HAWTHORN  5.3 11.3 14.6  18.11 (119)
SYDNEY 1.4  4.5 7.7  12.10 (82)

Goals: Hawthorn: Roughead 4, Franklin 3, Gunston 3, Hale 3, Bailey, Breust, Hodge, Osborne, Burgoyne
Sydney: Kennedy 2, McGlynn 2, O'Keefe 2, Pyke, Parker, Lamb, Bolton, White, Goodes

Best: Hawthorn: Hodge, Roughead, Gibson, Birchall, Puopolo, Gunston, Mitchell
Sydney: Kennedy, Jetta, Goodes, Parker, Jack, McGlynn

The margin was not what many expected, but for Hawthorn fans it was as a sweet a victory as they get as Hawthorn defeated Sydney at the MCG on Saturday night.

It was a commanding performance from the Hawks from the outset, outpressuring, outhunting and outplaying the Swans from the opening bounce.

It was perhaps an un-Sydney-like performance from the reigning premiers who were beaten to the ball on too many occasions and were unable to limit the amount of space Hawthorn’s play makers had to work in.

That’s credit though, to the quick and precise ball movement Hawthorn was able to achieve and its willingness to spread from contests at all costs.

While both teams were even on paper, it came down to which forward line had more scoring power, and when looking at the teams on paper, it seemed the Hawks had the better in that area.

And, that proved to be the case as Sydney had no answer to the plethora of options Alastair Clarkson and his midfielders had going forward, all of whom who fired at various stages of the game.

Hawthorn’s forward line

On paper, the Hawks forward line reads like its capable of kicking 20 goals per game, such is the scoring power it holds inside its attacking 50. All too often though, it’s one big man firing with cameos from the crumbers and the odd goal or two from the midfielders.

It was a different story on Saturday night though, as Jarryd Roughead booted four, Lance Franklin (three), Jack Gunston (three) and David Hale (three). The Hawthorn talls combined for 13 of the side’s 18 goals – a dominant display in any language.

What is most dangerous about the fact that the Hawks had four talls all kicking multiple goals is that the quartet can play in a variety of role, they’re not one dimensional.

Hale and Roughead spent time in the ruck and in the midfield, while Jack Gunston used his athleticism to add to the team’s midfield rotation as he spent time on the wing and Franklin of course played as a high half forward even working as high as half back.

In fact, Roughead had 27 disposals to go along with his four goals and eight marks. It was his best game for the year.

The Sydney defence had no answer for the number of options up forward for the Hawks – whenever it had control of one forward, another would emerge and make an impact.

Franklin kicked three goals in the opening half, then was well held by Ted Richards in the second. But, it was Roughead, Hale and Gunston who then stepped up to continue the damage on the scoreboard.

Hawthorn’s forward line sent a message to the rest of the competition on Saturday night – it is still the most dangerous and the most powerful in the league because of the number of versatile options at its fingertips.

First half dominance

From the opening bounce Hawthorn appeared more “switched on” than Sydney despite the contested possessions being even at 37 apiece at quarter time.

The Swans won the clearances 9-7 but it was Hawthorn’s ability to spread and create run off half back and through the middle that was the difference between the two sides.

Hawthorn had 72 uncontested possessions in the first quarter compared to Sydney’s 47 – while Hawthorn had time and space, Sydney had none.

That was credit to Hawthorn’s ability to apply forward pressure. From the kick outs, the Hawks went man on man to limit Sydney’s ability to move the ball quickly in its “slingshot” style from half back.

Such was the time and space the Hawks had, it had 45 effective first quarter kicks to 31 and its disposal efficiency at a whopping 76.1 per cent compared to 66.3.

That translated to score board pressure as the Hawks booted 5.3 to an inaccurate 1.4 to give Hawthorn a commanding lead at the first break.

The second quarter was better from the Swans, able to find more space on the wings of the MCG, but two goals to Roughead had the Hawthorn crowd on its feet.

The Hawks piled on six goals to three to take a 20 point lead into the long break – but the gap between the two sides was much bigger than what the score board suggested.

Luke Hodge

He’s the inspirational leader and he led from the front again on Saturday night.

It was arguably Hodge’s third best on ground performance (after Round 2 against West Coast and Round 3 against Collingwood) as the Hawks skipper gathered 32 possessions, 10 inside 50s, five rebound 50s and kicked a goal to be best on ground.

Hodge was unstoppable in his role as a midfielder who spent time across half back and despite a disposal efficiency of just 59 per cent, his impact on the game was profound.

He got the Hawks rolling in the first term – with seven touches and three inside 50s in the opening 15 minutes of the game.

The Captain had put his doubters to shame in the early part of the season.

He still has it.

Hawks have the answers

Sydney was always going to mount a comeback, and that comeback came in the third quarter.

The Hawks were good enough to withstand the pressure and keep its commanding advantage on the score board intact.

The Swans peppered the goals in the third term, but Hawthorn’s defence was steadfast. It conceded only three goals for the quarter and such was its form up forward, managed to kick three themselves.

It seemed whatever the Swans tried; the Hawks had already planned a response.

Sydney ended the match with just two fewer inside 50s (53-51), underlining Hawthorn’s scoring power up forward is difficult even for the stingiest defence to cover.

More importantly though, the fact the Swans had 51 entries for 22 scoring shots (five of those goals came in the last term when  the sting was out of the game) speaks volumes for Hawthorn’s defence.

Josh Gibson was one of Hawthorn’s best with his ability to manage his defensive game and his offensive game. He had 27 disposals, but kept Swans forward Sam Reid to just 9 touches and one goal.

It was one of his best all ‘round performances.

Brian Lake too, had his best game of his three for the Club to date, limiting Mike Pyke and Jesse White’s influence up forward. He also had 18 touches and eight marks, most of which were from opposition kicks.

One special mention

This review can’t be published without acknowledging the role Liam Shiels played in the win.

Hawthorn’s number one midfield stopper, Shiels was given the job on Daniel Hannebery after half time, as the Swans midfielder was their best player in the first half with 13 disposals.

When the move was made, Shiels kept Hannebery to just six touched for the second half.

One of the Swans’ best players this season, Hannebery was ineffectual on Saturday night and the role Sheils played was crucial to his team’s win.

What the coaches said

Hawthorn’s Alastair Clarkson: “Full credit to our players. We had a really tough summer knowing we couldn’t ease ourselves into the season. It puts us in a good position at this time, although we know we have a long way to go.

"(The draw) was always going to be a challenge … we can't do anything other than take each opponent as it comes. We worked very hard over the summer to get to this position."

Sydney’s John Longmire: “We turned the ball over or we kicked it shallow.

"We took a number of marks inside 50, but they were probably wide or not deep enough. 

"When you miss those easy targets going forward and turn the ball over that puts some pressure on our defenders."