Hawthorn has become the latest team to secure a dominant victory over West Coast in 2023, taking down the Eagles by 116 points in Tasmania.
The Hawks took the lead in the early stages and never looked back, securing their second win of the year and jumping from the bottom of the ladder up to 16th as they scored a season-high 142 points.
Dubbed the ‘Harley Reid Cup’ in the build-up, the loss saw West Coast move into prime position to draft the talented youngster at the end of the year, dropping to 18th as they sit as they only team without multiple wins this season.
The Eagles hit the scoreboard first courtesy of Jamaine Jones, however things went downhill quickly as the Hawks answered back with a flurry, kicking seven majors for the quarter to West Coast’s two.
The Brock-star! 🎸#AFLHawksEagles | #AFLDeadly pic.twitter.com/SoPVhCBFuJ
— AFL (@AFL) May 21, 2023
Adam Simpson’s men kicked two goals in the next term before going goalless through the entire second half, unable to penetrate a lively Hawthorn defence as their 26 points marked West Coast’s lowest ever score against the Hawks.
Hawthorn treated the rest of the match like a training drill, kicking a monstrous 22 goals for the day.
Plenty of Hawks put together excellent matches, yet none more so than Mitch Lewis who led Hawthorn’s attack with a six-goal haul.
How exciting is Tyler Brockman!
— AFL (@AFL) May 21, 2023
He finds Lewis who kicks his third.#AFLHawksEagles | #AFLDeadly pic.twitter.com/WOyh4U0gjV
While it was another rough day for the Eagles, Dom Sheed stood out as a bright spot, doing his best to will his side back into the contest with 30 disposals and two goals.
Yet considering the performance of the rest of West Coast's players, Kane Cornes isn't expecting Adam Simpson to see out the season.
“They’ve kicked 10 goals from defensive half chains to West Coast’s zero and 10 goals from forward half turnovers as well,” Cornes told AFL Nation.
“Defensively it’s as horrific and as bad as you could ever see from West Coast today.
“I'd be surprised - it's a big statement – if Adam Simpson lasts this year.”
West Coast’s struggles look destined to continue, with a Jamaine Jones ankle injury in the second quarter adding to the Eagles’ impossibly long injury list.
They’ll head back home next week, welcoming Essendon to Optus Stadium as they search desperately for their second win.
Meanwhile, the Hawks will be looking to build off this strong showing, taking on St Kilda in Round 11 at Marvel Stadium.
FULL SCORE
Hawthorn: 7.1, 11.4, 14.8, 22.10 (142)
West Coast: 2.0, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2 (26)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Lewis 6, Breust 3, Koschitzke 2, Mackenzie 2, Brockman 2, Weddle 2, Butler, Moore, Bramble, Worpel
West Coast: Sheed 2, Allen, Jones
BEST
Hawthorn: Lewis, Sicily, Nash, Weddle, Mackenzie
West Coast: Sheed, Witherden, Williams, Kelly, Waterman
INJURIES
Hawthorn: N/A
West Coast: Jamaine Jones (ankle)