Neither side can have predicted just how wet and gloomy conditions were for the early start in Launceston on Saturday. Hawks assistant coach Luke Beveridge even suggested pre-match that his side doesn’t get to train in the wet often enough and his Gold Coast counterpart, Dean Solomon, said the same was true for the Suns – and that the club had used wet footballs to prepare for inclement weather following a poor wet-weather performance in Perth earlier this year. Whatever the training method, the Suns seemed to struggle more than Hawthorn in the wet, fumbling regularly and lacking cohesion as a result.
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Five of the best
Coming hot on the heels of a Jordan Lewis special from deep in the forward pocket, Hawks skipper Luke Hodge tumbled home a speculative long-range goal in the 23rd minute of the second term to give his side a hard-earned 12-point break. In many respects it was a ‘lucky’ goal for Hodge, but for his side it started a devastating run as Isaac Smith followed with two further majors within seconds of each other to suddenly stretch the margin to four goals in favour of the reigning premier. When Cyril Rioli slid through his first from the goal-square, the Hawks had suddenly doubled Gold Coast’s score and held a match-winning 30-point half-time lead.
Gazza runs free
Whether it was a calculated risk or an educated guess, the Hawthorn brains-trust allowed Suns talisman Gary Ablett to run free from the opening bounce at Aurora Stadium and managed to get away with it unscathed. Given free reign, the little champion racked up 45 touches – despite looking sore in the second half – to be the number one ball-winner on the ground. But with their own prime-movers in Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Brad Sewell also getting plenty of it, the Hawks had plenty of firepower and had no trouble posting a winning score thanks to 73 forward entries for the afternoon.
The sharp-shooter
In a side renowned for its expert disposal by foot, forward ace Luke Breust is carving himself out a reputation for unerring accuracy when kicking at goal – and might soon take a record from an all-time great if he maintains his current form. With three goals for the afternoon, Breust has now booted 26 since he last registered a behind and is within reach of Tony Lockett’s record of 29 without a behind, a mark set by ‘Plugger’ in 1995. A head knock early in the final quarter put paid to Breust’s chances of adding to his streak against the Suns and all eyes will be on the New South Welshman every time he gets the ball close to goal against North Melbourne on Friday night.
Cyril tightens up
As he raced onto the bouncing ball and threatened to gallop clear in the Hawthorn forward half, Cyril Rioli had everyone at Aurora Stadium holding their breath, waiting for a moment of magic to light up a dour final term. However, the Hawthorn faithful might be left with hearts in mouths as the club looks to determine how much damage the excitement machine has done to his fragile hamstrings in yet another injury scare. Having overstretched in his attempt to gain possession, Rioli slid face first along the slick turf and thumped his hand into the deck before slowly picking himself up and trudging off to take up a place on the bench and apply ice to those dodgy hammies.
