The odds of Hawthorn playing finals coming into tonight were probably similar to the chances of snow falling in an AFL game.
Considering the latter happened on the same night the Hawks smashed GWS by 56 points, who knows what is possible.
The Giants looked a shell of their normal selves, not managing a goal after the 22nd minute-mark of the second term, and whether the Ferrari simply couldn’t start in the cold or whether they were simply outplayed by Hawthorn for the second time in 2019, their chances of a top four finish are in tatters.
Here’s everything you need to know!
The Talking Point: Snow!
As far as we know, this is a first in AFL history.
Snow bucketed down in the first half of tonight’s game, creating wet and wild playing conditions for both teams.
A freezing night was expected in Canberra, but this was something else.
It's snowing at the game and @DaisyPearce6 loves it! 😂☃️#AFLGiantsHawks pic.twitter.com/sMM0Ydv2QN
— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 9, 2019
The Difference: Hawthorn the best snow team in AFL history
Okay, they’re one of only two teams to ever play in snow, but it remains technically correct. This was a slaughter after half-time as the Hawthorn avalanche crushed a frozen GWS side.
The Hawks simply adjusted to the unique conditions better. They played an AFL Live 2011 PlayStation 3 style of game: Win forward territory relentlessly, lay tackles, win clearances around the ground and don’t even bother trying to mark the ball unless it’s inside 50.
The game was over at three quarter time with the Hawks 39 points clear. At that stage, Hawthorn had 11 more stoppage clearances, 23 more contested possessions, and 17 more inside 50s, but only 34 marks total – five of those inside 50.
AFL Nation’s Nick Dal Santo feels the Giants “put up a white flag” in the second half and it’s hard to argue with him.
September Implications?
This win for the Hawks keeps the door ever so slightly ajar. As of right now, they sit 10th and if Adelaide loses to West Coast, they’ll be one game outside of the eight with two to play.
They face Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium next weekend and the Eagles over in Perth in Round 23. They’ll have to win both to make it which seems unlikely, but are you really going to put a premature line through the Hawks?
As for the Giants, this loss makes top four a stretch. They’ll go in favourites against the Dogs and Suns in the last fortnight, but unless Richmond falls apart – which seems unlikely – they’re finishing 5th or potentially even 6th.
Jacob Hopper joined their extensive injury list when he was a late withdrawal due to a hamstring injury and the odds are stacking further and further against GWS. Brett Deledio also sat out most of the second half with an injury.
Full Score
GWS: 2.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.5. (29)
Hawthorn: 3.1, 6.2, 10.5, 13.7. (85)
BEST
GWS: Greene, Taranto, Haynes, Williams
Hawthorn: Worpel, Sicily, Shiels, Smith, Wingard, O’Brien, Breust
Reports: Nil
