By Seb Mottram
Hawthorn’s brilliant mid-season surge of form has continued with a thrilling triumph over the GWS Giants in Tasmania, with veteran Luke Breust kicking the winning goal in the final minute.
Down by 19 points at half-time and with six lead changes in the final quarter, Hawks skipper James Sicily drew a downfield free kick off Giant Tom Green that handed Breust a simple snap to steal the six-point win.
GWS had a final chance when Nick Haynes collected the footy with 30 seconds to go, but a desperate sprint and tackle from six-gamer Calsher Deal sealed the game for Hawthorn.
Sam Mitchell’s troops have now won five of their last six games after losing their first five of 2024, with three of those coming by single figures.
Will Day continued his dominant form at the top level since returning from a foot injury, leading the Hawks all day in the midfield and eventually going on to finish with 25 disposals and four clearances.
The 23-year-old, who has been dubbed by some in the media as Hawthorn’s next captain, laid several big tackles when the game was on the line in the fourth quarter and surged his side over the line. Day finished with a game-high 11 tackles.
Hawthorn ruckman Ned Reeves was taken from the field with a back injury in the third term and eventually subbed off, leaving the Hawks without a ruckman for the entire last term.
In the absence of other options, Sam Mitchell turned to young defender Josh Weddle, who stands at 191cms, to take on Giant Kieren Briggs.
Weddle finished with five hitouts but was one of the most important Hawks on the field.
Briggs capitalized on the mismatch and was the visitors’ best player, while Lachie Whitfield created plenty of run with 30 touches off the half-back flank.
But despite coming off the bye, GWS couldn’t run over the top of a young Hawthorn outfit, eventually falling to their fourth loss from their last four games.
They next face Port Adelaide at home but in the meantime, could finish Round 13 out of the top eight.
Hawthorn, meanwhile, are now just four points behind 8th place on the ladder, a position few could have envisaged just a month ago.
With games against Richmond and West Coast in their next two fixtures, the Hawks could be firmly in the finals mix by the end of June.
Crafted by Project Diamond