Hawthorn have caused a massive boilover beating the Western Bulldogs 91-98 on Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.
While the Dogs looked red hot to start, the Hawks worked their way into the game in the second quarter with a three goal to one term and even took an eight-point lead into half-time.
The Dogs then began to get their game back in order, but they weren’t able to make any kind of scoreboard impact in the third term as they still trailed by eight at the final break.
Just as it looked like the Bulldogs would pull away, it was Hawthorn who really got their game in order late when the pressure was on, kicking two of the last three goals thanks to Jack Ginnivan and James Sicily.
The exciting game was end to end throughout and the teams were evenly split throughout the second half.
Sicily produced a huge performance both up forward and down back given he dislocated his shoulder in the first quarter.
He was well supported by the likes of Jarman Impey, Dylan Moore and Lloyd Meek while Marcus Bontempelli was enormous for the Dogs in defeat.
The Dogs are now 3-5 and go in search of their fourth win of the season when they face Richmond at the MCG next Saturday night while the now 2-6 Hawks host St Kilda in Launceston on Saturday afternoon.
Our player grades.
Western Bulldogs:
Marcus Bontempelli: A+
Really built into the game and sparked just about everything the Bulldogs did as they chased the game. Vintage Bontempelli performance with two goals and 26 disposals.
Bailey Dale: A
It’s amazing this guy was dropped just a few weeks ago. Racked up plenty of footy with 29 touches and used it well.
Tim English: A
A really nice game in the ruck but certainly didn’t beat his opponent Meek who was also impressive. Kicked two goals to go with his 18 touches.
Adam Treloar: B+
Quality midfield game as Bontempelli’s main running mate at stoppages.
Aaron Naughton: B+
Looked the Bulldogs’ most dangerous forward all game and kicked two goals.
Bailey Williams: B+
A couple of really big goals late.
Tom Liberatore: B
In an under in his return from concussion but copped a nasty head knock in the dying moments.
Ed Richards: B
James Harmes: B
Quite a nice performance playing primarily half back.
Liam Jones: B-
Jack Macrae: B-
Built into the game but didn’t have a massive impact as an on-ball rotation player.
Buku Khamis: B-
Laitham Vandermeer: B-
Jason Johannisen: C+
Lachie Bramble: C+
Riley Garcia: C+
Sam Darcy: C+
Harvey Gallagher: C
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan: C-
Kicked a couple of goals but missed a huge opportunity late. Didn’t go near it apart from those chances.
Taylor Duryea: C-
James O’Donnell: C-
Suffered a corked quad in the second quarter which impacted him thereafter.
Oskar Baker: N/A
Played one and a half quarters after coming on for Clarke.
Charlie Clarke: N/A
Subbed off for Oskar Baker in the third term with six touches and 0.1 in his first AFL game.
Hawthorn
Lloyd Meek: A
Continues his rise to become a genuinely elite ruckman of the competition. Probably got the better of Tim English in a very even battle.
James Sicily: A
A hugely respectable performance after dislocating his shoulder in the first quarter. Spent time both down back and up forward where he kicked a huge fourth term goal. Also rolled his ankle during the third term.
Dylan Moore: A
Continued his brilliant form from half forward. Kicked a goal but did most of his damage with his 24 disposals.
Jarman Impey: A
Great half back outing for Impey who finished with 27 disposals and 12 marks.
Jai Newcombe: B+
Started really well and kicked a goal. Was in an under all game and finished with 21 disposals.
Calsher Dear: B+
Incredibly promising debut game for the tall forward. Kicked a couple of goals and took some really nice overhead marks. Looks to have some ability.
Jack Gunston: B+
Wound back the clock with a nice forward performance. Finished with 2.4 with accuracy his main flaw.
Conor Nash: B+
Blake Hardwick: B+
Josh Weddle: B+
Another Hawk that started well, Weddle has moments of brilliance and had maximum impact often playing on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
Connor Macdonald: B+
Worked into the game and was dangerous at ground level, kicking three goals.
Jack Scrimshaw: B
James Worpel: B
Sam Frost: B-
Jack Ginnivan: C+
Did a couple of nice things but didn’t get enough of it overall. Kicked a really big goal in the last term though.
Karl Amon: C+
Massimo D’Ambrosio: C+
Will Day: C
Still below his best after coming back from his foot injury last week.
Harry Morrison: C
Finn Maginness: C
Josh Ward: C-
Cam Mackenzie: N/A
Was subbed off for Nick Watson in the third term with just eight touches to his name.
Nick Watson: N/A
Missed a couple of chances including a simple one late in the fourth term.