Game Detail

Round: 21   Venue: M.C.G   Date: Sun, 19-08-2012 4:40 pm   Attendance: 23,098
Hawthorn	6.3.39	9.7.61	12.11.83	19.15.129	C:
Gold Coast	3.3.21	4.5.29	8.5.53	10.5.65	C:
	HW by 18	HW by 32	HW by 30	HW by 64

Weather

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Match Report

Like West Coast had done earlier on the same day, Hawthorn did enough in this match to record a comfortable win against a bottom-four opponent without ever getting in to top-gear. The Hawks were never headed after Jack Gunston goaled at the 21-minute mark of the first term but it wasn't until the final quarter that they were able to break open a feisty Gold Coast side. With Hawthorn only five goals to the good of the Suns at the final change, coach Alastair Clarkson delivered a withering burst to his charges at three-quarter-time. Clarkson later said that he had been disappointed in the Hawks' ball use to that point.

With Lance Franklin a late withdrawal due to illness, Jack Gunston once again stepped in the fill the breech, kicking four goals for the Hawks. Gunston has now kicked 29 goals from 14 games with Hawthorn since crossing from Adelaide at the end of last year. Sam Mitchell was another withdrawal from the Hawthorn side, and this allowed captain Luke Hodge, in his fourth game back from injury, to gain some valuable midfield time. He and Brad Sewell each had 35 touches. For Gold Coast, Gary Ablett was at his brilliant best, notching up 43 disposals, eight tackles and two goals. Harley Bennell again played well also.

Hawthorn face Sydney at the SCG in a crucial game in round 22. A win over the Swans would see the Hawks steal top spot but a loss would leave them in danger of slipping out of the top four if they were to lose to West Coast in round 23. With games against, Carlton (home) and Adelaide (away) to come, Gold Coast appear unlikely to add to their 2012 tally of two wins but that should yet be enough to see them finish ahead of newcomers GWS.

GOALS
Hawthorn: Gunston 4; Roughead, Savage, Schoenmakers, Smith, Ellis 2; Breust, Hale, Lewis, Puopolo, Shiels
Gold Coast: May 3; Ablett, Brown, Magin 2; Taylor

BEST - HERALD SUN
Hawthorn: Sewell, Hodge, Roughead, Lewis, Hale, Birchall, Gunston
Gold Coast: Ablett, May, Bennell, Stanley

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Hawthorn: Hale, Roughead, Sewell, Gunston, Savage, Hodge, Birchall
Gold Coast: May, Ablett, Bennell, Magin, Stanley

COACHES' COMMMENTS
Alastair Clarkson (Haw): At different stages we were really pleased with the way we were playing and at other stages really disappointed, particularly with our ball use.
Guy McKenna (GC): I couldn't fault their effort. Up until three-quarter time, things - when in place - worked.

Umpires: Dalgleish, Stewart, Hosking

Player Stats