COLLINGWOOD 2.3.15 4.6.30 5.8.38 8.8.56
HAWTHORN 1.4.10 8.8.56 12.9.81 18.13.121
SCORERS - Collingwood: White (2.3), Gault (2.0), Fasolo (1.1), Blair (1.0), Broomhead (1.0), Sidebottom (1.0), Goldsack (0.1), Lumumba (0.1), Williams (0.1)
BEST - Collingwood: Sidebottom, Pendlebury, White, Ball
INJURIES - Collingwood: Dwyer (right ankle)
SUBSTITUTES - Collingwood: Brodie Grundy replaced by Paul Seedsman at half time
REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil
OFFICIAL CROWD: 48,973 at the MCG
| 1. Hawks' slow start Collingwood dominated the first term to such an extent that Hawthorn looked set to register only its second goalless quarter of the year. At the 25-minute mark, the Hawks struck for the first time when Jack Gunston converted a shot from the top of the goal square. But Alastair Clarkson's side still ended the quarter with just one goal – a rarity for the Hawks. Before Friday night, the Hawks had kicked at least two goals in the opening quarter of their past 50 games. 2. Gault's goals Collingwood forward Corey Gault joined an unwanted club when his first kick – an attempt on goal – sailed out of bounds on the full. Fortunately, the debutant made amends only moments later, when he marked on the forward flank and skillfully slotted the shot. Having been with the club for almost three seasons – and demoted to the rookie list at the end of 2013 – Gault was keen to make the most of his chances in attack. In the second term he soccered through a kick at goal from 30 metres, which tumbled across the line. Gault competed hard through the night, jumped at contests and finished with seven disposals and three marks. 3. A friendly forward reminder With little trouble, Hawthorn star Jack Gunston kicked five goals against the Magpies, to take his season tally to 51. Just as quietly, Jarryd Roughead booted four goals and finished the home and away season with 62. Ahead of September, it was the perfect tune-up for the pair, who will go a long way to shaping Hawthorn's back-to-back premiership tilt. Traditionally finals have been dominated and defined by big and strong key forwards, and Roughead and Gunston will have that responsibility this year for the Hawks. |
4. Lake's scare A shudder went through Hawthorn fans midway through the third term when Brian Lake hobbled from the field with a leg injury. Lake looked to receive a corked right thigh in the forward pocket and immediately left the field with the assistance of trainers. He was in pain on the interchange bench before being subbed out of the contest at three-quarter time. After a season ravaged by suspension and soft-tissue injuries, last year's Norm Smith medallist needs to be firing for the Hawks come the finals – particularly as hulking Geelong star Tom Hawkins awaits next week. 5. Taking spots? Having secured their home qualifying final, the Hawks took the chance to rest some of their battle-weary players and give opportunities to those looking to break into the finals-bound side. With Ben Stratton (calf), Luke Hodge (knee) and Matthew Suckling (knee) already missing, speedster Bradley Hill was a late withdrawal with a corked quad. It gave Billy Hartung (who started as the substitute), Taylor Duryea, Angus Litherland and Ryan Schoenmakers the chance to impress and hold their place. Duryea had most impact of that group, finishing with 20 disposals off half-back. Having been with the club for almost three seasons – and demoted to the rookie list at the end of 2013 – Gault was keen to make the most of his chances in attack. In the second term he soccered through a kick at goal from 30 metres, which tumbled across the line. Gault competed hard through the night, jumped at contests and finished with seven disposals and three marks. |
| THE MEDIA | |
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Hawthorn has tuned up for its premiership defence in brilliant fashion and ended Collingwood's season with a 65-point win at the MCG on Friday night. It was a match that lacked spark and pressure for long periods, but the Hawks did what they needed to before finishing in style to win 18.13 (121) to 8.8 (56). The result all but seals a qualifying final between Hawthorn and Geelong next week, assuming the Cats beat the Brisbane Lions at Skilled Stadium on Saturday night as expected. Hawthorn could still finish on top of the ladder if Richmond beats the Sydney Swans by about five goals at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, dropping the Swans to second while securing the last finals spot. Collingwood's loss keeps the Tigers, Adelaide, West Coast and Gold Coast in the hunt for the final spot in the top eight. In a scare for the Hawks, key defender Brian Lake limped from the ground in the third quarter with an apparent right hip injury, and he was substituted at the final break. The Norm Smith medallist was bumped by Jesse White late in the third quarter, but said post-match the injury was just a corked hip. Midfielder Brad Hill was also a late withdrawal 90 minutes before the match with a corked quad, but Hawthorn otherwise finished the match with a clean bill of health. As they did against Geelong last week, the Hawks made a slow start and appeared to be in trouble, but they pulled themselves together and went on a devastating run after quarter time. By the end of the third quarter, with their spread and pinpoint ball use on full display, the Hawks had kicked 10 of the last 12 goals to lead by 43 points. They raced to the finish line to notch their seventh consecutive win against the Magpies, and their biggest win since round seven. Coach Alastair Clarkson said his side had expected the Magpies to come out strong with their season on the line. "A lot of people in the footy community perhaps forgot that had Collingwood won, they could have still finished in eighth position," he said. "That didn't surprise us, the endeavour that the Collingwood side had early in the game. It was just a matter of trying to withstand that pressure. "We knew that if we could just hang in there they'd be unable to probably go with us for the full four quarters." Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston kicked five goals, while midfielder Sam Mitchell (30 possessions and 10 clearances) and Brownlow Medal hopeful Jordan Lewis (33 and 11 marks) – who could snare a crucial three votes – drove the midfield. Josh Gibson had a career-best 36 possessions for the Hawks and added 11 marks, while Jarryd Roughead showed his class with four goals. The battle to lead the Hawks' ruck division in the finals is probably alive after Jonathon Ceglar finished with 11 possessions, 15 hit-outs and one goal. Ben McEvoy will have the chance to press his claims in Box Hill's VFL final against Port Melbourne on Saturday. For Collingwood, which was already decimated by injuries to key players, it was midfielder Steele Sidebottom (36 possessions and nine clearances) captain Scott Pendlebury (28) who battled hardest. The injury-ravaged Magpies missed the finals for the first time since 2005, and finished the season with an 11-11 record after winning eight of their first 11 matches. In his final AFL game, premiership midfielder Luke Ball (21 possessions) was tireless to the final siren, and the 223-game veteran walked off the ground with a guard of honour from both teams. Debutant Corey Gault showed positive signs in kicking two goals, including a 30-metre effort off the ground in the second quarter. Coach Nathan Buckley saw positives in the performances of his young players, but acknowledged that a gap in class and experience was ultimately decisive. "Lambs to the slaughter comes to mind a little bit," he said. "We came with good intent and we executed our plans pretty well early...we just weren’t clean enough to take advantage. "As the game wore on, the Hawks' legs were telling against us and it just looked like we didn’t have anything under us. In the end, the result looked after itself." The Hawks were well off their game in the opening term, and might have been contemplating avoiding injury at all cost with so little to gain. The Magpies, meanwhile, had everything to play for with their finals flame flickering, and they threw their best at the reigning premiers for 30 minutes. But with an average of just 66 games' experience – compared to the Hawks' 118 – the tide was always going to turn. It did in the second quarter, with Mitchell and Lewis asserting themselves in the midfield, while Roughead and Gunston combined for five goals in the term. Roughead finished with four goals, leaving him five short of former Hawthorn teammate and Coleman Medal leader Lance Franklin (67). Collingwood's young team were "lambs to the slaughter" against a Hawthorn team tuning up for a run at the grand final. Coach Nathan Buckley praised his young team's endeavour in its 121-56 Friday night defeat but ultimately agreed with opposite number Alastair Clarkson – his side was too young and was always going to be overrun. "Lambs to the slaughter comes to mind a little bit. We came with good intent, we executed our plans pretty well early could have had a couple more ahead from the get go - (we) just weren't clean enough to take advantage of our dominance of field position. "And then, as the game wore on, the Hawks' legs were telling against us, and it just looked like we didn't have anything under us, and in the end the result looked after itself." Earlier, Hawthorn coach Clarkson had said he knew that despite Collingwood's strong first quarter the injury-hit side wouldn't be able to sustain the effort throughout. Clarkson, in fact, waited outside the press conference room as Buckley appeared before the media, side by side with retiring midfielder Luke Ball. Clarkson would wait until the conference was over for a chance to shake Ball's hand; Buckley spent much of the event gazing at Ball like a proud father would gaze upon his son. "It doesn't last forever," Buckley said. "Even the best blokes, who have given everything of themselves for the time they've had, it comes to an end for everyone. So the message for the young blokes is take advantage of it, make hay while the sun shines. Enjoy your field of dreams when you've got that chance." Ball, for his part, looked both emotional and embarrassed. "I was pretty keen to just keep it pretty low key and let it slide out after the game," he said. "Buck's advice was that it only happens once, and next week, a fortnight's time, you're just another ex-player. Have your moment - you've deserved it, even if you don't like it." Ball may be right. Certainly his coach is already looking to next season, as Ball looks to life after retiring from the "only job I've ever had". Of next season, Buckley said: "It doesn't feel like the end, it feels like the beginning. And it's the beginning of whatever we want to make it." |
HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson was granted his wish at the MCG. A full dress rehearsal to prepare for another finals campaign. It was generally efficient, at times sloppy and ultimately could prove costly against a severely undermanned Collingwood. It finished with a 65-points win, 18.13 (121) to 8.8 (56). While a top two spot is now certain, the availability of key defender Brian Lake is not so assured after he limped off late in the third quarter. Lake sustained a hip or groin injury from a heavy bump to his right leg after a clearing kick. Understandably, he was subbed out of the game at the three-quarter time break. The diagnosis and recovery of such a crucial cog in the backline structure will be vital. And the mishap was untimely as much as unforeseen, particularly with the Hawks playing safe with key playmakers in this last finals “trial’’ game against the spirited if defenceless Magpies. After leaving out captain Luke Hodge (knee) and Ben Stratton (calf), speedy wingman Brad Hill (thigh) was a late withdrawal, giving Billy Hartung more game-time as the substitute. Hodge, Stratton and Hill all joined Thursday’s light training session and, while any nagging ailments could be safeguarded with the strict no-risk policy, nothing could prevent Lake’s mishap against an opposition fighting to stay alive in the fight for that eighth ladder position. Lake’s limp off was the only negative on a night tailor-made for a finals fine-tune when the 65 points victory and percentage boost reminded ladder leaders Sydney of the consequences if it slips up badly against Richmond. Like most opposition defences this season, the Pies were mesmerised by the speed on the lead and strength in the air from Hawks forwards Jarryd Roughead and Jack Gunston. And Jonathon Ceglar continued to shore up his place in the line-up, sharing the ruck duties with David Hale and looking dangerous as another forward marking option. It highlighted what has been lacking for Collingwood most of the season with the unhealthy reliance on injured Travis Cloke and only Jesse White regularly troubling the Hawks backline. Hawk Josh Gibson looked in fine touch down back, so was rebounding Grant Birchall and Shaun Burgoyne, not to mention prolific midfielders Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell. Clarkson wouldn’t have cared for several of the key team indicators nor individual attitudes when he walked to the quarter-time huddle. The Hawks repeated the slow, sluggish start of the previous weekend against Geelong to let the understrength Collingwood unit control most of the opening quarter. A set shot from the reliable Gunston with just 1.20 left on the clock prevented Hawthorn’s first goalless first term since back in round two against Essendon. The Magpies worked with intensity, desperation and vigour, in stark contrast to the Hawks whose early play could only be described as safe, conservative and flat. What hurt Collingwood was the inability to do the same on the scoreboard, the five points quarter time lead a poor return from the Magpie domination and five more inside 50 entries. It was as if the embarrassing opener stung the Hawks into action and slowly their improved disposal efficiency and attack on the ball started to swing the momentum. When Paul Puopolo goalled from a mark 11 minutes into the second quarter, it was the first time Hawthorn had the lead since the opening minute of the match. Increasingly, the premier looked threatening with the rebound from half-back with turnovers and attacked down the centre corridor with high balls inside the forward 50 arc. To no-one’s surprise, tall targets Roughead and Gunston shared five goals in the second quarter as the Hawthorn slammed on four straight, three of them in time-on to take a grip on the contest by the half-time break. The second half was largely a formality and extended game-plan tinkering for the Hawks. COLLINGWOOD premiership midfielder Luke Ball is content with his decision to retire after he was encouraged by coach Nathan Buckley to "have his moment" against Hawthorn on Friday night. Ball, whose future was sealed when he met with Buckley on Wednesday, said he was initially keen to make a low-key exit from the AFL after 223 games and a premiership in 2010. However, some advice from his coach led to him announcing the decision on Thursday, and his career was duly celebrated, with the popular veteran leaving the MCG through a guard of honour from both teams. "Bucks’ advice was that it only happens once and next week, in a fortnight’s time, you're just another ex-player, so have your moment, you’ve deserved it," Ball said. "I really thank him for that, because I've absolutely been humbled over the last 24 hours. Then the Hawks boys tonight, they certainly didn’t have to do that, they have bigger fish to fry next week. "I’m absolutely content that it’s the right call. I'm sure that in the light of day it will be a bit sad, but I'm definitely ready to move on." Ball said his conversation with Buckley on Wednesday was tough, but it was made easier by the pair's mutual respect. The Magpies ultimately fell 65 points short on Friday night, but Ball said he soaked up the final moments after another tireless performance. "In the last 10 minutes, I probably thought we were going to struggle to get back into it," he joked. "That was when I think the message came out … get yourself in the middle and just chase the footy a bit. "You rarely get that these days … I certainly tried to for that last 10 minutes, but unfortunately we were playing a side that is pretty hard to get the bloody ball back off." The Magpies' rooms were emotional post-match, as Buckley and president Eddie McGuire addressed the team and acknowledged Ball's contribution to the club. Result aside, Buckley said the club was "rapt to be able to celebrate Bally’s career". "These type of blokes don’t come around all the time, and it does highlight that it doesn’t last forever," the coach said. "Even the best blokes who have given everything of themselves for the time they have, it comes to an end for everyone unfortunately. "The message for the young blokes is take advantage of it, make hay while the sun shines and enjoy your field of dreams when you’ve got that chance." Ball admitted he wasn't 100 per cent sure what he would do post-football, but would map that out in the next few weeks. "My immediate future, I'll go and watch the VFL tomorrow and maybe channel a bit of Darren Millane and a few of those boys, sitting behind the glass and having a couple of cold beers," he said. "Lambs to the slaughter comes to mind a little bit. We came with good intent, we executed our plans pretty well early could have had a couple more ahead from the get go - (we) just weren't clean enough to take advantage of our dominance of field position."
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