Australian Football

Match Report

A week after Hawthorn looked to have turned its season around, it finds itself back in the mire after it was thrashed to the tune of 75 points at York Park on Saturday. The Hawks looked like the power side they've been for the last decade against West Coast last week, but on Saturday St Kilda made them look second rate, dominating all four quarters to win in a canter and inflict Hawthorn's first defeat at the venue since 2012 - coincidentally on the same date, April 29th. 

St KIlda was on song from the very start, with a behind to Jack Newnes followed by a goal to Tim Membrey giving the Saints an early lead. Nick Riewoldt added a second major at the 13-minute mark, before Tom Mitchell kicked Hawthorn's first to cut the margin to seven points. Josh Bruce kicked St Kilda's third with Jack Billings also adding a couple of behinds but Ben McEvoy had the Hawks within striking distance at the first break, 10 points in arrears despite the Saints dominating the quarter. 

The first half of the second quarter was a relatively even affair, with each side kicking one goal, Dylan Roberton for St Kilda and McEvoy for the Hawks, but the Saints made the most of the latter half of the term, with goals to Maverick Weller and Bruce, while Hawthorn squandered chances, James Sicily missing two shots and Shaun Burgoyne one. At the long break, the Saints led by 22 points, having doubled Hawthorn's score. 

After half time, the first five minutes of play gave no hint of what was about to unfold. Ex Eagle and Bulldog Koby Stevens kicked a goal in his first game at his third AFL club, putting the Saints 28 points clear, and Tim O'Brien responded at the four-minute mark to restore the half-time margin. From there, though, the Hawks barely raised a whimper while St Kilda went on a rampage, kicking seven goals on the trot, two of those two Riewoldt, including his 700th at AFL level. When the three-quarter time siren sounded, Hawthorn was 68 points in arrears and in tatters. 

The Hawks did show at least some fight early in the final term, kicking the first two majors via Daniel Howe and Luke Breust, but the next four went the way of the Saints as the margin blew out to 80 points. Hawthorn flight on to kick two of the final three goals, but the final margin of 75 points was an accurate reflection of the difference between the two sides. 

For the victors, Jack Steven (36 touches and eight tackles) and Dylan Roberton (29 disposals and eight marks) were outstanding contributors, while the Hawks were well served by Mitchell (35 possessions, six marks) and McEvoy (26 hitouts, 18 disposals).

The Saints are 3-3 and only percentage outside the top eight, but will face a tough task against the Giants at Docklands on Friday night. The Hawks are 1-5 and ahead of only Sydney on the ladder, with a match against MCG co-tenants Melbourne (eighth, 3-3) to come on Sunday.

GOALS
Hawthorn: McEvoy 2; Mitchell, O'Brien, Howe, Breust, Sicily, Gunston
St. Kilda: Riewoldt 4; Bruce, Membrey 3; Gresham, Stevens, Roberton, Weller 2; Carlisle

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Hawthorn: Mitchell, McEvoy, Hodge, Hartung
St. Kilda: Steven, Stevens, Steele, Roberton, Ross, Riewoldt, Weller

BEST - THE AGE
Hawthorn: McEvoy, T Mitchell, Hodge
St. Kilda: Roberton, Stevens, Steele, Steven, Riewoldt, Ross, Geary

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
St. Kilda: NIl

UMPIRES: Foot, Stevic, Schmitt

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox Footy

COMMENTATORS: Dwayne Russell, Jonathan Brown, Alastair Lynch, Nick Dal Santo