In a tweet
Fair play to West Coast, they were the better team in the important moments. But, I am proud of the fight we produced today. Much, much better effort for 4 quarters today, and just skill errors cost us in the end. #AFLHawksEagles
— AndrewPH (@AndrewPHopkins5) May 27, 2018
The Rundown
The Eagles were sitting pretty at the top of the ladder heading into their Round 10 clash with the Hawks.
Hawthorn on the other hand were battling to enter the eight, sitting just outside in ninth position with five wins and four losses.
West Coast hadn’t beaten the Hawks in Melbourne since 2006, coincidentally the last time the club won a Premiership.
It was a scrappy, low-scoring affair and at half-time scores were level.
The Eagles got the ascendency in the second half scoring five goals to the Hawks three.
Andrew Gaff was named best on ground with his 35 disposals and Nic Naitanui dominated the ruck and kicked an important goal in the final term.
The Star
Jaeger O’Meara did his best to keep the Hawks in the contest kicking three goals and collecting 20 disposals.
O’Meara kicked two of the Hawks’ three goals in the second half and finished the match with 75% goal efficiency on an afternoon where Alistair Clarkson said his side “didn’t have the polish”.
The Moment
At the 23rd minute of the first quarter Jonathon Ceglar took a mark 20 metres out, straight in front of goal.
It was Ceglar’s first game back from injury having ruptured his ACL in late 2016.
Ceglar split the middle - a perfect way to start his comeback.
The Coach
"At crucial moments, the Eagles took their chances a bit better than what we did, and when it's a game that low scoring, that can be the difference in the end." - Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson
HAWTHORN 3.1 6.3 8.6 9.6 (60)
WEST COAST 3.2 6.3 9.6 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Hawthorn: O'Meara 3, Impey 2, Hardwick, Smith, Ceglar, Puopolo
West Coast: Kennedy 3, Rioli 2, LeCras, Gaff, Masten, Cripps, Waterman, Naitanui
BEST
Hawthorn: Smith, Frawley, Stratton, Hardwick, Roughead, O'Meara
West Coast: Gaff, Sheppard, Redden, Yeo, Hurn, Rioli, Naitanui
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Ceglar replaced Cousins (concussion) in selected team
West Coast: Sheed (cut head), Sheppard (thumb,
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Nicholls, Chamberlain, Wallace
Official crowd: 28,077 at Etihad Stadium
