Demons a class above as Hawks briefly show some fight

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Melbourne have leapfrogged Collingwood, for now, and taken top spot on the ladder after blitzing Hawthorn at the MCG by 54 points.

Hawks fans streamed into the stands for Emergency Services Round only to endure emotional whiplash as their side dashed their hopes, then resurrected them, before finally nursing them into the expected result.

Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Jack Viney were commanding and the Dees’ forwards provided them with plenty of options, as they found or made space.

Ed Langdon was everywhere on the wing and applied relentless defensive pressure, while Trent Rivers and Steven May, in his 200th game, were crucial.

Hawthorn’s Changkuoth Jiath is caught in a tackle by Melbourne’s Trent Rivers.Credit: Getty Images

Skipper Max Gawn and recruit Brodie Grundy are also proving a dangerous ruck team. In the second quarter, they combined for a goal, which got Dees fans on their feet.

The Demons struggled with some wayward kicking, finishing with 15.13. It was a ledger they offset early after kicking their first goal 11 minutes into the game after five behinds.

In a positive note on that front, however, the Dees had 12 individual goal scorers, including Harrison Petty who booted two in the first half before being subbed off with a foot injury.

Things were looking beyond dire for Hawthorn at half-time, having kicked just one goal to Melbourne’s eight, but the home side came out fighting after the main break.

The Hawks opened the third quarter with three quick goals, the first from veteran Luke Bruest – who headlined a return of five players for the Hawks, including defender Changkuoth Jiath – and then back-to-back first career goals from youngsters Cam Mackenzie and Josh Weddle.

Brodie Grundy celebrates with Demons skipper Max Gawn after they combined for a goal against Hawthorn.Credit: AFL Photos

However, the damage was already done after a meek first half, summed up in the Hawks’ first shot on goal.

It took 18 minutes for Hawthorn’s first inside-50 entry and attempt on goal, but Jacob Koschitzke’s shot registered as a behind and was their only score for the term.

When Hawks had possession they opted for shorter handballs and lost the ball quickly. In the first half they had just 14 inside 50s to the Demons’ 35, and just one mark inside their attacking area.

The second quarter was an improvement, but only marginally, as Hawthorn went into the main break with just one goal on the scoreboard, thanks to Mitch Lewis.

Demon Steven May marks strongly in his 200th game.Credit: AFL Photos

Then, as if Sam Mitchell breathed (or more likely berated) life into his side, they came out swinging after the main break and began to challenge the flag fancies.

Yet Melbourne were simply a class above. And although they came into the match the bigger, stronger and more experienced side, they also displayed a harder workrate, seen in their tackles, spoils and second efforts.

Despite being up against team languishing near the bottom of the ladder, it appeared a focus of the day for the Demons was bringing heat at the source and physically dominating their weaker opponents.

Hawthorn will have a better chance to notch their second win of the season next week as they face last-placed West Coast, while Melbourne will be challenged against top-four side Port Adelaide in Adelaide.

BEST
Hawthorn: Sicily, Day, Mitchell, Meek, Hardwick.
Melbourne: Viney, Oliver, Rivers, Petracca.

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