HAWTHORN 8.10 (58) d ST KILDA 7.11 (53)
Hawthorn young gun Nick Watson.Credit: Getty Images
KEY POINTS
SAINTS FORWARD LINE SPUTTERS
On paper, St Kilda looked to have the big forwards capable of swaying the outcome of the game. In reality, Max King and Tim Membrey did not exert near enough influence in a low-scoring five-point loss. Despite fleeting glimpses that they would make an impact, they took seven marks and kicked three of the Saints’ seven goals between them. This against a team missing James Sicily. The game was played with a defensive mindset. It was a dour arm-wrestle, tailor-made for defenders. But these are also the occasions in which power forwards can and should stand up. Further compounding St Kilda’s scoring woes – they kicked three goals in the first term, one in the second, one in the third and two in the last – was the absence of lively small pair Jack Higgins and Dan Butler. In desperation, Ross Lyon threw Josh Battle forward at half-time. He managed to kick the first goal of the third quarter, and the first goal of the last quarter, but couldn’t add to the tally. In the last 30 seconds, King had a good jump at the ball ahead of two Hawthorn defenders in the forward pocket but could not bring the ball to ground. Had it stuck, he would have had a shot at goal to win the game.
EARLY ACCURACY PROVES THE DIFFERENCE
When opportunity came knocking, Hawthorn answered the door. An accurate patch of four straight goals during the first quarter – through Connor Macdonald, Nick Watson, Lloyd Meek and Dylan Moore – ultimately won them the game. At quarter-time they led by four points, having kicked 4.1 to the Saints 3.3 and they were not headed for the remainder of the match. In the second term, Dylan Moore scrambled through his second goal to make it 5.1, and then Jack Ginnivan took advantage of a 50m penalty to goal and make it 6.1. Ginnivan was busy and dangerous throughout the game. His goal came from an act of courage. He ran back with the flight of the ball, right arm outstretched and was crunched in the back by Liam Stocker. The Saints booted the ball away after the umpire had blown his whistle for a free kick, and Ginnivan was walked to the goal square. Good kicking is good football, and is so vital to the win-loss ledger. Consider this from other matches this round: Carlton kicked five straight in the first quarter of their one-point win over Melbourne, the Swans kicked 9.0 to half-time in their win over Fremantle, and Port Adelaide banged on 8.2 in the opening term of their one-goal victory over Geelong. Accuracy deserted the Hawks as the game unfolded, even the reliable Ginnivan missing a sitter from 30m directly in front. Hawthorn went from 6.1 to 8.10.
Saint Anthony Caminiti is dejected as Hawthorn celebrate.Credit: Getty Images
CONTESTED BEAST COMES TO THE FORE
In a game played between the arcs, Rowan Marshall stood tall. Lloyd Meek served it up to Marshall early, but the Saints ruckman became the game’s most dominant player. He amassed 23 contested possessions – a record for a St Kilda player. He had 28 disposals, and 38 hitouts. For Hawthorn, Jai Newcombe looked to return to close to his best form, racking up 31 possessions and working overtime at the contest. He seems to play better with Will Day in the team. Not that Day had a huge presence. The Saints have now lost four of their past five, while the Hawks have won three of their past four. Hawthorn have turned their Launceston home-away-from-home into a fortress since first playing there in 2001, enjoying a 73 per cent winning strike rate at the ground from 79 matches - 58 wins, 20 losses and one draw.
KEY STATS
