Hawthorn vs Essendon – Round 22 match review

Hawthorn – 14.15 (99)
Essendon – 16.20 (116)

Hawthorn has become the first team since the Adelaide Crows in 1999 to miss out on September action the year following their premiership. The Bombers secured themselves a finals birth with a gutsy win that saw a 35 point turn around after half time to win by 17 points. The Bombers trailed by 22 points at the main break and really needed a spark. Enter Matthew Lloyd with a bump on Hawk Brad Sewell, a brawl, and a young gun on the rise. Lloyd bumped Sewell in the opening minutes of the third term and the Hawk was knocked unconcious and didn’t return to the field. The two teams then proceded to have a brawl similar to the one we saw between Richmond and Collingwood a few weeks back. The Bombers had lifted but needed a little more to get the ball rolling. Enter Michael Hurley. Hurley spent the day up forward and after the brawl sparked the Bombers he was the man who got the back in it with 4 second half goals and 2 goal assists.

Big Moment

Who can go past the bump that is sure to rule the Bombers captain Matthew Lloyd out for more than Buddy. The bump also had a ripple effect, instigating the brawl between the two teams that is sure to have more consequences as fines and suspensions are handed out during the week.

Key Players for Hawthorn

Sam Mitchell – Was the hawks most dangerous player all day amassing 36 disposals at 72% effectiveness. Add 3 clearances, 2 tackles, 7 inside 50s and 1 goal assist and you can see he had a good day.

Chance Bateman – Although he had 10 less disposals than his captain with 26, he kicked 3 goals, had 6 inside 50s and 2 goal assists.

Key Players for Essendon

Michael Hurley – Played the best game of his short but promising career yet and was definitely the match winner for the Bombers. The young gun kicked 4.2 with all the goals in the second half to get the Bombers back into the game, and eventually over the line. He also chipped in with 3 inside 50s and 2 goal assists meaning he contributed directly to 8 scoring shots for the dons.

Heath Hocking – Hocking was the other Bomber to lift when they needed it. The Bombers were getting smashed in the clearances and although he only had 20 disposals he was the Bombers leading clearance man with 5, he kicked a goal, had 3 inside 50s and had 2 goal assists.

Musings from the match

Matthew Lloyd is in a lot of trouble.
The Bombers will be hoping that fines are all that eventuate for the other players involved in the brawl.
The Biff is back with two games in the last few weeks to include a good old fashioned brawl.
Hawthorn will be lamenting their early season “Premiership Hangover”.
In good news for the Hawks, Brad Sewell was up and walking after the game and looked to be ok.
In bad news for the Hawks, Max Bailey has done his knee again.

Supercoach news

Michael Osbourne (133) and Michael Hurley (123) were their team’s highest scorers. Not surprising they were also their respective team’s highest goal kickers with 3 and 4 a piece. Other players to reach triple figures were Jarrod Atkinson (119), Adam McPhee (117), Nathan Lovett-Murray (114), Sam Mitchell (113), Brent Stanton (109), Chance Bateman (107), and Heath Hocking (100).

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