Wayward Hawks grind down Kangaroos for big AFL win

Shayne Hope | July 16, 2023

Luke Breust and Mitch Lewis have combined for six goals as Hawthorn overcame wayward goalkicking to register a comfortable 48-point win over struggling North Melbourne.

After posting 3.13 in the first half, the Hawks straightened up and kicked away after the main break for a 12.16 (88) to 6.4 (40) victory at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

The result was Hawthorn’s fourth win from their past eight games as they pulled further clear of the Kangaroos and last-placed West Coast at the foot of the ladder.

North Melbourne’s losing streak now stands at 15 matches.

Adding to their woes, Cameron Zurhaar (lower leg), George Wardlaw and Jackson Archer (both hamstring tightness) failed to complete the match.

Hawthorn also lost Fergus Greene to a sore knee.

James Worpel (32 disposals, seven clearances), Jai Necombe (33, seven), Conor Nash (31, four) and Karl Amon (33 touches) led the way in the Hawks’ engine room.

Breust and Lewis, who kicked three goals apiece, were their side’s only multiple goalkickers.

Captain James Sicily returned from a three-match suspension to bolster the defence but wasn’t called upon to have a huge influence as North Melbourne struggled for field position.

Bailey Scott (34 disposals) worked hard on a wing for the Kangaroos and young star Harry Sheezel racked up 20 touches in the first half.

The latter was relatively quiet after the main break, finishing with 29 disposals, while Luke Davies-Uniacke (26 touches, six clearances, one goal) impressed.

Paul Curtis kicked two of the Kangaroos’ only two goals after half-time.

Breust announced his return with a brilliant snap from the pocket in the first quarter but Hawthorn failed to take full toll from their early territorial dominance.

They managed just 3.8 to 1.1 from a lop-sided 25-4 inside-50 in the opening term.

The trend of wayward kicking continued in the second quarter as the Hawks kicked 0.5 to North’s 3.0, with their lead cut to six points by the main break.

A pair of Lewis goals sparked Hawthorn early in the third quarter as they put the result beyond doubt with five goals to one for the term.

Hawks ruckman Lloyd Meek was a late inclusion after inexperienced teammate Max Ramsden suffered concussion when he was hit in the head by a football on Saturday.