HAWTHORN 18.10 (118) def GOLD COAST 14.8 (92)
HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson says the Hawks lack of intensity was to blame for their poor start in which they trailed the Gold Coast Suns at half time before winning by 26-points at the MCG on Sunday.
Clarkson said it took too long for his team to respond but fortunately they clicked into gear in the third term.
“Gold Coast took it up to us, and full credit to them, but we just didn’t play with the type of endeavour,” Clarkson said.
“We didn’t tackle and put pressure on the Gold Coast side enough in the first half, and we allowed them to control the ball far too easily.”
“We just allowed those goals to be kicked far too easily, and that usually doesn’t happen to us when our endeavour and our intensity is at a high level,” he said.
“For our guys to respond in the manner that they did and get ourselves back in front by three goals by three-quarter time was a good effort,” Clarkson said.
“We had to work damn hard to get ourselves back into the contest like that, so that’s the pleasing part of the game.
Clarkson said Franklin made up for his poor start.
“‘Bud’ (Franklin) was really scratchy early,” Clarkson said.
“Thank goodness he had a good second half, but his first half was as scratchy as I’ve seen him for a long time; he couldn’t take a mark, he fumbled.
“But he’s such a good player and so hard to keep down for a whole game.
“Pleasingly for him and for us, he got going in the second half.”
The Hawks had trialed several players during this match including Sam Grimley on debut, Kyle Cheney and Jonathan Simpkin; players that have struggled to get a look in at senior level so far this season until now.
Simpkin, inparticular, was impressive.
David Hale and Grant Birchall were late withdrawals but were expected to be right for the clash against Melbourne next week.
The Hawks remain on top of the ladder after round nine ahead of the Cats and Bombers.
Here are the highlights from the game:
HAWTHORN 4.5 7.6 13.8 18.10 (118)
GOLD COAST 3.3 9.5 10.6 14.8 (92)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 5, Burgoyne 3, Roughead 3, Grimley, Breust, Bailey, Gunston, Mitchell, Hodge, Puopolo
Gold Coast: Hall 5, Ablett 3, Lynch, Prestia, Brown, Matera, Broughton, Swallow
BEST
Hawthorn: Burgoyne, Simpkin, Mitchell, Bailey, Stratton, Lewis
Gold Coast: Ablett, Thompson, Prestia, Hall, Matera
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Gold Coast: Lonergan (hamstring), Brennan (knee), May (quad)
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Sam Grimley subbed off for Taylor Duryea
Gold Coast: Jesse Lonergan (hamstring) subbed off for Luke Russell at half-time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Bannister, Ryan, Schmitt
Official crowd: 28,112 at the MCG