THE HAWKS had all the momentum early in the second half, and Sam Mitchell extended their lead to a game-high 21 points after a piece of Cyril Rioli opportunism.

A contest between Harry O'Brien and Rioli deep in Hawthorn’s forward line and looked like resulting in a free kick. At least Nick Maxwell thought so, as he gathered the ball. Rioli tackled him and Maxwell stopped dead, looking over his shoulder waiting for the whistle from the earlier contest. The umpire did eventually blow his whistle - but for a free kick against the Pies’ captain.

Rioli chipped the ball back to Mitchell, who kicked the goal to give his side a decisive advantage.