Desperate Hawks stay in hunt for finals
HAWTHORN ended Sydney’s AFL winning streak, downing the Swans last night by a goal in a nailbiting MCG contest.
The Hawks trailed midway through the fourth quarter, before Liam Shiels claimed their first major for the half when he soccered home a loose ball in the goal square.
Sydney appealed for a touched behind, and the decision went to a score review, but the vision was inconclusive and the Hawks went on to claim a 10.12 (72) to 9.12 (66) victory.
The hard-fought win keeps 12th-placed Hawthorn’s slim finals hopes alive, while bring- ing Sydney’s seven-game winning streak to an end.
Hawthorn led at every break of last night’s clash but was pushed to the brink in a tense final term.
Goals to Jarrad McVeigh and Tom Papley handed the Swans the lead in the early going, before Hawks mid- fielder Shiels snatched back the momentum with his scrubbing goal.
Minutes later, skipper Jarryd Roughead took a strong mark and kicked truly to extend the Hawks’ lead.
Ruckman Ben McEvoy was outstanding for the Hawks, finishing with 23 hit-outs, eight marks and 16 disposals. Prime mover Tom Mitchell was well held in the early going but built his way into the game to finish with 26 touches.
The Hawks were a man down in the second half, with young defender Blake Hardwick suffering a concussion.
Luke Parker and Isaac Heeney impressed in the midfield for Sydney, while Papley booted three goals, but Hawthorn’s excellent pressure around the ball meant the Swans had few clean possessions.
Superstar forward Lance Franklin could find himself in some trouble with the match review panel after tangling with former teammate Luke Hodge.
Franklin made his intentions clear in the opening minutes, striking Hodge with an open palm to the face as they contested a stoppage.
Minutes later, Franklin gave away a free kick when he cleaned up Hodge with a swinging forearm to the back of the head.
LADDER — PAGE 64