Hawthorn have pulled off a stunning upset defeating Brisbane 117–112 in Launceston on Sunday.
In a battle of 13th versus 2nd at the opening bounce, it was the favourites in Brisbane who started better but a tough Hawthorn side pegged them back to go into the first break level.
In the second, Hawthorn looked the better side, but again the topsy-turvy nature of the game meant there was just one point on the scoreboard between the two sides in the main break.
As expected, Brisbane made their push in the third, kicking three straight to pull away until the Hawks found something late in that term to again close the gap.
With the game well and truly in the balance in the last, it was a sharpshooting Hawks side who began to wrestle the momentum, as they kicked the last goals of the match to run out five-point victors.
One of the talking points of the clash was the amount of free kicks that were paid, with the 63 overall being the most handed out in a game this decade as the Hawks claimed that count 36-27.
Despite that talking point, AFL Nation’s Sam Hargreaves described the win as the best so far for first-year coach Sam Mitchell.
“Under Sam Mitchell, that’s Hawthorn’s best win yet,” Hargreaves said.
“There were four lead changes in the final term, but Hawthorn held them out.
“What an incredible game that was.”
While the umpiring played a part, Hawthorn’s accuracy in front of goal may have ultimately proved the difference, with Sam Mitchell’s side kicking 13 goals from 15 set-shot attempts.
Apart from that, Brisbane would’ve been disappointed not to earn a result after winning the hitouts (70-28), inside 50 (61-50), marks inside 50 (13-10), marks (84-61) and disposal (350-312) counts.
After being criticised in recent weeks for their lack of midfield production, Tom Mitchell (one goal, 36 disposals) and Jai Newcombe (one goal, 27 disposals) made sure that the Hawks were able to get the better of the Lions’ star-studded on-ball unit throughout.
For Brisbane, Jarryd Lyons can hold his head high after an imposing 32-disposal performance, while Daniel Rich was dangerous all day off half-back with a goal and 33 touches of his own.
On the injury front, the Lions could be without Hugh McCluggage for the next few weeks after he was subbed out with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, while Will Day was subbed out for Hawthorn due to a lower leg issue.
Hawthorn will look to ignite their September hopes and go 5-6 next week when they face Gold Coast at TIO Stadium in Darwin on Saturday night, while Brisbane will hope to recapture that winning feeling when they host GWS at the Gabba earlier that day.
FULL SCORE
Hawthorn: 5.2, 10.3, 13.5, 18.9. (117)
Brisbane: 6.2, 9.8, 13.9, 17.10 (112)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Lewis 4, Wingard 3, Butler 2, Moore 2, Morrison, Breust, Frost, Lynch, Mitchell, Newcombe, Shiels
Brisbane: Cameron 3, Prior 3, McCarthy. 2, Neale, Zorko, Berry, Fort, Fullarton, McInerney, Payne, Rayner, Rich
BEST
Hawthorn: Jai Newcombe, Tom Mitchell, James Sicily, Mitch Lewis, Dylan Moore, Chad Wingard
Brisbane: Daniel Rich, Jarryd Lyons, Lachie Neale, Jaxon Prior, Cam Rayner
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Will Day (lower leg)
Brisbane: Hugh McCluggage (hamstring)