroos led by 22 points in that second term, but as soon as the Hawks got a bit of a run on, they went very defensive, with only Harvey, who is being closely tagged by Sewell, in their forward 50. The Roos may regret their inability to take advantage on their dominance in the first 50 minutes of the game. Hawthorn was well on top in field play in the last 10 minutes of that quarter.
20.40: Kangaroos 5.5 (35) Hawthorn 4.1 (25)
Talk about taking their Chances. Bateman kicks another for the Hawks, and two quick goals have them right back in the contest approaching half time. The Kangaroos have failed to translate dominance into scoreboard results.
18.39: Kangaroos 5.5 (35) Hawthorn 3.1 (19)
Finally, Franklin takes a mark, but on the wrong side for a left-footer, 45m from goal. And naturally he drives it straight through. It is just his second possession, but it shows how dangerous he will be if he starts to hold his marks.
14.15: Kangaroos 5.5 (35) Hawthorn 2.1 (13)
What a difference a week makes. Petrie snags one from a set shot near the boundary line, and the Roos have stretched their lead to 22 points. Hawthorn is really struggling to get inside 50.
Half way through the second quarter and Hawthorn is scoreless for the term. Worrying times for the Hawks, who are being beaten to the ball.
6.41: Kangaroos 4.5 (29) Hawthorn 2.1 (13)
Edwards is proving very dangerous up forward, and he toe-pokes his third goal. The Roos have had three times as many scoring shots as the Hawks.
The Kangaroos are still on top early in the second term, but they are missing chances to grab a decent lead, and may regret their inaccuracy later. Jess Smith and Boomer Harvey both kick behinds in the first few minutes of the quarter.
QUARTER TIME: Kangaroos 3.3 (21) Hawthorn 2.1 (13)
There’s a bit of scuffling right on the quarter time siren, which sounds with the Roos eight points in front, and deserving of a larger lead. Buddy’s having a Barry Crocker, dropping his marks and giving away frees, but he did his best work at the end of the match against Adelaide last week. He's given away five frees, and had ... count 'em, no possessions. There's still plenty of hope for Hawks' fans, but Roos' supporters will be delighted with the improvement shown by their team, which is redeeming itself after a dismal effort against Geelong.

25.03: Kangaroos 3.3 (21) Hawthorn 2.0 (12)
Tim Boyle takes a grab and goals from 50m. The Hawks get a badly needed six points.
Ben Dixon marks in the right forward pocket for the Hawks, but kicks poorly and it goes out on the full. It’s symptomatic of how his team is playing tonight.
19.32: Kangaroos 3.3 (21) Hawthorn 1.0 (6)
Andrew Swallow finishes off a great move from the Kangaroos with a running goal. It’s a handy lead for the boys from Arden St, and they are well on top around the ground. Gibson is well on top of Franklin, who is spilling his marking attempts. And Glenn Archer, possibly in his last game of AFL footy, is playing a blinder.
It's tight stuff, with the Kangaroos on top but failing to make their superiority count on the scoreboard. After a couple of rushed behinds, the Roos have five scoring shots to one, but a lead of just nine points.

The boy's on fire! Edwards has now taken a mark of the year contender – do they count in finals? – but he misses a kickable shot at goal.
10.42: Kangaroos 2.1 (13) Hawthorn 1.0 (6)
It’s Edwards again from 50m. He seems to have his kicking boots on tonight.
4.24: Kangaroos 1.1 (7) Hawthorn 1.0 (6)
Jarryd Roughead gets a free on an impossible angle, but runs around and snaps truly. The Hawks are on the board.
1:10: Kangaroos 1.0 (6) Hawthorn 0.0. (0)
Aaron Edwards takes a good mark and kicks truly. The Kangaroos are off to a good start after last week's lamentable effort.

Josh Gibson has gone to Lance Franklin at the first bounce - a big task for the Kangaroos defender, and something of a surprise. Most expected Michael Firrito to take on big Buddy.

WELCOME to our coverage of the cut-throat semi-final clash between Hawthorn and the Kangaroos from the MCG. The lights are on, the weather is fine, and the teams are ready to battle for the right to face Port Adelaide in a twilight preliminary final at AAMI Stadium next Saturday. And the winner of that match, of course, will be into the Toyota AFL Grand Final against either Geelong or Collingwood. There are no late changes to either team. We'll keep you up to date with all the goals and key moments of this critical game.
Here are the line-ups.
KANGAROOS
B: Daniel Pratt, Michael Firrito, Josh Gibson
HB: Jesse Smith, Shannon Watt, Ed Lower
C: Brent Harvey, Adam Simpson, Brady Rawlings
HF: David Hale, Drew Petrie, Aaron Edwards
F: Glenn Archer, Shannon Grant, Scott McMahon
R: Hamish McIntosh, Daniel Harris, Daniel Wells
I/C: Lachlan Hansen, Jess Sinclair, Andrew Swallow, Eddie Sansbury
EMG: Matt Campbell, Leigh Brown