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Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hawks too strong despite Saints star causing nightmares
Hawthorn have given their top-four hopes another boost with a grinding 20-point victory over St Kilda despite Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's career-best disposal haul. Mabior Chol celebrated his 100-game milestone as one of the Hawks' 10 goal-kickers in the 14.10 (94) to 10.14 (74) triumph at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night. It lifted Sam Mitchell's men into fourth spot with an 11-5 record that keeps them just two premiership points behind the second-placed Brisbane Lions. Jack Gunston (three goals), Nick Watson and Chol (two each) all hit the scoreboard as Hawthorn's superior efficiency in attack ultimately told the tale. Lloyd Meek was outstanding in the ruck and ex-St Kilda backman Josh Battle shone in defence despite jeers from his former fans throughout the match. Jai Newcombe (22 disposals, seven clearances) and Connor Nash (19, eight) did plenty of the grunt work in the middle. But the Hawks were on the wrong end of a 53-42 inside-50 count, leaving coach Mitchell unsure whether his glass was half-empty or half-full. "You could look at it form a positive lens and say we kicked a reasonable score from the amount of inside-50s that we had," he said. "The other way to look at it is, 'Why are we only going inside-50 42 times?' "It was one of those games where I'm not sure too many people are rushing home to watch the replay." Mitchell lauded his side's maturity as they regained the ascendancy every time St Kilda looked as though they might fight back into the contest. The Hawks led 6.6 to 3.6 at the main break and rode some pressure early in the third quarter before putting a break on their opponents and seeing out a relatively comfortable win. It came despite the best efforts of St Kilda playmaker Wanganeen-Milera and emerging star Max Hall. Hall tallied 27 touches, five clearances and three goals, while out-of-contract gun Wanganeen-Milera had a career-best 43 disposals and 1004 metres gained as clubs fight for his signature behind the scenes. "I'm going to have nightmares about him," Mitchell said. "We scouted him, we tried so many things, but we just couldn't stop him. He was just too good. "Just wherever he is, even when he was on the bench I was worried about him by the end." Tensions rise after this tackle from Josh Battle on former teammate Mason Wood.#AFLSaintsHawks — AFL (@AFL) July 5, 2025 St Kilda (5-11) fell to a fourth consecutive defeat after managing just three goals from 25 forward entries in the first half. They added a wasteful 4.4 from 11 shots in the final term. "The ability to connect was really disappointing," Saints coach Ross Lyon said. "We turned it around a bit in the second half but we were inefficient and they just scored a bit easily, which has been a bit of a trend that we're trying to tighten up. "So that was disappointing."
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gunston sinks seven as Hawks hammer hapless Roos
Veteran Jack Gunston has kicked a career-best seven goals as Hawthorn thrashed North Melbourne by 85 points to jump into the AFL top four. The 23.12 (150) to 9.11 (65) victory at University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston on Saturday was the Hawks' third in a row and ninth in succession at the ground. Hawthorn increased their lead at each change against a North Melbourne outfit coming off an upset win over Carlton. Jack Gunston has a new career-high with SEVEN goals 👏#AFLHawksNorth — AFL (@AFL) June 28, 2025 The 33-year-old Gunston was in the thick of the action, with a one-handed pick-up in traffic in the goal square in the third quarter a highlight. He surpassed his previous best of six goals midway through the final term when he slotted a set shot from outside 50. "I'm rapt for him because he has put in an enormous amount of work without reward," Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said. "Everyone was very well versed that he hadn't kicked seven before. They were pretty happy for him when he did get there." Gunston was well supported by Mabior Chol, who equalled his career-best goal haul with five. The former Gold Coast Sun had a stellar moment in the third quarter, chasing down Zac Fisher to earn a free kick before slotting a major from outside 50 on the sideline. Hawthorn's Lloyd Meek outpointed Tristan Xerri with 37 hitouts to 31, with his side winning the clearances 44-30 and inside-50s 63-40. North Melbourne young gun George Wardlaw was subbed out of the game in the second quarter after suffering another concussion when he collided with the shoulder of Conor Nash. George Wardlaw has been subbed out of the game following this incident with Conor Nash. #AFLHawksNorth — AFL (@AFL) June 28, 2025 The 21-year-old missed several games last season due to concussions suffered at training and during games. Under concussion protocols, he will be sidelined for the club's 100th birthday celebration fixture against the Western Bulldogs on Thursday. After improved defensive showings in recent weeks, it was the Kangaroos' biggest loss this season and the second-most points they have conceded. Hawthorn have now won six of their past seven games against North Melbourne, including a 124-point rout in round 23 last season. "We got smacked in a part of the game we've been pretty strong at," Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson said. "They won the stoppage battle early and had us on the back foot. They were just a lot slicker, they were kicking goals from everywhere." Keen to make amends for sluggish openings in their previous two games in Tasmania this season, Hawthorn came flying out of the blocks. They dominated inside-50s 19-9 and clearances 17-8 in the first quarter, kicking five straight goals, but went somewhat off the boil with five straight behinds after that. Ahead 35-15 after the first change, Hawthorn piled on more pain in an eight-goals-to-three second term. Nick Larkey picked up five goals for North Melbourne, while teammate Colby McKercher was the best possession-getter for the game with 34.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hawks star kicks late winner to sink wayward Crows
Jai Newcombe has overcome a dirty first half to kick the match-winning goal in Hawthorn's scrappy three-point AFL win over Adelaide in Launceston. Newcombe tallied just five disposals in the opening two terms of Friday night's clash under the tight attention of Sam Berry. But the 23-year-old was in the right place at the right time when the game was up for grabs, with a Mabior Chol tap-on and a Jack Gunston handball finding Newcombe in the goal square for the go-ahead goal with less than four minutes remaining. Hawthorn held on grimly from that point on to secure the 6.11 (47) to 5.14 (44) win. HAWKS BACK IN FRONT 🙌#AFLHawksCrows — AFL (@AFL) June 13, 2025 The brave victory in cold and slippery conditions marked Hawthorn's eighth straight win in Launceston and improved their season record to 9-5. Adelaide slipped to 9-5, and they only had themselves to blame given they dominated for large parts of the game but failed to finish off their good work. Taylor Walker and Riley Thilthorpe kicked three behinds apiece, with Josh Rachele (0.2) also failing to score a goal. Adelaide only kicked one major in the second half. Jarman Impey was critical in Hawthorn's victory with 28 disposals and 756m gained, while Jack Gunston kicked two goals and set up Newcombe for the match-winner. Newcombe only finished with 15 disposals and three clearances, but his team walked away with the win. Adelaide dominated a host of key stats in the opening quarter, winning the inside 50m battle 18-9, clearances 11-6 and contested possessions 44-31 on the way to a two-goals-to-nil term. Isaac Cumming's one-handed mark, which led to Adelaide's second goal, and a brilliant chase-down tackle from Josh Worrell on Hawthorn's Nick Watson were the biggest highlights. WHAT A CHASE FROM WORRELL 👏#AFLHawksCrows — AFL (@AFL) June 13, 2025 Hawthorn were error-riddled and second to the ball in the opening quarter, with Newcombe restricted to just two disposals by Berry. Gunston finally broke the Hawks' goal drought early in the second quarter, and he also nailed a 45m set shot later in the term against the run of play to ensure the deficit was only 15 points at halftime. Hawthorn lifted their intensity in the third quarter, and early goals to Connor Macdonald and Chol made it a one-kick game. Adelaide were held goalless for the term, and it was just four points the margin at the final change. Adelaide's Mitch Hinge gave away a 50m penalty early in the last quarter and then was lucky not to give away another for headbutting Dylan Moore in the shoulder in a moment of madness. Gunston missed three set shots in the last term - the third from just 30m out - before Impey's surge forward set up Macdonald for a major. That goal gave Hawthorn a three-point lead with seven minutes remaining, but Izak Rankine hit back a minute later with a brilliant checkside off the outside of his boot. In a thrilling finish, Newcombe put Hawthorn back ahead, with the Crows' desperate bid to snatch victory falling short.
The Age
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Cocky and clunky, but Hawks still manage to get the points
So Hawthorn were still in it and found a way to win through a Jack Gunston reprise and James Worpel's industry. Loading Worpel – the out-of-contract midfielder – played a game against Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver that will have list managers wondering which one of that trio of potentially gettable midfielders would you fancy for the price at the end of this season. Sicily, endearingly, was quick to smile at his own improved kicking after it had been patchy – OK, clunky – in recent games for a player who is normally exceptional by foot. The draw has fallen nicely for Hawthorn in this period of clunk, with games against West Coast, Richmond and Melbourne. The month ahead, starting on Thursday in Darwin against Gold Coast, presents a sterner change. The best that can be said for this week is that their opponents are also playing off a five day break. Is there a non-clunky team in it after nine games? Collingwood? They got smashed by GWS in opening round, so they clunk a bit. Geelong would be considered clunky, losing a home game to struggling GWS – their fifth loss in a row at their home venue to the Giants, so that is a model of consistency. For two successive games, the Cats have clunked in the closing minutes. Last week they were in command but gave up three late goals and were lucky Jack Crisp missed his after-the-siren shot. On Sunday, they failed to convert when they owned territory and had the shots – Mark Blicavs, Tyson Stengle and Shannon Neale – as well as Patrick Dangerfield passing not shooting for goal. Gold Coast are in the top four, but let's give them time. They have already lost to Richmond. The Swans are the definition of clunky. Last year's grand finalists are in freefall (not withstanding a stirring win over GWS last week), but they have a better alibi than any other team for poor performance – the absences of Errol Gulden, Tom Papley, Callum Mills, Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey. Port? Seriously? From prelim' finalists to this without a Sydney-like alibi. Clunk. Fremantle? They are clunksters – able to beat Adelaide and the Bulldogs at home but then belted by Geelong away and lose to Melbourne and Sydney who have struggled against everyone. Then they comfortably lose to Collingwood at home despite having 62 inside-50s to 34 but never looking threatening. Essendon has won a couple in a row. Don't ask how they won them, but they did. They have had injured players in a young team. Carlton. Well, there's a team that clunks. They ground the similarly clunky St Kilda into a win through dominant mids and forwards. So Sicily, an unexpected sage, is correct. No one is flying, there is no one dominant team. But more immediately his side needs to remove any hint of clunkiness in Darwin. Mark of the man The mark of the year is invariably glorious. It is normally breathtaking and, by definition, rare and exceptional. It can be courageous – Jonathan Brown (2002). Sometimes, it isn't even really a mark, but you'd have to be churlish to deny Gary Ablett senior (1994). Normally, it is the manner of the mark, not the situation it occurs in, that distinguishes it. Sometimes it can be both. Leo Barry, you star (should've been the winner in 2005). But seldom is consequence sufficient to elevate a mark to universal acclaim. Mark Keane's mark in the last moments against Port was extremely consequential. The Showdown tally was locked at 28 apiece and the game was on the line when the Crows defender – by way of Ireland and Collingwood – back-pedalled with the flight of the ball. He had to know a pack was coming, but his eyes didn't deviate. His body didn't flinch. He marked the ball and safeguarded the game. In terms of valour, it was as courageous as you will find, not only for the bravery to ignore the oncoming players, but to have the guts to attempt the mark and not spoil, which would have returned the ball to chaos, or worse, into the arms of a Power forward. It's unlikely to be the best mark of the year by season's end, but it was plainly the most consequential and meritorious of the round. Tackle of the year Keane at least can be in contention for an award recognising his effort. Tom Brown will get nothing for delivering the tackle of the year to date to save the game for Richmond. With Tom Gross running to 50 metres out and shaping for a goal that would potentially deliver the Eagles' first win of the year, Brown mowed him down. He'd given Gross a 20-metre headstart, but managed to catch and roll him without slamming him into the ground and giving away a free kick. The result of this game will not shape much more than draft positions, but the tackle was, potentially at least, game-deciding. Tripped up An umpire 10 metres away somehow didn't see Melbourne's Kysaiah Pickett get deliberately tripped at the top of the goal square as he ran towards a loose ball and probable goal. The nearby umpire also didn't see James Sicily then grab the ball and throw it to himself around the goal post. Jack Higgins won goal of the year in 2018 doing something similar – tossing the ball around the goal post and kicking it out of the air. The umpire allowed Higgins innovative goal to stand, even though it was technically a throw. Sicily's should have been called a throw. There should have been no debate about the trip. It was clear. There should be no debate about the throw – you can't throw the ball even to yourself. A Melbourne team that finds innovative ways not to score doesn't need more help to not kick goals. They had scoring had two goals denied within seconds. Melbourne should have been five or six goals up at half-time if – and this is a tired refrain – they had an even partly functional forward line. They don't. Loading Without dredging over old ground, Jacob van Rooyen's youthfulness and leap compel you to believe he will be better some day. But he has to mark it for that to happen, and on Saturday he had just two marks. The game slows unhelpfully for Melbourne when he gets the ball. Matthew Jefferson was brought in as a project, but he is a battler. He had four touches, just two marks and is struggling at the level. Charlie Spargo's return has added some welcome bite, but he missed his chances. Bayley Fritsch is an enormous frustration. And Pickett, is their best forward but it is a lot to ask of a small forward to weekly kick the team's score. As for the denied goals, there is an argument for video to be used in periods of play leading to a goal. It seems odd that inconclusive video is used to try to determine if fingernails might have brushed a ball when it came off a player's boot up to 50 metres from goal, but very clear evidence of an offence can be wilfully ignored. Let's not forget the time in 2023 Jeremy Cameron hilariously accepted a handball from Geelong teammate Brad Close, who played on from a free kick while out of bounds, gave the ball to Cameron, who was also out of bounds. Neither out-of-bounds calls were made and Cameron ran around to kick a goal.
Sydney Morning Herald
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Cocky and clunky, but Hawks still manage to get the points
So Hawthorn were still in it and found a way to win through a Jack Gunston reprise and James Worpel's industry. Loading Worpel – the out-of-contract midfielder – played a game against Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver that will have list managers wondering which one of that trio of potentially gettable midfielders would you fancy for the price at the end of this season. Sicily, endearingly, was quick to smile at his own improved kicking after it had been patchy – OK, clunky – in recent games for a player who is normally exceptional by foot. The draw has fallen nicely for Hawthorn in this period of clunk, with games against West Coast, Richmond and Melbourne. The month ahead, starting on Thursday in Darwin against Gold Coast, presents a sterner change. The best that can be said for this week is that their opponents are also playing off a five day break. Is there a non-clunky team in it after nine games? Collingwood? They got smashed by GWS in opening round, so they clunk a bit. Geelong would be considered clunky, losing a home game to struggling GWS – their fifth loss in a row at their home venue to the Giants, so that is a model of consistency. For two successive games, the Cats have clunked in the closing minutes. Last week they were in command but gave up three late goals and were lucky Jack Crisp missed his after-the-siren shot. On Sunday, they failed to convert when they owned territory and had the shots – Mark Blicavs, Tyson Stengle and Shannon Neale – as well as Patrick Dangerfield passing not shooting for goal. Gold Coast are in the top four, but let's give them time. They have already lost to Richmond. The Swans are the definition of clunky. Last year's grand finalists are in freefall (not withstanding a stirring win over GWS last week), but they have a better alibi than any other team for poor performance – the absences of Errol Gulden, Tom Papley, Callum Mills, Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey. Port? Seriously? From prelim' finalists to this without a Sydney-like alibi. Clunk. Fremantle? They are clunksters – able to beat Adelaide and the Bulldogs at home but then belted by Geelong away and lose to Melbourne and Sydney who have struggled against everyone. Then they comfortably lose to Collingwood at home despite having 62 inside-50s to 34 but never looking threatening. Essendon has won a couple in a row. Don't ask how they won them, but they did. They have had injured players in a young team. Carlton. Well, there's a team that clunks. They ground the similarly clunky St Kilda into a win through dominant mids and forwards. So Sicily, an unexpected sage, is correct. No one is flying, there is no one dominant team. But more immediately his side needs to remove any hint of clunkiness in Darwin. Mark of the man The mark of the year is invariably glorious. It is normally breathtaking and, by definition, rare and exceptional. It can be courageous – Jonathan Brown (2002). Sometimes, it isn't even really a mark, but you'd have to be churlish to deny Gary Ablett senior (1994). Normally, it is the manner of the mark, not the situation it occurs in, that distinguishes it. Sometimes it can be both. Leo Barry, you star (should've been the winner in 2005). But seldom is consequence sufficient to elevate a mark to universal acclaim. Mark Keane's mark in the last moments against Port was extremely consequential. The Showdown tally was locked at 28 apiece and the game was on the line when the Crows defender – by way of Ireland and Collingwood – back-pedalled with the flight of the ball. He had to know a pack was coming, but his eyes didn't deviate. His body didn't flinch. He marked the ball and safeguarded the game. In terms of valour, it was as courageous as you will find, not only for the bravery to ignore the oncoming players, but to have the guts to attempt the mark and not spoil, which would have returned the ball to chaos, or worse, into the arms of a Power forward. It's unlikely to be the best mark of the year by season's end, but it was plainly the most consequential and meritorious of the round. Tackle of the year Keane at least can be in contention for an award recognising his effort. Tom Brown will get nothing for delivering the tackle of the year to date to save the game for Richmond. With Tom Gross running to 50 metres out and shaping for a goal that would potentially deliver the Eagles' first win of the year, Brown mowed him down. He'd given Gross a 20-metre headstart, but managed to catch and roll him without slamming him into the ground and giving away a free kick. The result of this game will not shape much more than draft positions, but the tackle was, potentially at least, game-deciding. Tripped up An umpire 10 metres away somehow didn't see Melbourne's Kysaiah Pickett get deliberately tripped at the top of the goal square as he ran towards a loose ball and probable goal. The nearby umpire also didn't see James Sicily then grab the ball and throw it to himself around the goal post. Jack Higgins won goal of the year in 2018 doing something similar – tossing the ball around the goal post and kicking it out of the air. The umpire allowed Higgins innovative goal to stand, even though it was technically a throw. Sicily's should have been called a throw. There should have been no debate about the trip. It was clear. There should be no debate about the throw – you can't throw the ball even to yourself. A Melbourne team that finds innovative ways not to score doesn't need more help to not kick goals. They had scoring had two goals denied within seconds. Melbourne should have been five or six goals up at half-time if – and this is a tired refrain – they had an even partly functional forward line. They don't. Loading Without dredging over old ground, Jacob van Rooyen's youthfulness and leap compel you to believe he will be better some day. But he has to mark it for that to happen, and on Saturday he had just two marks. The game slows unhelpfully for Melbourne when he gets the ball. Matthew Jefferson was brought in as a project, but he is a battler. He had four touches, just two marks and is struggling at the level. Charlie Spargo's return has added some welcome bite, but he missed his chances. Bayley Fritsch is an enormous frustration. And Pickett, is their best forward but it is a lot to ask of a small forward to weekly kick the team's score. As for the denied goals, there is an argument for video to be used in periods of play leading to a goal. It seems odd that inconclusive video is used to try to determine if fingernails might have brushed a ball when it came off a player's boot up to 50 metres from goal, but very clear evidence of an offence can be wilfully ignored. Let's not forget the time in 2023 Jeremy Cameron hilariously accepted a handball from Geelong teammate Brad Close, who played on from a free kick while out of bounds, gave the ball to Cameron, who was also out of bounds. Neither out-of-bounds calls were made and Cameron ran around to kick a goal.
