Hawks Snatch Thrilling Victory Over Unbeaten Swans
Hawthorn has delivered a stunning upset, overcoming a significant deficit to defeat a previously undefeated Sydney Swans outfit by 17 points in a nail-biting contest at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The final score read 14.15 (99) to 13.4 (82) in front of a passionate crowd of 47,945 on Thursday night.
The Hawks found themselves trailing by 20 points during the third term, but a remarkable resurgence in the final quarter saw them pile on 5.5 to Sydney’s 1.1, ultimately sealing a hard-fought win and their second consecutive victory of the season.
Gunston Fires Hawthorn to Victory
Veteran forward Jack Gunston was the undoubted hero for the Hawks, booting a crucial four goals. His third major, which ignited the late surge, put Hawthorn in front for the 13th time in a see-sawing battle. He then added another late in the piece to put the result beyond doubt.
Newcombe’s Midfield Dominance
Co-captain Jai Newcombe was instrumental in Hawthorn’s turnaround, amassing an impressive 31 disposals and nine clearances. His influence grew significantly after halftime, as the Hawks began to assert their dominance at the coalface. Newcombe’s leadership and work rate were pivotal in lifting his side after an opening-round thumping from Greater Western Sydney.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell expressed immense pride in his team’s performance. “They’re a very good side and we had to really earn the win. It felt like a well-earned game,” he commented. “I couldn’t be more proud of the effort the players put in. There was an intensity about the whole game, right to the last five seconds. So for our players to put together 120 minutes of really high-intensity footy was a good sign.”
Other Key Contributors for Hawthorn
Beyond Gunston and Newcombe, several other Hawks made significant contributions:
- Dylan Moore: Contributed 22 disposals and three valuable goals.
- Josh Ward: Was busy throughout the match with 27 disposals.
- Jack Ginnivan: Made his presence felt after halftime, tallying 22 disposals.
- Nick Watson: Despite copping knocks to his hip and head, he shone late in the game, finishing with 18 disposals and a goal.
Swans’ Fight Undone by Second-Half Fade
For Sydney, the loss marks the end of their perfect start to the season, which included strong wins against Carlton and Brisbane. Key defender Tom Barrass played a vital role in limiting the impact of Sydney’s spearhead Charlie Curnow, who had kicked two early goals.
Despite the efforts of Chad Warner (27 disposals, six clearances) and Callum Mills (29 touches), who battled hard for a Swans side missing star duo Errol Gulden and Isaac Heeney due to injury, the team was ultimately outplayed in the second half.
Logan McDonald managed three goals for Sydney, including a contentious major that briefly put them ahead in the final quarter. This goal was awarded a mark and a 50-metre penalty after a contest involving Josh Weddle.
Sydney coach Dean Cox acknowledged the disappointment of the loss. “To lose in all areas of the ground is something we need to look at,” he stated. “It’s really disappointing. Against really good teams you can’t fluctuate to that level. To Hawthorn’s credit, they ramped it right up and won the ball back in dangerous spots and then provided a lot of energy from that.”
What’s Next for Both Teams
Both Hawthorn and Sydney will now enjoy a well-deserved early-season bye next week before resuming their campaigns in round four.
