A FOUR-goal fourth quarter to superstar Lance Franklin has seen Hawthorn home over a brave North Melbourne outfit by nine points at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium.
Ineffective in front of goal for the first three quarters, Franklin turned it on when it counted, helping the Hawks maintain September hopes by spurring them to a 10.13 (73) to 9.10 (64) victory.
Reported midway through the third quarter for rough conduct, Franklin overcame early inaccuracy to post a solid return of 4.4 and brighten an otherwise gloomy afternoon for Hawthorn’s legion of Tasmanian fans.
Despite the match starting in relatively clear conditions, heavy rain in the days leading up to the match ensured a slippery playing surface and made the matter of clear possession difficult for both sides in the early exchanges.
After North Melbourne opened scoring through a close-range goal from an unmarked Leigh Adams, torrential rain began to fall and the 15,080-strong crowd at Aurora Stadium was forced to endure a dour period of play as both sides struggled to produce a highlight to match the lightning show over Launceston.
The Hawks put their noses in front late in the quarter with a soccered effort from Liam Shiels, capitalising on North’s inability to clear the ball from defence.
Given his much-maligned goalless effort against the Western Bulldogs in round 14, Hawks spearhead Franklin was willing to roam for his possessions, finishing with six disposals for the first quarter despite the close attention of Josh Gibson who racked up seven touches of his own.
Two quick goals to North Melbourne saw the Roos bound out to an 11-point lead early in the second quarter and from here they stayed in front until late in the final term.
Small forward Lindsay Thomas played a part in both majors, first goaling from a 25m set shot and then turning provider moments later by booting long to the square, the ball falling kindly for Brent Harvey to casually gather and slam home from a metre out.
The Hawks’ responded quickly, however, as Sam Mitchell asserted his influence on the game with a long kick inside 50m to the leading Jarryd Roughead who made no mistake with his set-shot from 35m.
With the half grinding to a close, the Kangaroos began using the ball more effectively by foot and were eventually rewarded for a patient build-up when impressive youngster Liam Anthony gathered and snapped well from the right forward pocket to open the lead out to nine points where it stayed until half-time, North leading 4.3.27 to 2.6.18 at the main break.
While the Hawks were leading stats for disposals and inside-50m, the Roos were making their pressure on the ball count, laying 67 tackles in the first half compared to Hawthorn’s 43 and also shading the reigning premiers for contested possessions.
Despite the rain easing during the interval and the second half starting in still conditions, the waterlogged surface was not conducive to flowing football.
The sides traded goals throughout the quarter, North kicking out to a 15-point lead on two occasions only to be pegged back by the dogged Hawks.
With less than 20 seconds left in the quarter, Leigh Harding marked inside 50m and goaled to put the Kangaroos 14 points in front at the last change.
To add to Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson’s concern at his side’s deficit heading into the last quarter, Franklin had his number taken during the third term, following a brief scuffle with North’s Drew Petrie.
The report didn’t concern Franklin for long, however, the superstar forward finally bringing the crowd to its feet with a telling mark and goal in the first minute of the last quarter, reducing the margin to eight points and putting a late rally from the reigning premier back on the cards.
Franklin carried on his last-quarter revival, single-handedly clearing a forward ruck contest and snapping his third to break the pattern of traded goals and leave the Hawks three points down and in with a real chance of overrunning the brave Kangaroos.
Further goals to Franklin and Luke Hodge sealed the win for the Hawks, leaving the North Melbourne players with a bitter pill to swallow following a brave and committed effort.
Hawthorn 1.3 2.6 5.9 10.13 (73)
North Melbourne 1.2 4.3 8.5 9.10 (64)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 4, Roughead 2, Hodge 2, Shiels, Osborne
North Melbourne: Adams 2, Thomas, Harvey, Anthony, Jones, Simpson, Harding, Hale
BEST:
Hawthorn: Franklin, Mitchell, Hodge, Sewell
North Melbourne: Anthony, Simpson, Harding, Swallow
INJURIES
TBC
Reports: Lance Franklin (Haw) reported by umpire Vozzo for rough conduct in the third quarter
Umpires: Vozzo, Steward, Grun
Official crowd: 15.080 at Aurora Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
