HAWTHORN 4.6 8.12 12.19 19.21 (135) 

BRISBANE LIONS 6.1 7.2 8.2 11.4 (70)

Hawthorn have overcome a dogged Brisbane Lions outfit on a wet and soggy MCG to record their third big win in a row.

The Hawks kicked 19.21.135 to Brisbane’s 11.4.70, although it was never as easy as the scoreboard suggests.

Brisbane turned up ready to play and showed great spirit in a first half that saw the lead change eight times, as they earned themselves a seven point quarter time lead. Jed Adcock was working hard in defense, and Tom Rockliff and Jack Redden were amongst a midfield group whose long and direct play ensured the forwards were converting a higher number of their inside 50’s than the inaccurate Hawks.

It was however the last quarter that Brisbane would win for the afternoon, as the pressure Hawthorn was applying took its toll on the younger Lions outfit. As the game rolled on Hawthorn amassed a dominant 97-70 tackles which in part resulted in 71-41 inside 50s, as the opportunities started to present themselves to Lance Franklin who finished with 17 possessions and five goals.

Sam Mitchell’s inside work was superb in conditions made for the former captain, and Shaun Burgoyne was released into the midfield and played his best match for the brown and gold for the year.

After the game Alistair Clarkson said he was pleased for his players to have found form in recent weeks, but was cautious not to get too carried away.

“If we’re going to be a great side at the end of the year then we need to make sure that we do it against some of the more seasoned campaigners”, he said.

“With no disrespect to the Kangaroos, Brisbane or Port Adelaide, there wasn’t a scribe in the land that had them as seriously challenging for the flag. So we’ve done really well the last three weeks, we’ve been pleased with our intent, but it’s yet to be proven that we can do it against the very good sides.”

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Lions as Jonathon Brown took the points over Ryan Shoenmakers with seven marks and three goals on a day made for key defenders, and Dayne Zorko showed their was plenty to work with gathering 24 disposals and kicking three of his own on a forward flank.

The Lions will return to Melbourne next week when they take on the Western Bulldogs in what shapes to be a big game for both sides, whilst Hawthorn will enjoy their mid-season bye before they take on the Blues in a fortnight.

Votes:

3 – Shaun Burgoyne

2 – Dayne Zorko

1 – Lance Franklin

GOALS

Hawthorn: Franklin 5, Breust 2, Burgoyne 2, Puopolo 2, Gunston 2, Roughead 2, Hill, Mitchell, Rioli, Savage
Brisbane Lions: Brown 3, Zorko 3, Bewick, Cornelius, Polkinghorne, Raines, Rich

BEST
Hawthorn: Burgoyne, Suckling, Puopolo, Franklin, Mitchell, Roughead, Rioli
Brisbane Lions: Zorko, Rockliff, Hudson, Raines, Brown

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Guerra (hip)
Brisbane Lions: TBC

SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Bradley Hill replaced Brent Guerra in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Rohan Bewick replaced Jared Polec in the third quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Schmitt, Armstrong, Pannell

Official crowd: 35,492 at the MCG