Hawthorn has pulled off one of the upsets of the season, downing Sydney at the SCG on Friday night.
The Hawks led from start to finish, pushing the margin out to 38 points late as the finals-bound Swans never looked like kicking a winning score.
It was a game marred by two potential MRO incidents and a hamstring injury to a young Hawk.
It was also a night to remember for Hawthorn debutant Jai Newcombe, who wasn’t even on the club’s list a fortnight prior.
He now holds the record for most tackles by an AFL player on debut, laying 14 tackles.
Here’s everything you need to know!
Jai Newcombe is the first person to have at least 12 tackles on V/@AFL debut - still one quarter to play
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) June 11, 2021
@HawthornFC #AFLSwansHawks
The Difference: Sydney lacking energy
Sydney looked off early in the game and far below what we have seen from them across the season.
Club great Gerard Healy was particularly frustrated with what the Swans were dishing up.
“I’ve got a funny feeling the boxing gloves might be out this week for the Swans,” Healy told AFL Nation during the game.
“When they pick it up they’re just giving it to the first bloke with a red jumper. They’re rattled. There’s no decision making.They look rudderless at this stage.
“If they played like this every week, they’d struggle to beat North Melbourne. They’ve been terrible.”
The Talking Point: Could O’Meara face the MRO? Sam Wicks certainly will
Hawthorn midfielder Jaeger O’Meara could face MRO scrutiny for a high bump on Sydney’s Will Hayward.
Both players were contesting the ball in the second quarter of Friday night’s game, with the Swan coming off second best following contact to his head.
Hayward came from the ground and was later substituted out of the game with a concussion.
Will Hayward was subbed out of the match after this incident in the second quarter.#AFLSwansHawks pic.twitter.com/4tZ7Db9ODr
— AFL (@AFL) June 11, 2021
Sydney youngster Sam Wicks is more certainly in trouble, however.
Wicks collected Hawthorn’s Will Day high on the boundary line with a hip and shoulder that seemed particularly unnecessary.
He got up and took his kick, but the action left both Gerard Whateley and Gerard Healy frustrated.
“What are you doing mate … he’s just cost himself a minimum of $2000,” was Healy’s immediate reaction on AFL Nation.
“That action should be a mandatory suspension,” Whateley added.
Will Day received a free kick for this incident in the third quarter. #AFLSwansHawks pic.twitter.com/kFDBHZtu5Y
— AFL (@AFL) June 11, 2021
FULL SCORE
Sydney: 3.2, 5.3, 6.4, 7.9. (51)
Hawthorn: 4.2, 9.3, 10.4, 14.5. (89)
GOALS
Sydney: Amartey 2, Wicks, Florent, Franklin, Hayward, Heeney
Hawthorn: Phillips 2, Moore 2, Koschitzke 2, Breust 2, Ceglar, McEvoy, Mitchell, Moore, Morrison, Shiels, Wingard
BEST
Sydney: Mills, Parker, Kennedy, Lloyd, Rowbottom
Hawthorn: Jiath, Ceglar, Mitchell, Wingard, Frost, Shiels, O’Meara
INJURIES
Sydney: Will Hayward (concussion)
Hawthorn: Harry Morrison (hamstring)
Stay up to date with all the latest news from SEN. Sign up HERE.