Hawthorn finds a new hero

FROM whipping boy in a poor Melbourne side to saviour in a powerful Hawthorn one.

It is as unlikely a storyline as you are likely to see, but that is the path being trodden by Jack Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick’s first game for the triple premier yesterday kept it on course for its fourth flag, with the former Demon’s clutch goal from the top shelf of footy drama.

With the Hawks down by a goal against Collingwood and their topfour prospects hanging by a thread with two minutes left, Fitzpatrick broke with pace from the middle of the MCG looking more like Lance Franklin than a 23-game battler.

But his long bomb from inside the centre square sailed through for the goal that levelled the scores before Paul Puopolo’s behind with 46 seconds left secured a one-point win.

Fitzpatrick’s 60m bomb may go down as the most important contribution in Hawthorn’s quest for a fourth premiership.

One of the games of the season ended with the Hawks snaring that precious double-chance and a mouth-watering date with fierce rival Geelong in a qualifying final.

“I’m absolutely stoked, mate,” Fitzpatrick said after a final siren that only just sounded louder than the Hawks’ sigh of relief.

“It’s all about playing your role. When one soldier goes out another goes in and you’ve got to play your role. Hopefully I did that today.”

But Hawthorn will not only again carry the double-chance in into September. It will take a truckload of questions in with it, too.

The champ may appear to be on the ropes, but it is still going to take two mighty blows to knock this heavyweight to the canvas.

This high-octane, rugged finalround triumph over Collingwood was further evidence. The Hawks were sloppy in the first half, vulnerable to key position rivals, their outside men desperately quiet, more contested ball issues and Alastair Clarkson threatening to put his fist back through the plaster.

Find a way, they did. But as far as September dress rehearsals go, it was an unconvincing one.

Indeed, Hawthorn never shook Collingwood — its every body blow absorbed and then answered by a side playing for pride.

With Ben McEvoy rested, its dress rehearsal cast featured two new members in big men Marc Pittonet, Fitzpatrick and Ryan Schoenmakers, who hadn’t featured on the big stage since Round 3.

For all the excitement over Fitzpatrick’s stunning late goal, the fact is that trio could not take one contested mark.

In what remains an issue for the premier, the Pies won that stat 12-5. It is something better sides will look to expose in finals football where the bail-out kick is a greater necessity.