A messy masterpiece at the 'G, ending with Mannagh from heaven
Jack Gunston, a near contemporary of the 35-year-old number 35, had an outstanding game as a marking forward, and would have been the most influential afield had he nailed a couple of additional shots. The ageless performances of players well into their 30s has been notable in 2025.
This game, if not quite at the standard of the best Cats and Hawks classics, was eventful and contained multiple twists, momentum shifts and was on the line, the margin the barest, until under three minutes remained.
It had villains, too.
For the gold and browns in the record 88,746 crowd, the man in the metaphoric black hat wore a white headband and long locks.
Bailey Smith, the game's most visible brand on social media, pushed the footy in the face of Jarman Impey in the second quarter and was subsequently booed, pantomime-style, for the duration and often (he had plenty of possessions and was among his team's best).
Conor Nash was the bad guy for the Geelong folk at the MCG after he clobbered and knocked out Gryan Miers with a crude round arm, a strike that, while not intentional – the ball was thereabouts – was simply unacceptable and should earn him weeks from the match review officer.
Chris Scott, while reluctant to grade the Nash incident, said he wouldn't argue against a reporter's suggestion that Nash's strike was worse than Docker Patrick Voss' on Nick Vlastuin (a three-week ban).
But the match was far more than a compilation of incidents.
Just when the Hawks appeared to be sinking, as Geelong's lead stretched to 23 points in the second quarter, they surged and took over in the midfield.
Clearances can be overrated as a measure of what matters, but Hawthorn's 11-consecutive clearances were a genuine barometer of the shift in the match. They owned territory in the dozen minutes before half-time and really should have been level, rather than 11 points behind.
Lloyd Meek was important in the surge, as were James Worpel and Jai Newcombe. Later, in the second half, Amon's ball use and run were important in levelling up the scores.
Max Holmes, who covers more territory than the ABC's Back Roads program (421 metres to half-time) produced a play early in the third quarter that was near the standard of Harley Reid's 2024 goal of the year – three bounces, running around hapless Hawks – except that Holmes merely kicked it to Jeremy Cameron, who converted from the goal square, rather than booting it, himself.
As the match unfolded, it asked multiple questions.
One was whether Hawthorn could convert their opportunities, if they had the nerves to finish the job and to turn their territorial advantage into victory.
The other was whether the Cats could stem those stoppage defeats, and either rebound or gain enough midfield impetus to let their efficiency deliver the win. In the second half, the Cats duly did overcome that stoppage problem, helped by the forever-unsung Tom Atkins.
Hawthorn played with marginally more verve, speed and enterprise. Geelong, as the more-seasoned unit, played with the greater composure.
Ultimately, the old pros – Dangerfield, Cameron, Mark Blicavs, Atkins and Mannagh from heaven – did what was necessary in the moments that mattered.
The blockbuster bar was raised. It is up to the various combinations of Collingwood, Essendon, Richmond, Melbourne and Carlton to match the messy masterpiece at the 'G.

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The Advertiser
3 hours ago
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Hawks to reach for 'kit bag' after Gather Round shocker
Hawthorn will revisit their Gather Round shocker and address a poor recent record against Port Adelaide ahead of their must-win AFL clash. While the Hawks will start favourites on Saturday in their Launceston home away from home, they have lost their last four games to the Power. In a round-six game laden with storylines, Port bounced Hawthorn with 12 goals to three to halftime at Adelaide Oval. What was billed as the highlight of Gather Round, given Port coach Ken Hinkley had taunted Jack Ginnivan after their epic semi-final last September, was a fizzer. Sixth-placed Hawthorn are coming off a loss to Fremantle and must regroup immediately, given someone will finish ninth in the tight finals race. "They've had the wood over us lately, they've won certainly the last three," Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said before Thursday morning training at sodden Waverley. "We haven't handled a couple of situations well. It's a big end to the season for every club and they're in the way of what we're trying to achieve." Mitchell was asked if they would revisit their Gather Round failure or simply get on with business. "A bit of both - we'll prepare the players as best we can to get the outcome we want," he said. "There's a whole range of things in our kit bag that we can use for that. The last couple of times we've played Port is part of that. "But whether we decide to show too much of that or not is to be determined." Hawthorn took a four-game winning streak into last week's Fremantle clash and Mitchell was asked about the significance of the loss. "Your (media) sky has fallen down ... last week we played some parts of really good footy and then some parts that weren't quite up to standard," he said. "Port are more than capable of being a fantastic side, so we know we need to play our best. "There aren't too many teams that can be too far from their best too often, and we're certainly in that boat." A feature of the Fremantle game was the absurdly high tackle count, which the Dockers won 103-78. Mitchell noted his team had the second-highest tackle count of the round. "They were outstanding, fantastic, but from our tackle attempts it was one of those games," he said. One of the highlights of Hawthorn's season remains 33-year-old forward Jack Gunston, who has kicked 39 goals in 14 games. Mitchell explained Gunston is the embodiment of using your brains. "Jack, he's learned ... later in his career, how to use his brain power to help his body," Mitchell said. "He's left it all out there as far as what he produces on the field, but during the week he does an enormous amount of work, not just on himself, but on everyone else. "That's probably given him extra 'legs'. Even when he doesn't play well, he has a significant influence on us." Hawthorn will revisit their Gather Round shocker and address a poor recent record against Port Adelaide ahead of their must-win AFL clash. While the Hawks will start favourites on Saturday in their Launceston home away from home, they have lost their last four games to the Power. In a round-six game laden with storylines, Port bounced Hawthorn with 12 goals to three to halftime at Adelaide Oval. What was billed as the highlight of Gather Round, given Port coach Ken Hinkley had taunted Jack Ginnivan after their epic semi-final last September, was a fizzer. Sixth-placed Hawthorn are coming off a loss to Fremantle and must regroup immediately, given someone will finish ninth in the tight finals race. "They've had the wood over us lately, they've won certainly the last three," Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said before Thursday morning training at sodden Waverley. "We haven't handled a couple of situations well. It's a big end to the season for every club and they're in the way of what we're trying to achieve." Mitchell was asked if they would revisit their Gather Round failure or simply get on with business. "A bit of both - we'll prepare the players as best we can to get the outcome we want," he said. "There's a whole range of things in our kit bag that we can use for that. The last couple of times we've played Port is part of that. "But whether we decide to show too much of that or not is to be determined." Hawthorn took a four-game winning streak into last week's Fremantle clash and Mitchell was asked about the significance of the loss. "Your (media) sky has fallen down ... last week we played some parts of really good footy and then some parts that weren't quite up to standard," he said. "Port are more than capable of being a fantastic side, so we know we need to play our best. "There aren't too many teams that can be too far from their best too often, and we're certainly in that boat." A feature of the Fremantle game was the absurdly high tackle count, which the Dockers won 103-78. Mitchell noted his team had the second-highest tackle count of the round. "They were outstanding, fantastic, but from our tackle attempts it was one of those games," he said. One of the highlights of Hawthorn's season remains 33-year-old forward Jack Gunston, who has kicked 39 goals in 14 games. Mitchell explained Gunston is the embodiment of using your brains. "Jack, he's learned ... later in his career, how to use his brain power to help his body," Mitchell said. "He's left it all out there as far as what he produces on the field, but during the week he does an enormous amount of work, not just on himself, but on everyone else. "That's probably given him extra 'legs'. Even when he doesn't play well, he has a significant influence on us." Hawthorn will revisit their Gather Round shocker and address a poor recent record against Port Adelaide ahead of their must-win AFL clash. While the Hawks will start favourites on Saturday in their Launceston home away from home, they have lost their last four games to the Power. In a round-six game laden with storylines, Port bounced Hawthorn with 12 goals to three to halftime at Adelaide Oval. What was billed as the highlight of Gather Round, given Port coach Ken Hinkley had taunted Jack Ginnivan after their epic semi-final last September, was a fizzer. Sixth-placed Hawthorn are coming off a loss to Fremantle and must regroup immediately, given someone will finish ninth in the tight finals race. "They've had the wood over us lately, they've won certainly the last three," Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said before Thursday morning training at sodden Waverley. "We haven't handled a couple of situations well. It's a big end to the season for every club and they're in the way of what we're trying to achieve." Mitchell was asked if they would revisit their Gather Round failure or simply get on with business. "A bit of both - we'll prepare the players as best we can to get the outcome we want," he said. "There's a whole range of things in our kit bag that we can use for that. The last couple of times we've played Port is part of that. "But whether we decide to show too much of that or not is to be determined." Hawthorn took a four-game winning streak into last week's Fremantle clash and Mitchell was asked about the significance of the loss. "Your (media) sky has fallen down ... last week we played some parts of really good footy and then some parts that weren't quite up to standard," he said. "Port are more than capable of being a fantastic side, so we know we need to play our best. "There aren't too many teams that can be too far from their best too often, and we're certainly in that boat." A feature of the Fremantle game was the absurdly high tackle count, which the Dockers won 103-78. Mitchell noted his team had the second-highest tackle count of the round. "They were outstanding, fantastic, but from our tackle attempts it was one of those games," he said. One of the highlights of Hawthorn's season remains 33-year-old forward Jack Gunston, who has kicked 39 goals in 14 games. Mitchell explained Gunston is the embodiment of using your brains. "Jack, he's learned ... later in his career, how to use his brain power to help his body," Mitchell said. "He's left it all out there as far as what he produces on the field, but during the week he does an enormous amount of work, not just on himself, but on everyone else. "That's probably given him extra 'legs'. Even when he doesn't play well, he has a significant influence on us."


West Australian
4 hours ago
- West Australian
Hawks to reach for 'kit bag' after Gather Round shocker
Hawthorn will revisit their Gather Round shocker and address a poor recent record against Port Adelaide ahead of their must-win AFL clash. While the Hawks will start favourites on Saturday in their Launceston home away from home, they have lost their last four games to the Power. In a round-six game laden with storylines, Port bounced Hawthorn with 12 goals to three to halftime at Adelaide Oval. What was billed as the highlight of Gather Round, given Port coach Ken Hinkley had taunted Jack Ginnivan after their epic semi-final last September, was a fizzer. Sixth-placed Hawthorn are coming off a loss to Fremantle and must regroup immediately, given someone will finish ninth in the tight finals race. "They've had the wood over us lately, they've won certainly the last three," Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said before Thursday morning training at sodden Waverley. "We haven't handled a couple of situations well. It's a big end to the season for every club and they're in the way of what we're trying to achieve." Mitchell was asked if they would revisit their Gather Round failure or simply get on with business. "A bit of both - we'll prepare the players as best we can to get the outcome we want," he said. "There's a whole range of things in our kit bag that we can use for that. The last couple of times we've played Port is part of that. "But whether we decide to show too much of that or not is to be determined." Hawthorn took a four-game winning streak into last week's Fremantle clash and Mitchell was asked about the significance of the loss. "Your (media) sky has fallen down ... last week we played some parts of really good footy and then some parts that weren't quite up to standard," he said. "Port are more than capable of being a fantastic side, so we know we need to play our best. "There aren't too many teams that can be too far from their best too often, and we're certainly in that boat." A feature of the Fremantle game was the absurdly high tackle count, which the Dockers won 103-78. Mitchell noted his team had the second-highest tackle count of the round. "They were outstanding, fantastic, but from our tackle attempts it was one of those games," he said. One of the highlights of Hawthorn's season remains 33-year-old forward Jack Gunston, who has kicked 39 goals in 14 games. Mitchell explained Gunston is the embodiment of using your brains. "Jack, he's learned ... later in his career, how to use his brain power to help his body," Mitchell said. "He's left it all out there as far as what he produces on the field, but during the week he does an enormous amount of work, not just on himself, but on everyone else. "That's probably given him extra 'legs'. Even when he doesn't play well, he has a significant influence on us."


Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Hawks to reach for 'kit bag' after Gather Round shocker
Hawthorn will revisit their Gather Round shocker and address a poor recent record against Port Adelaide ahead of their must-win AFL clash. While the Hawks will start favourites on Saturday in their Launceston home away from home, they have lost their last four games to the Power. In a round-six game laden with storylines, Port bounced Hawthorn with 12 goals to three to halftime at Adelaide Oval. What was billed as the highlight of Gather Round, given Port coach Ken Hinkley had taunted Jack Ginnivan after their epic semi-final last September, was a fizzer. Sixth-placed Hawthorn are coming off a loss to Fremantle and must regroup immediately, given someone will finish ninth in the tight finals race. "They've had the wood over us lately, they've won certainly the last three," Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said before Thursday morning training at sodden Waverley. "We haven't handled a couple of situations well. It's a big end to the season for every club and they're in the way of what we're trying to achieve." Mitchell was asked if they would revisit their Gather Round failure or simply get on with business. "A bit of both - we'll prepare the players as best we can to get the outcome we want," he said. "There's a whole range of things in our kit bag that we can use for that. The last couple of times we've played Port is part of that. "But whether we decide to show too much of that or not is to be determined." Hawthorn took a four-game winning streak into last week's Fremantle clash and Mitchell was asked about the significance of the loss. "Your (media) sky has fallen down ... last week we played some parts of really good footy and then some parts that weren't quite up to standard," he said. "Port are more than capable of being a fantastic side, so we know we need to play our best. "There aren't too many teams that can be too far from their best too often, and we're certainly in that boat." A feature of the Fremantle game was the absurdly high tackle count, which the Dockers won 103-78. Mitchell noted his team had the second-highest tackle count of the round. "They were outstanding, fantastic, but from our tackle attempts it was one of those games," he said. One of the highlights of Hawthorn's season remains 33-year-old forward Jack Gunston, who has kicked 39 goals in 14 games. Mitchell explained Gunston is the embodiment of using your brains. "Jack, he's learned ... later in his career, how to use his brain power to help his body," Mitchell said. "He's left it all out there as far as what he produces on the field, but during the week he does an enormous amount of work, not just on himself, but on everyone else. "That's probably given him extra 'legs'. Even when he doesn't play well, he has a significant influence on us."