Hawthorn have pulled off a second sizeable upset in as many games, denting the Western Bulldogs’ AFL finals hopes with a nail-biting three-point win in Launceston.
Starting the round 16th on the ladder, the Hawks held their nerve on Sunday afternoon to register their seventh victory of the season, this time against the sixth-placed Bulldogs, but lost Chad Wingard to injury early on.
Denver Grainger-Barras marks for the Hawks in the narrow win over the Bulldogs.Credit: Getty Images
The result comes after Hawthorn shocked ladder leaders Collingwood last weekend.
On Sunday the Hawks were ahead by more than three goals early in the final term before the Bulldogs mounted a surge with two quick majors.
Bulldog Bailey Williams then cut the margin to just two points with less than two minutes remaining, but his team was left agonisingly short.
Luke Beveridge’s men host West Coast next round before finishing the regular season with a trip to Geelong as they try to lock in a top-eight spot.
Marcus Bontempelli is tackled by James Worpel.Credit: AFL Photos
Jai Newcombe was outstanding for the Hawks in his 50th AFL game, picking up a game-high 40 disposals, a goal and two assists.
The Hawks lost Wingard inside the first few minutes when the experienced forward collapsed with a suspected Achilles problem trying to accelerate.
Chad Wingard is helped from the field.Credit: Getty Images
It was a poorly timed blow for the off-contract 30-year-old, who has been sidelined with several injuries this year, including a nasty tongue laceration. He had to be helped from the field and was unable to put weight on his left foot.
Hawthorn shot themselves in the foot multiple times in the first half, with turnovers inside their own 50 leading to Bulldogs goals.
The Hawks conceded the opening three goals and trailed by 20 at the first beak but reduced the margin to nine at half-time on the back of long-range efforts from Newcombe and Karl Amon.
The Bulldogs suffered an injury hit of their own in the second quarter when Tom Liberatore was substituted out after being accidentally knocked in the head by a knee. Liberatore had blood running from his head and was wobbly leaving the field.
Hawthorn hit the lead for the first time early in the third quarter when Luke Bruest converted from close range.
The Bulldogs managed just three behinds in the third term with the breeze at their back.
James Worpel opened the scoring in the fourth term for Hawthorn after the Bulldogs were called for a throw in the centre of the field.
HAWTHORN 1.1 4.8 6.9 9.13 (67)
W BULLDOGS 4.3 6.5 6.8 9.10 (64)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Grainger-Barras, Worpel, Breust, Moore, Koschitzke, Lewis, Newcombe, Day, Amon.
W Bulldogs: Ugle-Hagan 2, Lobb 2, West, Williams, English, Treloar, Baker.
BEST
Hawthorn: Newcombe, Amon, Moore, Worpel.
W Bulldogs: English, Bontempelli, Lobb, Richards.
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Wingard (Achilles).
W Bulldogs: Liberatore (concussion).
CROWD 12,480 at UTAS Stadium.
