Since been drafted in 2001 from Box Hill in the VFL, Sam Mitchell has become one of the competition's most prolific midfielders. In his 250th game for the Hawks, Mitchell was once again instrumental in his side's win. Playing across half-back, the former skipper amassed 35 disposals.  Sharing the 250 game milestone with Mitchell was teammate Shaun Burgoyne, who since coming across from Port Adelaide has become a key player for the Hawks and a genuine game breaker. Burgoyne had nine touches in the opening term and finished with 24 disposals and a goal. Meanwhile, Dan Jackson was one of the better players for the Tigers in his 150th game in yellow and black with 28 touches and a goal.

 

Former Essendon forward Matthew Lloyd's article in The Age newspaper on Sunday morning caused a stir on talkback radio. According to Lloyd, Hawthorn livewire Cyril Rioli had underachieved in his seven seasons at the Hawks and was lacking in "aerobic endurance and repeated efforts". Coach Alastair Clarkson defended Rioli on radio before the game but it was the Hawk himself who silenced Lloyd. A solid contributor in the first half, Rioli lifted a notch or two in the third term with seven touches and four superb goals, making him the No.1-ranked player on the ground. The exciting Hawk finished with four goals, seven tackles and 17 possessions (11 contested) at 100 per cent efficiency.

Trent Cotchin was red-hot in the opening term with 10 touches and went into the half-time break with 15, prompting Clarkson to unleash youngster Will Langford on the Tigers skipper. The move did the trick with Cotchin restricted to just seven disposals in the second half. The captain will be hoping injured teammate Brett Deledio returns to the side for next weekend's clash against Geelong to relieve some pressure. Langford himself finished with 20 disposals and eight tackles.

 

After a strong start to the season, Hawthorn forward Jarryd Roughead has gone quiet in the past two weeks. The 27-year-old kicked a bag of five in the Hawks' round one win over the Brisbane Lions and then had 22 disposals and four goals in the Grand Final rematch against Fremantle in round three. Last Monday against the Cats, Roughead was held goalless for the first time this season and while he had 15 touches had very little impact on the contest. Again on Sunday, he appeared out of sorts with David Astbury containing him to 14 touches and a goal which he was gifted in the final term when the sting had gone out of the game.

 

Hawk defender Josh Gibson was reported late in the final term after an attempted spoil on Reece Conca that appeared to make contact with the Richmond midfielder's head. Conca was knocked to the ground, sparking a melee with Gibson's number taken. The Tiger left the ground and was assessed for concussion and didn't return to the field. Earlier in the season, Carlton's Andrew Walker made high contact to Port Adelaide forward Justin Westfhoff as he attempted to spoil. The AFL's Match Review Panel assessed that incident and no further action was taken, which could set a precedent for Gibson.