Friday Fallout: Beware the sleeping giant as impotent Hawks hit roadblock

Brisbane v Hawthorn

After a drubbing at the hands of Carlton last week, and with coach Chris Fagan equalling the record for most games coached at Brisbane, it really should come as no surprise the response we saw on Friday night.

What was surprising, though, was the lack of any real attacking threat or ability to get the game back on terms from Hawthorn.

Having dined out on the likes of Essendon, Richmond and Carlton in the last month and just scraping over the line against North Melbourne last week, was this the reality check required at this stage of the season for Sam Mitchell?

Perhaps, but with just two games left of the home and away season, these types of losses do not help a team’s psyche. Collingwood at the MCG and West Coast at Optus Stadium await the Hawks to round out the year.

Nick Watson was notably down on output with just nine disposals and no goals (for the first time this season), while Mabior Chol managed just three disposals and one mark in a dirty day for a couple of key attacking pillars at the Hawks.

It’s go-time for the Lions. I dare say there was very little review done of last week’s loss and, instead, an emphasis on switching into finals mode and securing a top four spot.

The carrot of a third premiership is now dangling within reach for Fagan’s men, and you sensed a level of desperation and drive that had been missing at stages throughout the early and middle parts of the season to-date.

Lachie Neale (35 disposals, nine tackles) and Will Ashcroft (39 disposals) were unsurprisingly the catalysts of this domination while Kai Lohmann (five goals, 24 disposals), Logan Morris (four goals) and Charlie Cameron (three goals), finished off their work and outscored Hawthorn by 19 points between them.

Beware the sleeping giant heading into this September, especially if they can solidify top four. They’ve been around the block before, and it looks like they’ve just started switching into gear.

Gold Coast at the Gabba and Collingwood at the MCG round out the season for the Lions, but then their real season begins.

Ethan Clark

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne

That’s how you keep your season alive. That’s how you end a losing streak against a rival.

North Melbourne knocked off the Western Bulldogs for the first time since 2019 after nine straight defeats to the Doggies.

The 23-point triumph (100-77) at Marvel Stadium has given them a glimmer of hope to sneak into a wildcard slot - which will be hard to pull off - but at least there is hope.

It was the first time they’ve beaten a side inside the top eight under Alastair Clarkson.

Roos legend David King loved to see the Kangas salute, praising the influence and impact of the intense George Wardlaw.

“To me it highlights the capability of this club and this team,” King said on SEN’s Fireball.

“When George Wardlaw plays with that sort of anger which he always brings they are a different team.

“When he plays they win 50 per cent of the time. When he doesn’t play they win 12 per cent of the time.

“I don’t know if I’ve seen a tackler close with such ferocity like he does. This sort of intensity is hard to find.”

Kane Cornes added: “Dangerfield-esque, prime Patrick Dangerfield. When the ball is in that phone box, look out.

“One of the great 19-possession games you’ll ever see from George Wardlaw. Well done to the way they used him, saved up his petrol tickets for late.”

Wardlaw returned from another hamstring injury to help guide the Roos to a pressure-relieving win which was also inspired by Luke Davies-Uniacke’s 31 touches, 10 tackles, 10 clearances and two goals.

“I think it’s time people started talking about Luke Davies-Uniacke with a different tone,” King said.

The pressure had been building on Clarko but that has dissipated for the time being after such a big win.

“I think now he’s guaranteed to be there Round 1 next year, but I wouldn’t be extending his contract beyond that,” Cornes said.

“That conversation can now cease which is great for him and the footy club to get some clean air.

“That’s how important it was on Thursday night for the footy club with the pressure they’re under.”

North will be eager to take that winning momentum into next Saturday’s Marvel meeting with Geelong who they haven’t beaten in 15 attempts since 2015.

A win there would completely loosen the pressure valve on Clarko.

As for Luke Beveridge’s Dogs, well, they do have their hands on a wildcard spot but have now likely missed a top six position.

Cornes says the wildcard concept is saving their skins this year.

“I think the wildcard will be amazing, it’s a great innovation,” he said.

“But for the Western Bulldogs, who need to be in the premiership business not the top 10 business, if you miss that… come on.

“We’re three years overdue for change at the Bulldogs.”

The 12-9 Dogs have Carlton and Melbourne to come and need to show something in those two fixtures for the Bulldogs faithful to have some optimism.

Andrew Slevison