FootyGoss Round News
Hawthorn versus Melbourne
Sunday March 23, 12.40 PM
| AFL | 1/4 | 1/2 | 3/4 | Full |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawthorn | 5.5 | 7.10 | 15.12 | 23.16 (154) |
| Melbourne | 1.1 | 1.5 | 2.10 | 6.14 (50) |
Match Summary
Hawthorn has carried over their 2007 form with a 104 point thrashing of Melbourne at the MCG this afternoon.
The Hawks shot out of the blocks early, sparked by some Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin brilliance, and never looked back to win all quarters and claim the emphatic victory.
For Melbourne the loss is devastating, after a massive front office change over the preseason. They looked like very much the same outfit as last year that lost the opening ten rounds.
Hawthorn 23.16 (154); Melbourne 6.14 (50)
Best on ground honours were awarded to Franklin, who has established himself as one of the elite players in the competition, gathering 16 possessions, taking nine marks and kicking six goals.
New Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell was also dominant in the midfield, leading by example and amassing 34 touches, four marks and four rebound fifties.
For Melbourne, their best was Brock McLean with 28 disposals, five marks and three tackles.
Hawthorn had an early setback as key defender Trent Croad went down with a serious injury from a tackle on Melbourne skipper David Neitz. His prognosis was a crack in his troublesome arm and is expected to miss six to seven weeks.
Hawthorn began their onslaught with quick goals to forward Tim Boyle, ruck Simon Taylor and Franklin.
Melbourne managed to get their first score through a Michael Newton behind, before Franklin’s second major.
Forward Newton finally broke the Demons drought with his first goal at the twenty third minute mark of the term.
The Hawks finally closed out the quarter with a goal to Michael Osborne from a loose ball get, to lead by 28 points at the first change.
Hawthorn started the second term with the first goal, as Jarryd Roughead kicked his first goal for the season.
Melbourne tried to respond and continued to push forward, with club stalwarts Neitz and Robertson squandering opportunities by failing to convert goals.
Hawthorn made the Demons pay, as Franklin slotted his third major from outside fifty to put the Hawks up by 41 points at the half.
The Hawks charged out of blocks in the third term, as Stuart Dew kicked his first goal in the gold and brown, Franklin followed with his fourth and Boyle kicked his second to put Hawthorn in front 63 points.
Things went from bad to worse for Melbourne, as Cameron Stokes kicked his first goal in his debut and Dew slotted his second and Franklin kicked his fifth major.
Melbourne finally broke their goalless drought with a running goal from defender Brad Green to bring the deficit back to 80 points at three quarter time.
Franklin opened the fourth term with his sixth major, before Stokes kicked his second goal to push the margin out to 91 points.
Hawthorn-5.5, 7.10, 15.12, 23.16 (154)
Melbourne-1.1, 1.5, 2.10, 6.14 (50)
Best-
Hawthorn- Franklin, Mitchell, Ladson, Dew, Sewell, Rioli, Bateman
Melbourne- McLean, Jones, Maloney
Goals-
Hawthorn- Franklin 6, Osborne 3, Roughead 3, Boyle 2, Dew 2, Stokes 2, Campbell, Young, Taylor, Rioli
Melbourne- Robertson 3, Green 2, Newton
