We’re underway in the second term
The big men fly: Emerging Giants star Aaron Cadman and Hawks tall Mabior Chol.Credit: Getty Images
Hawks in control
The Hawks have opened up a 15-point break by the first change. Karl Amon (nine touches) and Jai Newcombe (six) have been busy. Lachie Ash and Lachie Whitfield each have a dozen for the Giants. The Hawks are dominating clearances 13-5.
No room: Jack Ginnivan is tackled by his opponent on Sunday.Credit: Getty Images
Hawks have their fourth
The Hawks have had nine straight inside 50s, the Giants having had the first eight of the match. Clearly, once the ball is locked inside either side’s forward half, it’s hard to find space to rebound.
There are worrying signs for the Giants, the Hawks’ hard running leading to a super Josh Weddle goal from just inside 50 and along the boundary. The Hawks are dominating clearances.
Hawks take control
The Giants have sent tagger Toby Bedford to Will Day, and the young Hawks star has yet to have a touch before having his first break on the bench. Despite this, the Hawks are dominating through the midfield, and have a nine-point lead with just under five minutes remaining in the first term.
On the run: Jarman Impey sends the Hawks into attack against the Giants at a sold-out Manuka Oval.Credit: Getty Images
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Three in a row for Hawks
Now it’s Mabior Chol’s turn to get in on the action, the athletic forward slotting through a set shot from a tight angle.
Hawks hit back
Despite their early dominance, the Giants managed only one goal, and were made to pay when the Hawks finally cleared the ball. This led to Jack Gunston marking on the lead, and converting from 40m. Gunston hasn’t played since round 17, but haas returned to play as a defensive forward on Giants’ key defender Sam Taylor.
The Hawks also made the most of their second inside 50, this time Dylan Moore, celebrating his 25th birthday, converting from a set shot.
We are underway – and it’s Hogan who is the early hero
The Hawks may have had numbers back, but it didn’t stop Giants gun forward Jesse Hogan from marking on the lead ahead of Jack Scrimshaw and converting the set shot. Hogan had 17 goals in the past four weeks heading into this clash, and 54 for the season. The Hawks need to tighten up.
The subs are in
The Hawks have again plumped for premiership veteran Luke Breust as their sub, while the Giants have gone for athletic defender Joe Fonti.
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Hello and welcome to a big day of football
Hello, and welcome today’s coverage of an exciting three games to cap round 21.
First up, we have what is arguably the game of the round, with the surging Hawks travelling to Canberra to face Greater Western Sydney. The Hawks are one of the form teams of the competition, having won eight of their past nine games, and have eyes on claiming an unexpected finals berth.
Purring along: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.Credit: Getty Images
Essendon, after a week of introspection following a horrible loss to St Kilda, can still make finals – provided they snap out of the funk they have largely been in since the mid-season bye. To do that, they must topple Fremantle at the MCG. The Dockers have become one of the best offensive teams in the competition, and are eying a top-four finish.
It’s then over to Marvel Stadium, where the Saints, having overhauled their game plan in recent weeks, host the juggernaut that is the Brisbane Lions. The Saints have won three of their past four games, but the Lions come to town having won eight straight. A season that was on the rails now has the momentum required for a deep finals run.
So, it shapes as an intriguing day. And if it’s anything like what we witnessed at the MCG and GMHBA Stadium last night, we are in for a treat.
