1. Lewis' milestone game turned into a party
The Hawks' acting captain brought his own ball to his 250th game, notching 23 disposals to half-time, 36 by three-quarter time and eventually finishing with 42. With close friend Jarryd Roughead making the trip to support his mate, Lewis was involved in plenty early, giving away two free kicks and a 50m penalty, but – a brief skirmish with Nick Robertson aside – steadied to be one of the most prominent players on the ground. He also kicked a crucial goal early in the fourth quarter when the Lions were threatening to take the lead.
2. Spangher's very short return
The 2014 premiership cult hero's first game since round 17 last year lasted about seven minutes before he came off with a hamstring injury. Matt Spangher had been pursuing the ball and grappling with Stefan Martin along the boundary line, in a battle of questionable haircuts, before pulling up short and clutching his leg just above his knee. With Spangher's history of injury, the Hawthorn medical team pulled him from the game.
3. Bell turns it on
Tom Bell was a surprise second-quarter hero for his side, kicking three goals in the space of five minutes as the Lions briefly took the lead. The Hawks appeared to have no match for the big-bodied midfielder, with Bell roaming the forward 50 seemingly at will. He kicked a fourth in the third quarter, finishing with his equal-career high total. Bell also had 16 disposals to be one of his side's best players.
4. Rioli shines in Indigenous Round
Cyril Rioli was a steady presence in the Hawks' forward line, finishing with five goals. He was there when it mattered for the Hawks, kicking two in the fourth quarter to break the game open, and was always threatening when the ball hit the ground. His run-down tackle on a slow-moving Allen Christensen in the middle of the ground was vintage Rioli. Brad Hill also kicked two goals, and celebrated his second with an indigenous dance.
5. Is the West-Martin partnership working?
Trent West has now played the past two matches working in partnership with Stefan Martin. Martin was noticeably quiet against the Hawks, finishing with just seven touches, while West had eight. In comparison, the Hawthorn Ceglar-McEvoy combination had a total of 29 disposals and three goals. Martin seemed frustrated at times playing in the forward 50, and with West more of a tap ruckman, rather than being dominant around the ground, it remains to be seen whether the duo is an effective partnership. With Carlton coming up next week, it will be interesting to see if Justin Leppitsch pursues with playing the two together.
