Hawks’ last stronghold obliterated by Saints
THE fortress has fallen, the mighty barricades have been swamped.
In light of what has already happened to a once-dominant Hawthorn during this obvious period of dynastic change, yesterday’s embarrassing 75-point loss to St Kilda should not have come as a complete shock.
Yet when it extends to the Hawks’ last bastion of invincibility – their Launceston home away from home – it only emphasises the true extent of the club’s free-fall in 2017.
Where the fall will end by season’s end, no one can yet be sure, but with a 1-5 yield from the first six weeks, and three thrashings by more than 12 goals, the club’s golden era is surely ... officially ... done and dusted
Five years to the day since Alastair Clarkson’s team last lost a game in Tasmania, the Hawks’ 19-game win streak at the venue came to a dramatic end at the hands of a determined St Kilda outfit with the scent of blood.
As strange as it sounds, the final margin should have been greater, if not for some waste from the Saints that kept their opponents in the contest for longer than they deserved.
If you have any doubts, just take a look at Josh Bruce’s “Percy Jones” moment in the goalsquare midway through the last term as an example.
But as good as the Saints were, this match was always going to be more about the Hawks as their alarming slide continued.
There were enough familiar Hawthorn faces manning the barricades, but there was simply not enough resistance to stop the Saints from swamping across the lines of engagement.
The reinforcements Clarkson brought in to replace some of his former stars now retired or elsewhere are simply not doing the job at the moment.
In fairness to Hawthorn, they have not been getting enough support from the club’s established players, who are by and large down on form and seemingly even lower on confidence.
St Kilda’s midfield was out- standing. Jack Steven (36 disposals) and Seb Ross were dominant, while the likes of Leigh Montagna, Seb Ross, Jack Steele and Jack Newnes all contributed well.
The Hawks’ backline gave up too many easy goals and was a shadow of its once dominant self that used to be a springboard in attack.
Koby Stevens was excellent in his first game for his new team, while the Saints had a field day in attack.
The Saints defenders were far too good for their opposition with Dylan Roberton, Jake Carlisle and Nathan Brown doing a great job, while Hawthorn’s only multiple goalkicker was ruckman Ben McEvoy. HAWTHORN V ST KILDA BEST 2.1 3.4 4.5 7.7 3.5 6.8 14.13 19.16 GOALS UMPIRES CROWD