Athletic Hawthorn celebrate first finals win for a decade and they now face Port Adelaide in next week’s semi-final
Athletic Hawthorn celebrate first finals win for a decadeSeconds out from quarter time at the MCG last night, Sam Mitchell walked the boundary line like a man out for a Friday evening stroll. Those who coached and played with him at Hawthorn say he was the calmest footballer they’d seen before and during big games. His opposition number was coiled, clenched and up for a scrap.
And they broke them with a unique form of pressure – not the manic, frontal brutality of a Carlton or GWS, but just that steadfast commitment to close down space and to never allow an easy kick. All night, the Dogs were panicked and rushed, forced into hack kicks and fruitless dumps, which James Sicily picked off with glee.
Unlike the Dogs, the Hawks weren’t seeking a scrap, a knife fight. They wanted the ball in motion, in their hands, on their terms, at their pace. And that’s precisely what they got. No team sprints harder to make position. No team is more prepared to go so wide to attack. For many of the Hawks, it was their first final. It was for Massimo D’Ambrosio. He has trodden a troubled track to this point. Overlooked in his draft year, bedevilled by injuries and not given enough opportunities at Essendon, he has played exquisite football at Hawthorn. Essendon didn’t show enough enthusiasm to hang onto him. It cost the Hawks pick 61, and he delivered in spades last night. He’s one of so many smart acquisitions they got for peanuts and who have thrived under Sam Mitchell.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nick Watson cramps during celebrations after Hawthorn’s elimination final win over Western Bulldogs7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
AFL elimination final Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn live updates — blog, scores and stats from MCGIt's do or die for the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn, as two of the AFL's hottest teams meet at the MCG with a semifinal spot up for grabs. Follow live.
Read more »
AFL live updates: Bulldogs v Kangaroos, Hawks v Tigers, Eagles v Blues — blog, scores and statsThe Dogs, the Hawks, and the Blues will all look to solidify their spots in September — but can the Roos, Tigers and Eagles cause upsets to shake up the AFL ladder? Follow live.
Read more »
AFL 2024 round 23 LIVE updates: Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn Hawks and Carlton Blues put finals hopes on the lineFollow along for all the major moments and post game reactions from the Sunday games of round 23.
Read more »
AFL 2024 round 23 LIVE updates: Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn Hawks and Carlton Blues put finals hopes on the lineFollow along for all the major moments and post game reactions from the Sunday games of round 23.
Read more »
AFL 2024 round 23 LIVE updates: Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn Hawks and Carlton Blues put finals hopes on the lineFollow along for all the major moments and post game reactions from the Sunday games of round 23.
Read more »