Hawks’ huge win to come at a cost

HAWTHORN have paid a high price for their outstanding 67point AFL win over Melbourne at the MCG, losing Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo to injury.

Rioli (knee) and Puopolo (hamstring) could be out of action for several weeks after the Hawks smashed the Demons 18.7 (115) to 6.12 (48) in wet conditions yesterday.

The two small forwards are crucial to Hawthorn’s set-up in attack. After dominating early, Melbourne could only kick one goal from 29 minutes in the first quarter.

Hawthorn won the tackle count by a whopping 111 to 75 in the greasy conditions and Melbourne’s defence again leaked like a sieve.

It was a dreadful performance that fuels queries about Melbourne as they aim to return to the finals for the first time since 2006.

That was despite Demons co-captain Nathan Jones doing a great job on prolific Hawks midfielder Tom Mitchell.

Hawthorn’s reigning best and fairest winner collected at least 40 possessions in the first three rounds but Jones restricted him to 24. It didn’t matter, because the Hawks dominated after quarter-time.