Grading every player as Hawks dominate Roos in battle of winless sides

North Melbourne remains winless as Hawthorn picked up their first victory of the 2024 campaign with a 68-113 result at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

While most games fielding these sides in 2024 have brought with them little fanfare, many were intrigued to see how the two then-winless teams would play against a side that was at their level.

At least that’s what we thought, with Hawthorn clearly proving that they’re still a step ahead of their struggling cellar-dwellers on Sunday.

The win was set up by a dominant second term where they kicked eight goals to three, opening up a 37-point lead which they took into the main break.

While North Melbourne showed some fight from there, they were ultimately no match for their opposition across the length of the game, going down by 45 points.

Hawthorn’s forwards were everywhere as the likes of Dylan Moore, Jack Ginnivan, Lloyd Meek, Mabior Chol and Karl Amon kicked multiple goals.

For the Roos, Paul Curtis was dangerous up forward and Tristan Xerri took the chocolates in the ruck, but they didn’t have many supporting them in a down day.

Hawthorn will hope to keep their winning form going when they host Sydney at the MCG next Sunday while the Roos go in search of a maiden 2024 victory against Adelaide in Hobart on Saturday.

Our player ratings:

North Melbourne

Tristan Xerri: A

Won the ruck battle and helped himself to 10 clearances to go with 19 disposals. You can see why the Roos were glad to move on from Todd Goldstein.

Paul Curtis: A

The dangerous small forward kicked three and could have had a couple of others. A real weapon inside 50.

Harry Sheezel: B+

Not at his absolute prolific best, but still was good with 26 disposals as his elite skills were on show.

Luke Davies-Uniacke: B+

Good on-ball game with 23 disposals and six clearances.

Nick Larkey: B

Started slowly but came into the game just before half time. Kicked three and provided an aerial target.

Tom Powell: B

A solid contributor on-ball but wasn’t dominant by any stretch.

Aidan Corr: B-

Solid game playing primarily on Mabior Chol. Held the forward well early.

Bailey Scott: B-

Charlie Comben: C+

Again, showed some nice signs but had goals kicked on him too often.

Bigoa Nyuon: C+

Copped an early leg knock but still showed some good defensive signs.

Zac Fisher: C+

Colby McKercher: C+

Played a bit of wing and defence and did some nice things. Still didn’t impact much.

Will Phillips: C+

Jy Simpkin: C

Started hot but again didn’t have a big impact. Played more midfield than he has in previous weeks.

Cameron Zurhaar: C

Darcy Tucker: C

Dylan Stephens: C

Luke McDonald: C

Blake Drury: C

Zane Duursma: C-

Shows some good signs but isn’t getting involved enough in games yet. Will no doubt become a player, though.

Tyler Sellers: D

Eddie Ford: A

Subbed off in the third term for Charlie Lazzaro after copping a knock to the hip.

Charlie Lazzaro: N/A

Subbed on in the third term for Eddie Ford.

Hawthorn

Dylan Moore: A+

One Hawk that really lifted. Kicked four goals and had 20 disposals to go with it. Back to his best.

Jai Newcombe: A+

Started well when the game was on the line and finished with 32 disposals and nine clearances. A big response after a down week.

Conor Nash: A

Big response after a quiet couple of weeks. Was probably the Hawks’ best clearance player and used his big body at stoppages all day. Finished with 32 disposals.

Harry Morrison: A

Came into the side and was brilliant floating around half-forward and a wing. Kicked a goal and brought his own footy In the role with 26 touches.

Connor Macdonald: A

Another strong response. Was great early and had more than enough of it playing primarily as a forward.

Jarman Impey: B+

Another really good performance off a half-back flank.

Jack Ginnivan: B+

Kicked a couple and set up others. Part of a really strong forward group.

Jack Gunston: B+

Came into the side and immediately looked more than capable. Was good in the air and neat whenever he got it.

Jack Scrimshaw: B+

Karl Amon: B+

Kicked a couple of goals from the wing/half back flank.

Lloyd Meek: B+

Didn’t win the ruck battle but still had his moments, kicking a couple of goals.

James Sicily: B

Josh Weddle: B

Showed some really good signs with his electric pace and hit the scoreboard.

Cam Mackenzie: B

Good performance in the midfield and up forward after being subbed out last week.

Finn Maginness: B

Nullified a bit of Sheezel’s influence as a forward and kicked a goal.

Mabior Chol: B

Quiet early but found some space in the second half to hit the scoreboard.

Sam Frost: B

Did well to help nullify Larkey early.

Seamus Mitchell: C

Massimo D’Ambrosio: C-

Substituted off for Henry Hustwaite after nine disposals.

James Worpel: C-

Another weirdly quiet game after a hot start to the season. Didn’t have to do a heap today, though.

Jai Serong: C-

Blake Hardwick: D

Not really sighted up forward.

Henry Hustwaite: N/A

Subbed on for D’Ambrosio but didn’t have much time to impact.