Media Watch
Hawthorn ‘KISS’ their way back to winning form, says Ben McEvoy
The Age, Michael Gleeson
April 24
Hawthorn simplified their game – or as the slogan says played "Keep It Simple Stupid" football – after players had lost their way in the horrendous opening month to the season, ruckman Ben McEvoy said.
Last week McEvoy had been emotional after the 86-point loss to Geelong in his 150th game, but this week he said the team had rediscovered not only how to win but how to play good team football again.
"We had a really big build-up to last week as a team and I did as an individual as well with the milestone but tonight was equally good," he said after a best on ground effort in the Hawks' first win for the year.
"Like everyone else I am determined to make something of this year. There's been a lot said around that but we don't care we are just trying to hold ourselves to account and tonight was more like the type of footy we are trying to play.”
Jaeger set for a Tassie return
AAP
April 27
PRIZED recruit Jaeger O'Meara is set to boost Hawthorn against St Kilda on Saturday having overcome a niggling injury to his troublesome knee.
O'Meara missed the Hawks' past two matches after copping a knock to his leg against the Gold Coast in round three, including last week's upset win over West Coast.
Teammate Isaac Smith said the midfielder was on the verge of proving his fitness for the match against the 11th-placed Saints in Launceston.
"I'm told he will play," forward Smith SEN on Thursday.
"Whether he gets up or not, I guess he needs to get through training today.”
Cyril sparks Hawks to first win
Herald Sun, Gilbert Gardiner
April 23
THE F-word is a bridge too far at 1-4, but sprigs of regrowth suggest Hawthorn is not a spent force yet.
Old and new Hawks combined to relegate West Coast to a fifth loss from six games at the MCG since the 2015 Grand Final.
Cyril Rioli did the damage then and again on Sunday.
Tom Mitchell channelled the four-time premiership namesake he replaced in the Hawks engine room with a masterful display, while Tim O’Brien emerged in the famous No.23 by booting three goals.
It is a pity only 28,997 fans filed into the MCG to watch Hawthorn wind back the clock against a spiritless West Coast.
Rioli sliced and diced, ducked and weaved, and while not able to affect the scoreboard as heavily as he might have liked, he created chances for others.
Medical Report
Grant Birchall (fractured jaw) 1 week
Jonathan Ceglar (knee) 8 weeks
Kieran Lovell (shoulder) indefinite
Jaeger O’Meara (knee) test
Fresh Faces
Ball magnet Tom Mitchell has made an impressive start to his time in brown and gold, accumulating more disposals (34.2 per game) than any other player across the first five rounds of 2017. The Hawks other marquee off-season acquisition, Jaeger O’Meara, will return on Saturday after missing the last fortnight with another issue with his troublesome knee. The budding star amassed 36 possessions – the highest count of his 47-game career – against Adelaide in Round 2, displaying why the Hawks were so determined to bring him to Waverley Park last October.
Star
With no Sam Mitchell or Jordan Lewis, former Swan Tom Mitchell has helped fill the void in the middle of the ground. As mentioned above, Mitchell has had no trouble finding the ball in 2017, thriving since making the move from the harbour city last year, where he was down the midfield pecking order behind the likes of Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker. Mitchell’s first five games in Hawthorn attire have finished with 37, 38, 27, 32 and 37 disposals. 14.4 of his touches are contested (ranked No. 11 in the AFL), to with 7.0 tackles (No. 18) and 5.2 clearances. Safe to say it has been a sparkling start from the new brown and gold Mitchell.
Stats that matter
Hawthorn has slipped from conceding 83.0 points (No. 7) per game in 2016 to 115.4 points (No. 18) per game across the first five games of 2017, on the back of four 100+ points against games.
Team
B: B. Hardwick, J. Frawley, B. Stratton
HB: R. Burton, J. Gibson, L. Hodge
C: I. Smith, T. Mitchell, B. Hartung
HF: L. Breust, T. O'Brien, J. Gunston
F: P. Puopolo, J. Roughead, W. Langford
R: B. McEvoy, L. Shiels, J. O'Meara
Interchange: D. Howe, J. Sicily, K. Brand, S. Burgoyne
Emergencies: K. Stewart, T. Vickery, R. Henderson
IN: J. O'Meara
OUT: C. Rioli (hip)
