Hawks respond to Mitchell’s message, book spot in semi
Joanna Guelas |
Hawthorn have sensationally prevailed in a fourth-quarter shootout with GWS, claiming a 19-point win as they advanced to another Adelaide Oval semi-final.
The Giants had clawed back a game-high 42-point deficit in the third quarter of the elimination final to level the scores at 13.7 (85) early in the fourth at Engie Stadium on Saturday.
But after the Hawks steadied, Sam Butler kicked truly to give them a seven-point lead 17 minutes into the last term, before Mabior Chol slotted two straight goals in a 16.11 (107) to 13.10 (88) win.
Sam Mitchell’s side will meet minor premiers Adelaide in a semi, while it’s season over for GWS.
The Hawks will be out for redemption at Adelaide Oval, after suffering a semi-final loss to Port Adelaide last year.
Jai Newcombe was electric in the midfield with 31 touches and 11 clearances, while Jarman Impey starred in defence with 28 disposals.
Hawthorn’s star-studded defence lived up to their billing, keeping GWS to 16 goals from 72 inside 50s.
“The message at three-quarter time – if you ask the players, I doubt they would have a clue what I said,” Mitchell said.
“But the message was, ‘We have to win the game, we can’t try to save it’.
“I’m really proud of all the lads and how they went about it.”
A suspected ACL tear to youngster Darcy Jones added to the Giants’ woes.
Talented small forward Jones’s right knee buckled after he landed awkwardly following an attempted tackle on Massimo D’Ambrosio.
The 21-year-old, who was in tears and consoled by coach Adam Kingsley on the sidelines, was able to walk without support on his way to the rooms.
He had a goal from five touches to his name before he was replaced by Josh Kelly, on return from a calf injury.
Super substitute Kelly then inspired the third-quarter fightback, gathering 18 touches and kicking two goals.
With 28 points the difference at halftime, comeback specialists GWS slammed through six straight majors in 15 minutes to reduce the deficit to six points before Jesse Hogan squared the ledger with his third goal.
“The last quarter just played out as these games normally do, and Hawthorn, they were good enough to hang on,” Kingsley said.
“I don’t think tonight was a case of us not playing four quarters.
“I just didn’t think we maximised our opportunities.”
Hawthorn made GWS pay for their ill-discipline to build a 24-point lead in the first quarter.
Newcombe, in his 100th game, kicked the Hawks machine into gear with the opener after being gifted an extra 50 metres by Jones, who had encroached on the mark.
Karl Amon then slotted Hawthorn’s fourth straight goal after opposition forward Callum Brown gave up grass for rough conduct against James Worpel.
GWS finally hit the scoreboard when Dylan Moore mistakenly handpassed to opponent Ryan Angwin, who then set up Finn Callaghan’s major.
The home side had pulled off 12 to one inside-50 entries before Newcombe’s goal, but had only two behinds to show for it.
GWS got momentum back on their side after the first break thanks to a soccer goal from Kieren Briggs and another from Hogan, on return from a foot injury.
But Hawthorn were able to rise to the challenge, with Jack Gunston kicking two straight goals to make it three before halftime.
Flashy Hawks forward Jack Ginnivan also slammed through two goals in the third quarter, and celebrated accordingly, before GWS came roaring back with seven unanswered goals.
“He won’t like me saying it, (but) he was a bit flustered early,” Mitchell said.
“But then to turn it around, he kept a bit of momentum for us in that third quarter, and I’m really proud of what he’s producing.”
AAP
