Round Five Match Reports
- Millie Dunn
- 7 days ago
- 7 min read
Women's Seniors v Aquinas
In the chilly early hours of Saturday morning, the Hawks pulled off something that had eluded them – in their first match since being relegated to Division Two, Hawthorn were able to cinch a thrilling eight-point win over Aquinas. As Ash Miller celebrated her 50th game milestone in style, the team song rang out through the rooms at the Nest, and its words never felt more poignant – riding the bumps with a grin. There’s scarcely been a team who has had to ride quite so many bumps, nor one who has grinned quite so much. But the battles the Hawks have had to face made this victory all the more sweet.
The Hawks started the first quarter strongly; scoring the only major of the term. The contest was electric, with both sides locked in an engaging arm wrestle for territory and scores. In tight contests like this, goals are worth their weight in gold, and captain Tessa Bodin proved to have the Midas Touch – scoring an equal career high three goals for the match. Spurred on by their first taste of a lead in a long time, the Hawthorn defence redoubled their efforts, holding the opposition to a scant two behinds for the quarter.
However, Aquinas were not to be so quickly dismissed, pulling ahead by two points after adding a goal of their own and limiting the Hawks to just one scoring shot. Ruck Gigi Parker was engaged in a tantalising dance with her opponent all day, having well and truly made the position her own. Supported around the ground by Charlotte Miller in the middle, who was her usual prolific self, involved in every contest with unerring grit and determination.
Aquinas managed to extend their lead in the third term through another handy major, placing significant pressure on the Hawks defence. However, the backline once again proved their mettle, with Mia Mathias’ uncanny ability to pick off forward fifty entries and intercept. Both sides only scored once for the quarter, a testament to the competitive nature of the match, but Aquinas managed to inch ahead, gaining a lead of slightly more than a goal. In a game where three goals had been kicked between the two sides, it seemed the Hawks’ first win was out of reach. It seemed that way.
There’s an old saying about teams who have been struggling – that they’ve “forgotten how to win”. Well, it seems the Hawks have a very long memory, scoring four goals to two in the final term to snatch the victory. Utility-forward Lilly Hutchinson was instrumental, kicking truly and providing an extra dynamic to the Hawthorn forward line. Emmy Johnson, unsurprisingly, rose to the occasion, rolling off half back and through the midfield to score. Despite a mini fight back from Aquinas, the Hawks were able to stand firm and salute the final siren with cheers rather than condolences.
Newly minted in Division Two, the Hawks will look forward to a much more competitive season, ready to reap the rewards of their resilience and sing the team song with pride. With the side’s hard work seemingly about to pay off, I would suggest tuning in to watch what is shaping up to be a much more interesting season for the Hawks.
HAWTHORN
1.1 1.2 1.3 5.7 (37)
AQUINAS
0.2 1.4 2.4 4.5 (29)
GOALS T. Bodin (3), E. Johnson, L. Hutchinson
BEST T. Bodin, L. Hutchinson, C. Miller, M. Mathias, G. Parker, E. Johnson
Men’s Reserves v South Melbourne
For the Reserves on Saturday, it was a tale of two halves. The first half remained incredibly competitive, but South Melbourne managed to slip away during the second half, taking advantage of an injured, tired, and rotationless Hawthorn outfit to win by 49 points. The Hawks continue to battle hard and develop their team synergy as they seek their first win of the year.
The first term started as a thrilling contest, with both sides able to capitalise on multiple forward fifty entries to score. Hawthorn maintained 100% accuracy for the quarter, with Max Zaverella materialising as a revelation in front of goal, kicking three for the match. South Melbourne went into the first break with a scant four-point lead, setting up what seemed to be a thrilling contest.
The second quarter continued to be an arm wrestle, with the defensive pressure from the Hawks preventing South Melbourne from converting their forward fifty entries into goals. Charles Hicks was instrumental in the back half, able to disrupt the flow of South Melbourne’s play and force their inaccuracy in front of goal. Sam Luth was also important, showcasing his skills and smarts around the ground. The Hawks ended the first half down by just one goal.
While South Melbourne began to pull away in the third term, Hawthorn were still well and truly in the contest, their efforts across the ground stubbornly keeping them in the contest. Eric "The Eel" Bendtsen was mercurial in the middle, involved in all the action. South Melbourne were able to increase their lead to 20 points, but they were 20 hard won points against a Hawthorn outfit still battling despite the continuing toll the match was taking.
Hawthorn managed to stay in the contest for much of the match, but in the last part of the final term, South Melbourne capitalised on the flagging Hawks to extend their lead. Lucas Mercorillo was influential at half forward, able to set up Hawthorn’s scoring shots and convert himself. Down on numbers, the Hawks battled it out even as the scoreline blew out.
Reserves coach Tim Chapman applauded the team’s efforts, and the Hawks will continue to hunt the four points in the weeks to come.
HAWTHORN
4.0 6.3 8.6 9.8 (62)
SOUTH MELBOURNE
4.4 6.9 10.14 16.15(111)
GOALS M. Zaverella (3), L. Morrison (2), T. Atchinson, L. Mercorillo, S. Neohoritis, J. Johnston
BEST L. Mercorillo, S. Luth, M. Zavarella, E. Bendtsen, L. Morrison, C. Hicks
Men's Seniors v South Melbourne
The senior side had a tough day at the office, suffering an 82-point loss at the hands of South Melbourne. Despite starting the game in good stead, the Hawks fell off quickly after quarter time, the side not at its dynamic best. The Hawks will look to right themselves as they chase a second win for the year.
The Hawks were well and truly in the contest in the first term, converting their forward fifty entries into goals. Phil Edgar was important in the forward line, providing a target and ending the day with a handy two goals. The sides seemed to be evenly matched, with only four points separating the teams at the first break.
However, this is where the wheels began to fall off for Hawthorn. South Melbourne got on top in the contest and the Hawks weren’t able to battle their way back into the game. As is often the case in games with high margins, the Hawthorn defence dominated the best, with Caleb Loorham formidable at full back, supported by utility Theo “The Bont” Ktenas to disrupt the opposition's scoring shots. South Melbourne went into the half time break less than twenty points down, but it seemed that South Melbourne well and truly had control over the game.
South Melbourne continued their dominance in the third term, owning the footy and putting continual pressure on Hawthorn’s defence. Cooper Fraser and Troy McMaster were important in the middle, providing a contest and challenging the opposition, as well as providing support to Hawthorn’s battered defence. Still, South Melbourne managed to pile on six more goals as they prevented the Hawks from having any flowing play.
In the final term, South Melbourne well and truly put their foot to the floor, adding a further six goals to their tally and preventing the Hawks from any majors. Harry Lewis provided effort across the ground for the Hawks, but the fight had well and truly gone out of the side. While South Melbourne were inaccurate, they still managed to win every part of the contest and storm away with an 82-point victory.
Senior Coach Mark Murray has already turned his gaze to the future, vowing to learn the painful lesson from last Saturday and get the side back into winning form.
HAWTHORN
3.2 5.4 8.6 8.7 (55)
SOUTH MELBOURNE
3.6 7.10 13.17 19.23 (137)
GOALS J. Kenny (2), P. Edgar (2), S. Eqbal (2), D. Quattro
BEST P. Edgar, T. Ktenas, H. Lewis, C. Loorham, T. McMaster, C. Fraser
Men's Thirds v Wattle Park
Also newly relegated, the Hawks faced Wattle Park once again, ensuring another tight contest. The Hawks accuracy in front of goal would prove costly, suffering an eventual twenty-point loss. Despite that, there were many positive signs for the Hawks as they steady themselves in Division Five.
As the game started in the setting sun, both teams wrestled to maintain possession, with Hawthorn having more scoring shots but struggling to convert into majors. Justin Raiti was instrumental in the forward line, adding a depth of class and experience to the Hawthorn outfit. They went into quarter time eight points down and ready to readjust and launch into the remainder of the game.
However, this launch was not to be, with Wattle Park well and truly owning the footy in the second quarter, limiting the Hawks to just two scoring shots while peppering the goal face at their own end to extend their lead by four goals. This gap would prove too wide for the Hawks to bridge, as Wattle Park maintained the lead for the rest of the match.
Hawthorn were able to conduct a mini fight back in the third quarter, limiting Wattle Park to just a point, but unable to capitalise on their possession of the footy, scoring one goal four for the quarter. Will Sadler was elite across half back, keeping the Hawks in the contest, his footy smarts and attack on the contest proving vital as Hawthorn owned the footy in the third term.
The final term saw flowing football, with both sides scoring well and able to maintain chains of possession. David Upton was another standout for the Hawks, an imposing figure at full back that limited much of Wattle Park’s scoring and attack on the footy.
Despite the loss, the Thirds side improves at a rapid rate each week and are ready to make some serious waves in Division Five. As we settle into the bulk of the season, watch out for what this side can achieve.
HAWTHORN
1.5 2.6 3.10 5.13 (43)
WATTLE PARK
3.1 6.6 6.7 9.9 (63)