Hawthorn v Sydney Round 15

[amsport]

Hawthorn continued on their winning ways by accounting for the fourth-placed Sydney Swans by 31 points in front of 49,529 at the MCG. The Hawks led at every change and were never really threatened in their 15.16 (106) to 10.15 (75) victory.

The Hawthorn forward line was too much for the Sydney outfit with Lance Franklin and Mark Williams booting four goals each with Jarryd Roughead continuing his strong season with three goals. Franklin was again the story of the day with fourteen shots at goal in registering four goals, seven behinds, two out on the full and one shank that didn’t make the distance from inside 50.

The Hawks key forwards were supported by a feisty performance from Michael Osborne across half forward and the electric Cyril Rioli whose constant pressure and roving ability perfectly complements the strong marking abilities of Franklin and Roughead.

The Swans, without Barry Hall after a much publicised incident last week, were served well by dogged midfielder Brett Kirk and Adam Goodes upon his return from suspension. The Hawks midfield struggled to have an impact early as Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Brad Sewell struggled against the Swans pressure. No Hawthorn midfielder managed to gather more than 20 possessions for the match while Goodes and Kirk gathered 56 disposals between them.

In the second quarter Hawthorn asserted their control on the match opening up a 33 point lead on the main break with Franklin and Williams leading the way. Approaching half-time Hodge was knocked unconscious by Swans midfielder Amon Buchanan in an incident likely to come under scrutiny with the match review panel as Buchanon’s shoulder made contact with the Hawthorn midfielder’s head.

The second half contained a typical Sydney fightback who reduced the margin to 16 points at three quarter time as Franklin’s wayward kicking continued. However Sydney did not have the goal kicking options to match the Hawks with Michael O’Loughlin, Ryan O’Keefe and Buchanon the only multiple goal scorers with two each.

Hawthorn finished off the game stronger than the Swans and with late goals in the final term they were able to stretch the margin to 31 points at the final siren and register their 13th win for the season. The loss increases pressure on Sydney who are now only two points clear of 5th placed Collingwood and yet to determine when Hall will be reintroduced to the line-up.