Guerra points to lack of cohesion

HAWTHORN defender Brent Guerra says a lack of teamwork after the first quarter was one of the main factors in the Hawks' 38-point loss to the Sydney Swans on Saturday night.

The Hawks got off to a flyer, largely thanks to Mark Williams, who kicked two of his team’s opening three goals.

The Swans held the margin until quarter time, but the Hawthorn team that re-emerged from the first break played without cohesion, according to Guerra.

“We were two or three goals up at quarter time and we played so well in that first quarter,” he said.

“And in those last three quarters we [played poorly] and that showed on the scoreboard.”

Guerra, 26, who ended with 12 possessions, echoed coach Alastair Clarkson’s post-match comments that stoppages was one area that the Swans used to inflict Hawthorn’s second loss in as many weeks.

“Definitely the stoppages killed us. In that third quarter we got smashed and it’s pretty hard down back when its coming in that quickly.”

Swans ruckmen Darren Jolly and Jesse White set an AFL record for hit-outs with 73 to the Hawks 29; a stat quite possibly helped by Hawthorn ruckman Robert Campbell’s late withdrawal due to injury.

And with a number of other injuries, Hawthorn’s form has been down on their premiership year of 2008 despite encouraging signs from youngsters Jarryd Morton and Garry Moss on Saturday night.

“We didn’t have many tall blokes tonight and they dominated in the ruck and around the stoppages.

“Sydney are a great side and they’re always going to be like that – they have been for the last ten years. We had plans for what we had to do and we just didn’t do that tonight.

Guerra pointed to Swan Jesse Whites 60m bomb on the half-time siren – his first goal in the AFL – as a possible turning point for the home side as it clawed its way back to within two points at the main break.

“I suppose always a goal right on the siren sort of helps,” Guerra said. “We’ve got a young team but that’s no excuse.”

There are a lot of things we can take out of the game and we’ll go through the tape on Monday ... I’m sure Clarko will let us know where we can improve.”