Hawthorn stake claim for a top-two spot after thrilling win over West Coast
Hawthorn staked its claim for a top-two spot after overrunning West Coast by 14 points at a wet and wild Domain Stadium on Saturday night.
Hawthorn staked its claim for a top-two spot and made a statement to one of their chief finals rivals after overrunning West Coast by 14 points at a wet and wild Domain Stadium on Saturday night.
The rain fell sideways at times during the ferocious contest but the Hawks held sway to claim a 13.10 (88) to 11.8 (74) victory.
A strong breeze blowing towards the city end of the ground left its mark on the match, and it was the Hawks who used it best.
The news got worse for West Coast with Mark LeCras reported for an untidy second-quarter hit on James Frawley.
Frawley was substituted under the concussion rule, but returned to the field after half-time.
Eagles utility player Jeremy McGovern left the field in the last quarter with a hamstring injury in a further blow to the clubs already depleted key-position stocks.
Trailing by four points at three-quarter time, Liam Shiels put Hawthorn in front for the first time when he snapped truly five minutes into the final term, but it came under controversial circumstances.
Hawk Jarryd Roughead appeared to take the ball over the boundary line in the forward pocket, before handballing to Shiels who finished the play.
In the frenetic final term, successful snaps to Eagles duo Matt Rosa and Josh Kennedy gave the Eagles the lead, but Hawthorn hit back.
And after a quiet night, Roughead bobbed up with a classy snap across his body to seal the titanic struggle in red time.
Despite the victory Hawthorn remains third, two points behind the second-placed Eagles, but have a favourable run home with games against Geelong, Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Carlton before the finals.
Andrew Gaff was outstanding for West Coast in the midfield with 35 disposals, including 11 contested possessions. Kennedy finished with four goals.
Hawks midfielder Sam Mitchell had 36 disposals while Jordan Lewis (30 possessions) was also prominent.
BEST West Coast: Gaff, Priddis, Shuey, Kennedy, Schofield Hawthorn: Mitchell, Birchall, Hartung, Shiels, Burgoyne
INJURIES West Coast: Sinclair (knee) replaced in selected side by Hutchings, McGovern (hamstring) Hawthorn: Lake (general soreness) replaced in selection side by Suckling
SUBSTITUTES West Coast: Matt Rosa replaced Dom Sheed at three-quarter time Hawthorn: Taylor Duryea replaced Jonathon Cegler three-quarter time
Reports: Mark LeCras for rough conduct on James Frawley in the second quarter
Five talking points: Hawks v Eagles
