The AFL fixture may have stated this was a battle between Hawthorn and North Melbourne in Launceston on Saturday, but the reality was this contest was sold more on the fact it had former Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson facing his one-time protégé Sam Mitchell for the first time.
That the pair no longer have the strong friendship they once had after Clarkson’s tumultuous parting from a club he led to four premierships added to the spice.
Yes, the Hawks prevailed by 19 points in a breakthrough win, having led by 31 points in the third term, but it’s fair to say the real scoreline was Mitchell 1, Clarkson 0. We look forward to the rematch in round 18.
North Melbourne forward Paul Curtis battles for a mark against Hawthorn on Saturday.Credit:Getty Images
On a sunny afternoon, it was the run and carry of Will Day, Josh Ward, Jai Newcombe, Karl Amon and Dylan Moore, three goals from comeback kid Tyler Brockman and the steadying hands of skipper James Sicily and Blake Hardwick in defence who led the way. The Hawks had an unconventional forward line lacking a true marking tall, but still found a way to generate a five-goal lead.
“It was a bit of added motivation … good to get some reward for effort. Plenty to learn, still,” Sicily said.
“I just thought our defensive pressure right at the source was elite.”
The Kangaroos, unbeaten to this point, were dealt a major blow in the warm-ups when star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke withdrew because of calf tightness, joining suspended co-captain Jy Simpkin on the sidelines. Each was missed. Standout rookie Harry Sheezel continued his amazing start to his career with 25 touches. He was pushed from half-back into the midfield after halftime and had a key hand in the Roos’ rebound.
Former Hawks Liam Shiels and Daniel Howe, the latter elevated into the starting 22 when Davies-Uniacke was hurt, were steady.
Clarkson said pre-game he expected the Hawks to be better than they had been so far this season, and that was the case when they led by 13 points at quarter-time. The Kangaroos rallied early in the second, but the Hawks booted four straight, as club legend and Fox Footy commentator Dermott Brereton said during the call of the game that “Sam Mitchell is winning this battle in the box”.
Brereton later added: “Talk about master and apprentice … he [Clarkson] has to do something.”
The Hawks’ dominance was primarily through Mitchell’s decision to have his men chip and hold possession through the Kangaroos’ midfield zone, where the Roos too often were not held accountable. The Hawks had 56 more uncontested possessions to halftime, and 11 more tackles, highlighting their commitment. Their lead was extended to 31 points when James Worpel converted early in the third, but the Roos finally found momentum.
The Hawks’ run from half-back dissipated, as the Roos delivered three-straight goals to end the term, the third a 50m bomb from Nick Larkey, sparking his “cobra” celebration. As they lifted their pressure, the Roos generated more run. Substitute Darcy Tucker booted a goal with his first kick as a Kangaroo, and when Cam Zurhaar delivered a 40m snap, the Roos had closed to within three points. But Brockman’s third goal, and another to a passionate Moore, who clutched his guernsey after converting, ensured the Hawks – who finished with a whopping 132 uncontested marks – of their first win this season.
Fine line
The merits of opting to bump threatened again to be a talking point when Kangaroos defender Griffin Logue opted to steamroll Day, the young Hawk, on the wing in the third term. But Day leapt to his feet quickly, and play continued. Had he been dazed, Logue almost certainly would have found himself under scrutiny by the match review officer. It’s a fine line Logue – this time – straddled successfully.
Dead eye
Larkey needed a video review to confirm his mark on the point line in the opening minutes of the second term, and almost botched the resultant snap when he played on quickly. But the talented full-forward converted his 11th straight goal, without missing, to start the new season.
Back in business
Speaking of goals, it was a special moment for Brockman when he led wide and marked a well-weighted pass from Newcombe. Brockman, an emerging Indigenous star who has been given Cyril Rioli’s No.33 guernsey, was hurt 10 seconds into his only game – in the VFL – last season and was not seen again. He returned to the senior side on Saturday for the first time this season. So, when he marked and goaled from 40m early in the second term, teammates were quick to celebrate with him. Brockman had his second with two minutes remaining in the term, helping his side to a 25-point lead at the main break.
Start your engines
After a rugged opening fortnight, the Hawks were keen to make an early statement. And a 13-point lead by quarter-time was thorough reward for their brave football through the midfield. With Changkuoth Jiath and Hardwick finding the ball at will across half-back, the Hawks switched play regularly. Newcombe and the clever Moore were busy, and the Hawks could have had a bigger lead had they kicked accurately.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
Best
North Melbourne: Sheezel, Scott, Cunnington, Ziebell
Hawthorn: Sicily, Moore, Day, Hardwick, Ward, Amon
