HAWTHORN midfielder Sam Mitchell has racked up a career-high 44 disposals as Hawthorn scraped home for a three-point win over St Kilda in Launceston.
The Hawks' stalwart, who left the ground in the second term with a bloodied face, returned heavily bandaged and finished Saturday's game with 20 contested possessions and 10 centre clearances as the Hawks won 13.9 (87) to 13.6 (84).
TALKING POINTS: Hawthorn v St Kilda
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson praised Mitchell for his influence on the game but admitted the high ratio of handballs in the star midfielder’s possession count was an indication of how much pressure his side had come under from a plucky St Kilda outfit.
“(Mitchell) played a good game, got his hands on the footy but such was the pressure from the St Kilda side he was forced to handball a lot. He’s a better player for us when he’s kicking the ball rather than handballing,” Clarkson said, adding that his Hawks had been fortunate to record a narrow win for the second week running after last week’s nail-biter against the Bulldogs.
“We’ve played two sides that are up and coming sides, that have a lot of youth and enthusiasm and they’ve both really taken it up to us in the last two weeks and we’ve been pretty lucky to get the victories.”
The Hawks never had it all their own way as the young Saints pushed them to their limit, with scores level at the final break and the Saints stretching out to an 11-point lead early in the final term.
The ability to come back from a final-quarter deficit was an indication of the pride within the Hawthorn group, according to the master coach.
“It showed a fair amount of grit to go two goals down and get ourselves back in the contest,” Clarkson said. “That’s the sign of a proud group and when the chips are down they find a way but probably two weeks in a row the better side has lost.”
Patty McCartin gets @stkildafc off to the perfect start in the fourth quarter! #ohwhatafeeling #AFLHawksSaints https://t.co/Ubjkg84Uz7
— AFL (@AFL) April 16, 2016
The Saints had their chances to take the game away from Hawthorn, most notably when Paddy McCartin crashed the pack to take a high-flying mark 40m from goal, but his set shot failed to bend back the required amount as he registered a behind.
While disappointed his young forward couldn’t seal the deal by kicking the winning goal, St Kilda coach Alan Richardson was happy McCartin had given himself the chance to make an impact so late in the contest.
“That’s the journey we’re on,” he said. “Guys are going to get lessons.
“Paddy, that’s as good a mark as you can want from a key forward and a person playing his 10th game of footy.
“I just like the fact the young fella had the courage late to continue to launch. I thought he had a pretty positive game.”
Turnovers proved costly for the Saints, especially in the first quarter, which ended with the Hawks taking an 18-point lead.
The Saints held their own kicking into the breeze and returned with a newfound confidence after the break.
Captain Nick Riewoldt was the driving force up front, winning the contest when tagged by Luke Hodge, who sported a bandaged right forearm on his first game back from a fracture 19 days earlier.
Nick Riewoldt winding back the clock! #AFLHawksSaints https://t.co/Gx3kuXWmhZ
— AFL (@AFL) April 16, 2016
St Kilda took the lead with a surge of confidence, but small errors remained a weakness and the premiers took a five-point lead into the main break.
Jonathon Ceglar, Luke Breust, Paul Puopolo, Tim O'Brien and James Sicily each finished with two goals for the Hawks.
Forward Josh Bruce showed the Saints they've made the right decision by renewing his contract, booting two goals, while Riewoldt, McCartin, and Darren Minchington also finished with two each.
MEDICAL ROOM
Hawthorn: The Hawks left Launceston with a clean bill of health and should be able to call on key defender Josh Gibson and tall utility Ryan Schoenmakers next week after both sat out against the Saints with muscle soreness.
St Kilda: Jarryn Geary left the field looking groggy after a heavy collision during the final term but according to Richardson has escaped any serious or lasting damage and looks likely to be available for selection next week.
NEXT UP
Clarkson knows his side has plenty of room to improve before they take on the impressive Crows under lights in a Friday night blockbuster at the MCG. St Kilda welcome GWS to Etihad on Saturday afternoon and may well deserve favouritism on the back of their form in the past fortnight.
HAWTHORN 5.2 8.2 10.4 13.9 (87)
ST KILDA 2.2 7.3 10.4 13.6 (84)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Breust 2, Sicily 2, O’Brien 2, Puopolo 2, Ceglar 2, Smith, Rioli, Lewis
St Kilda: Riewoldt 2, Bruce 2, McCartin 2, Minchington 2, Lonie, Armitage, Weller, Gilbert, Templeton
BEST
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Lewis, Smith, Gunston, Hodge
St Kilda: Armitage, Riewoldt, Montagna, Ross, Weller
The Hawks fly through the corridor and O'Brien finishes off the good work with a long goal. #AFLHawksSaints https://t.co/yCs5U7ow7X
— AFL (@AFL) April 16, 2016
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
St Kilda: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Stephens, Pannell
Official crowd: 15,173 at Aurora Stadium