Gawn supremacy: Skipper stars as Dees blast Hawks in final term

It’s impossible to set the world on fire every single week, but the best teams win even when considerably short of their best. This summed up Melbourne on Sunday, defeating Hawthorn 15.14 (104) to 8.6 (54).

Sans Steven May in defence, and without Bayley Fritsch, Sam Weideman or Ben Brown in attack, the Dees were arguably ripe for the picking, having started the season 4-0 and with one eye on a blockbuster clash against Richmond next Saturday night.

Clayton Oliver, Max Gawn, Michael Hibberd and their Demons brethren stormed to a convincing win over Hawthorn.Credit:Getty Images

Hawthorn are a long way off the pace in 2021 but have proven to be more than a bit pesky. And for three and a bit quarters they ran with Melbourne, defending resolutely, capitalising on ferocious pressure in attack, and benefiting from general Demon sloppiness in what was not a game replete with displays of skill.

When Dylan Moore slotted his first major inside 15 seconds of the final quarter, the Hawks were again within a goal. In years gone by, Melbourne might have capitulated, succumbing to the itch that this was one of those days.

Sam Frost and Clayton Oliver going head-to-head.Credit:Getty Images

But the Demons of this season look made of sturdier stuff. Ultimately Melbourne’s win came on the back of a handful of brilliant individual displays. In a battle of the ruck captains, Max Gawn comfortably bested Ben McEvoy, controlling the air and kicking a steadying final quarter goal which spelt the end of Hawthorn’s resistance. Ed Langdon continued his outstanding start to the season, continuing to break lines, while also impacting the scoreboard. And in May’s absence, Jake Lever didn’t miss a beat. He was unflappable and courageous in defence, ably holding the fort.

Weideman and Brown both had strong days in the VFL, but their understudies Tom McDonald and Mitch Brown held the fort reasonably well.

The final margin was probably a touch unkind to the Hawks, who had persisted admirably for the most part. But the gap in class shone through in the end, with Melbourne kicking 8.4 to 2.0 in the final term to start the season 5-0 for the first time since 1994.

Desperate times

On an afternoon during which little separated the sides for most of the game, small moments were destined to have a big bearing on the outcome. Demon Michael Hibberd stepped up when needed deep into the third term. A desperate lunging smother stopped Chad Wingard from putting the Hawks in front. Melbourne rebounded from their goal line, with a sublime Christian Petracca baulk setting up Luke Jackson at full-forward. Jackson was impeded, with McDonald taking the advantage and kicking a goal, albeit after a score review to determine whether McDonald’s shot had been touched. It was a classic 12-point play.

Jake Lever pulls in a strong mark for Melbourne.Credit:Getty Images

Back in business

It was an eventful day for veteran West Australian field umpire Dean Margetts. The 363-gamer hadn’t umpired in the AFL so far this season as he made his way back from a stress fracture in his leg. But he got the late call-up to replace the injured Curtis Deboy. Margetts made an impact. Despite not being the closest umpire to the ball, he paid a free kick for a marking infringement against Hawk Harry Morrison during the second quarter, leading to a gimme goal for Langdon. The Hawthorn home fans weren’t happy with the decision, and neither was the legendary David Parkin, who didn’t mince his words while commentating for the ABC, saying Margetts should be dropped for the decision.

Play it again Sam

It was a baptism of fire for new Box Hill coach Sam Mitchell, whose Hawks were thrashed to the tune of 51 points by Casey at Box Hill City Oval on Sunday. But fair play to the Brownlow medallist. Never known for his pace during his stellar playing career, Mitchell raced from the Eastern suburbs to get to the ’G by midway through the first quarter, taking his place on the bench to help the rest of the Hawthorn coaching panel. There is little room for profligacy these days, given the AFL football department soft cap restrictions.

BEST
Melbourne: Gawn, Lever, Langdon, Hibberd, Oliver, McDonald, Melksham.
Hawthorn: O’Meara, Mitchell, Scrimshaw, Impey, Hanrahan.

VOTES
M. Gawn (Melbourne) 8
J. Lever (Melbourne) 8
E. Langdon (Melbourne) 7
M. Hibberd (Melbourne) 7
C. Oliver (Melbourne) 6

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