Watson takes jaw-dropping mark as Hawks crush Eagles
Justin Chadwick |
Jack Gunston kicked five goals in his 300-game milestone and Nick Watson took a spectacular mark of the year contender as Hawthorn’s bid to snare third spot fell just short in a 62-point win over West Coast in Perth.
Hawthorn entered Sunday night’s match needing to win in the vicinity of 90-100 points in order to leapfrog Brisbane into third spot.
That would have meant the Hawks (15-6-2) would face the decimated Swans in Sydney in the first qualifying final instead of minor premiers Fremantle in Perth.
Things were looking good for Hawthorn when they skipped out to an 83-25 lead midway through the third quarter following Watson’s moment of magic.
Aptly nicknamed The Wizard, Watson leapt onto the shoulders of Liam Baker and pushed off powerfully with his legs to take a spectacular mid-air mark before crashing to the turf.
In the immediate aftermath, Baker and Watson smiled at each other in disbelief as they soaked up the moment, with Watson giving his opponent a hug after nailing the shot.
But the wet and slippery conditions meant Hawthorn always faced an uphill battle to push the margin towards triple figures, with the Hawks forced to eventually settle for a 16.11 (107) to 6.9 (45) win in front of 43,066 fans at Optus Stadium.
Hawthorn still finished fourth, earning a finals double chance for the first time since 2018.
Watson, who was worn like a glove by Brandon Starcevich for most of the match, finished with three goals and a goal assist, but hurt his left hand after being bumped into the fence by Bo Allan on the stroke of three-quarter time.
Hawthorn played it safe by resting Watson for the entire final term.
The Hawks may also have to monitor co-captain Jai Newcombe in the coming days after the back of his head slammed into the ground following a sling tackle by Harley Reid in the final quarter.
Reid will miss the start of next season if he is suspended over the incident, but playing in his favour is the fact Newcombe was allowed back onto the field following a concussion assessment.
Gunston’s four first-half goals broke West Coast’s spirits and was a perfect way to celebrate his milestone game.
Milan Murdock kicked three goals from 23 disposals for the Eagles, but there was little else to smile about for the hosts, who finish a disappointing campaign with a 4-19 record and an 11-game losing run.
Gunston started his milestone match in grand style, nailing a set shot in the opening minute en route to three goals for the first term.
Hawthorn’s ability to run and spread meant Gunston had an acre of space to take uncontested marks in the forward 50m.
The Hawks’ 37-8 lead at quarter-time probably would have been even bigger had two downpours not made the ball so slippery.
Gunston was gifted his fourth goal when the ball fell in his lap following a dropped mark to Bo Allan in the goalsquare.
Hawthorn flirted several times with the 15-goal margin needed to leapfrog their way into third spot, but in the end the task proved too hard in the wet.
AAP