After Hawthorn’s 65-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night, hawthornfc.com.au takes a look at the five main points to take out of the game.
1. Slow starting Hawks
After starting slowly against the Cats in Round 22, the Hawks again were sluggish out of the blocks on Friday night as the Pies threatened to pull off an upset.
Luckily, Collingwood were unable to make the most of their ascendency, something Geelong took full advantage of two weeks ago.
Statistically, starting strongly has been a challenge for Hawthorn this year, having won 13 of 23 first terms for the year. That will be an area coach Alastair Clarkson will address heading into Friday night’s Qualifying Final against the Cats, knowing full well giving away a start in finals can be catastrophic.
For the record, Hawthorn’s third quarters have been their best, winning 16 of 23, while they’ve also done a lot of damage to their opposition in the second (15 of 23) and final (14 of 24) terms.
2. Duryea presses his claim
With some senior Hawks out injured, the opportunity to cement a place in the Qualifying Final team presented for young defender Taylor Duryea on Friday night.
Duryea did his chances no harm, impressing in a shut down role on the dangerous Alex Fasolo, restricting him to just 12 disposals and a goal as one of Collingwood’s major scoring options.
But it was in his offensive play that impressed most, hurting the Pies with his penetrating kick.
Another Hawk with a lethal boot, Duryea set up two goals directly from his accurate and penetrating kick, including a brilliant spearing ball to a leading Roughead from the defensive side of the centre.
He picked up 20 disposals at an incredible 95 per cent efficiency - his spearing passes an offensive weapon that set up two goals for his team.
Taylor Duryea in action.
3. Simpkin makes four quarters worth it
He’s been the sub more often than not since returning to the Hawthorn side in Round 17 but Jonathan Simpkin dodged the green vest on Friday night and showed Alastair Clarkson he can be a valuable asset in the midfield.
A ball magnet, Simpkin picked up 27 disposals – his second biggest haul of the season – and added another dimension to his side’s midfield depth.
A hard runner, the premiership player pushes hard forward and can make an impact, an invaluable asset in finals. But he values the defensive side just as much by laying five tackles, the second most of any Hawthorn player on the night.
Simpkin has made an impact in almost every senior game he’s played this year, and players who can do that, even in a short space of time are important in finals.
Jonathan Simpkin has been in good form for the Hawks.
4. Forwards three of a kind
Remarkably, the Hawks had three players finish the home and away rounds with 50 goals or more, easily the most potent forward line in the competition.
Jarryd Roughead topped the Hawks’ goal kicking list with 62 for the year, while the accurate Luke Breust finished with 53 and Jack Gunston with 51.
The three-pronged attack could be Hawthorn’s trump card during finals, unreliant on one player to kick its goals.
Alastair Clarkson says it’s an undisputed positive for his team.
"When [Franklin] was here last year we wanted to have potency across all our forwards, not just one. We've worked on it as a footy club and three of our guys have kicked over 50 goals, so that's good that we've got dangerous targets up there," he said.
Jack Gunston booted five goals on Friday night.
5. Finals momentum
Every team wants to take momentum into the finals and the Hawks have achieved that goal heading into Friday night’s clash against the Cats.
The Hawks have won six of their last seven games - including victories over fellow top four finishers the Swans and Cats – and 11 of their last 14.
Hawthorn will take confidence into the game too, having booted 10 unanswered goals against Geelong just two weeks ago.
