Hawthorn has extended its unbeaten start to the season, running traditional rivals Essendon off its feet in a 26-point win at the MCG.
After a tough first-up victory over Sydney, the Hawks’ speed, skill and efficiency overwhelmed the Bombers in their 17.9 (111) to 12.13 (85) triumph in front of 80,735 spectators on Friday night.
Jai Newcombe (25 disposals, seven clearances) and Karl Amon (28 disposals) were strong contributors in an even team display, with Nick Watson and Dylan Moore (three each) the most prolific of their 10 goal-kickers.
The only downside of the Hawks’ first win over the Bombers in four years was a concussion suffered by Jack Scrimshaw from a head clash with teammate Josh Battle.
Essendon’s Jordan Ridley was also ruled out with concussion after he was caught high by Scrimshaw in an earlier incident and Kyle Langford (hamstring) failed to see out the match.
Jack Scrimshaw left the field with concussion and a bloodied nose. (Getty Images/AFL Photos: Dylan Burns)
Jye Caldwell (36 disposals, 10 clearances) and Zach Merrett (26, four) fought hard for the Bombers, who won contested possession 149-126, clearances 50-31 and inside-50s 58-48, but were unable to capitalise.
Langford, Merrett and Xavier Duursma kicked two goals apiece.
Hawks recruit Tom Barrass said there was nothing pretty about his side’s win.
“It was an ugly win, I must admit,” Barrass told the Seven Network.
“Credit to the Bombers. They played a great game. I think they smoked us in contested balls and inside 50s.
“They are the games you have to find a way to win. We managed to do that.”
Essendon’s new cult hero Isaac Kako struck the opening blow of the night with the first goal of his career, kicked off the deck under pressure, but Hawthorn hit back hard in the first quarter.
Hawthorn’s response was a flurry of six goals in 15 minutes, including two from Watson, as his side built a commanding 6.1 to 1.4 advantage by quarter-time.
The scoreboard at that point defied a one-sided clearance tally, which was 17-5 in Essendon’s favour in the first term.
Hawthorn’s lead ballooned to 34 points when Jack Ginnivan kicked his second goal but three quick majors to the Bombers kept them in the contest.
Nick Watson was prolific on goal for the Hawks with three majors. (Getty Images/AFL Photos: Dylan Burns)
Merrett set up one for Duursma, who was taken high by Ginnivan and handed a 50-metre penalty, and kicked a brilliant goal himself from deep in the pocket.
The fightback was quickly snuffed out as Will Day and Watson converted free kicks into goals, helping restore a 35-point buffer at the main break.
Essendon came again with three of the first four goals in the third term and dominated territory, but managed just 3.6 from 17 forward entries.
The Hawks added 3.3 from seven entries, with Moore kicking a pair of settling majors as Langford hobbled off the ground.
A set-play from a kick out gave Hawthorn breathing space at the start of the final term when James Sicily kicked out in front of Jarman Impey, who found Connor Macdonald inside 50 metres.
Macdonald converted to give the Hawks a 38-point buffer and while Essendon did not lie down by kicking four of the next five goals, the result never looked under serious threat.
Look back at how the action unfolded in our blog.
Key Events
Hawks vs Bombers scoreboard
Over and out
That’s where we’ll leave you for the evening.
Well done to the Hawks, who posted a deserved 26-point win over the Bombers.
But for Dons fans, there is more than glimmer of hope your side will enjoy the taste of victory as the season progresses.
We’ll continue our live coverage of round one on Saturday, but for now goodnight!
Mitchell admits Hawks have ‘got a fair bit of work to do’
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell knows a win is a win, especially when you come off second best in some of the key statistic counts.
Mitchell concedes the Hawks need to improve, but there were enough highlights from the win over the Bombers to keep him satisfied.
We’ve got a fair bit of work to do but our best is pretty good and I think we probably saw a bit of both of those things tonight.
We lost a lot of statistics that said we shouldn’t win that game … there are a lot of areas that need attention for us, but we were able to kick 111 points in a game.
Scott: ‘We’ve got to get better’
Not surprisingly, Bombers coach Brad Scott was disappointed when he spoke at his media conference, conceding the Hawks were “more efficient” and “classier”.
We’ve got to get better in certain parts of our game but the things that are going to give you a chance in this competition … it’s a contested game, you’ve got to win contests.
We were able to win a lot of contests but we lost some crucial contests, particularly in our back half.
Scott, though, praised his team for refusing to give up.
I like the fact that we never conceded but clearly there is a gap between the two sides at the moment.
Bombers claim stat victories but lose the match
As Tom Barrass pointed out, the Bombers got the better of the Hawks in contested possessions and the inside-50s count.
In terms of contested possessions, the Bombers came out on top 149—126.
For inside-50s, the Bombers led 58—48.
But still, the Hawks found a way to win …
Hawks happy to claim ‘ugly win’
New Hawk Tom Barrass is a realist.
As he told the Seven Network, there was nothing pretty about the Hawks’ performance against the Bombers, but it was effective.
It was an ugly win, I must admit.
Credit to the Bombers. They played a great game. I think they smoked us in contested balls and inside 50s.
They are the games you have to find a way to win. We managed to do that.
Hawks share the load on goal
There were 10 Hawks who got on the goal-kickers list, with Dylan Moore and Nick Watson out in front with three each.
Mabior Chol, Jack Ginnivan and Blake Hardwick kicked doubles for the victors, while five players recorded single majors.
For the Bombers, Xavier Duursma, Kyle Langford and Zach Merrett all kicked two for the evening.
Meanwhile, Isaac Kako marked his AFL debut with the first major of the match.
FT: Hawks 17.9 (111) defeat Bombers 12.13 (85)
HAWKS WIN!!
With two matches completed, the Hawks are unbeaten following a 26-point win over the Bombers.
The Hawks built their victory on a dominant performance in the first quarter, when they kicked six unanswered goals.
The Bombers did their best to fight their way back but the Hawks kept their noses in front for the remainder of the match.
Maginness gives Hawks breathing space
Just when Bombers fans were daring to dream, Finn Maginness does his best to dash their hopes.
Maginness lands the Hawks’ 17th major and they’re back out to a 24-point lead.
Merrett slots late goal for Bombers
Fatigue is setting in for both sides, but Zach Merrett is doing his best to keep the Bombers in the contest.
Merrett’s second goal of the match leaves the Hawks ahead by 18.
Hawks lift with Moore’s third goal
Each time the Bombers seem to be seizing momentum, the Hawks find a response.
Dylan Moore picks up his third goal and the Hawks are back out to a 24-point advantage.
Duursma on target for Bombers
Some sloppy play from the Hawks inside their defensive 50 allows Xavier Duursma to kick his second major for the Bombers.
Are the Bombers on the charge?
They’re down by 18 points.
Draper bombs one in from long range
Sam Draper takes a mark on the lead inside the attacking 50 for the Bombers, before nailing a set-shot for his first goal.
The Bombers trail by 24 points with just under 10 minutes left in the match.
Hawks respond to Gresham major
It didn’t take long for the Hawks to find an answer to Jade Gresham’s goal.
Josh Weddle adds the Hawks’ 15th of the match and they go back out to a 30-point lead.
Gresham keeping Bombers in the contest
It’s not over yet for the Bombers, with Jade Gresham kicking a sensational individual goal.
It was just reward for Gresham, who has impressed for the Bombers since entering the match as the sub.
Bombers hit with a blow
Bombers staying in the fight
The Bombers aren’t raising the white flag, with Jye Caldwell cancelling out Connor Macdonald’s goal with one of his own.
The Hawks up by 31.
Hawks get the first of the fourth term
Connor Macdonald has pushed the Hawks out to a 37-point lead with his side’s 14th goal of the match.
The Hawks cleared the ball from their defensive 50, before Jarman Impey made a run down the right flank.
Impey sent a kick inside 50 to find Macdonald unmarked.
Macdonald appeared to send the kick left but it came around in time to give him his first goal.
Watson back on the field for final quarter
Good news for the Hawks as we start the third quarter.
Nick Watson has taken his place on the field after sustaining a head knock when he attempted a mark late in the third quarter.
His head hit the turf with force and he left the field, but he has been cleared to resume the match.
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