Live Updates – Hawthorn Hawks v West Coast Eagles – Round 14 at MCG

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AFL Round 14 – Hawthorn Hawks v West Coast Eagles – 7:40pm AEST Live from the M.C.G.

Friday Night Football is back for another week as the West Coast Eagles fly to Melbourne for the privilege (?) to face a Hawks side firmly on the rebound from their loss to the Kangaroos last week.

Few changes this week for both sides…

In for the Hawks are two of their elder statesman in Crawford and Croad replacing Tuck and Boyle.

The Eagles have made wholesale changes with Armstrong, Davis, Graham, McNamara and Staker coming back in for the injured trio of Wirrpanda, Butler and Brett Jones whilst Braun and Chad Fletcher have been dropped after an ordinary performance last week.

Rumour of a late change for the Hawks with Stewey Dew expected to miss and be replaced by Tim Clarke.

The rumour has come true as Clarke has come in to replace Dew.

Budwick has been quiet kicking only 2 goals in the last 2 weeks. He should be up for this one trying to put some distance between him and Fev in the Coleman Medal race.

Captains meet at the middle for the toss of the coin, Glass calls tails and the Eagles will kick to the right of screen.

Dew is out with hamstring tightness. Got to be a worry for the Hawks as he has had ongoing problems this year somthing they would like cleaned up before finals.

1st Quarter

20:00 – Glass has gone to Buddy and Wilkes has gone to Roughead. Mitchell and Kerr to go head to head.

19:06 – Croad is on Hunter who has gone forward.

18:32 – Great play from Rioli on the half forward flank who sets up a free Mark Williams who misses the snap at goal. Hawks with the first score of the night.

17:40 – Stenglein has gone to Hodge.

17:28 – Le Cras kicks long into the Eagles forward line and McKinley marks 20m out from goal. Goes back and misses a shot that he really should of kicked.

16:48 – Eagles playing tight one on one footy early, not making it easy for the Hawks to run it out of the backline.

15:13 – Sloppy game in the early stages. With both teams getting numbers behind the ball. Ladson has a flying shot at goal from inside 50 and kicks another point.

14:51 – The Eagles really struggling to get the ball out of the defensive 50.

14:09 – Hawks trying to get the ball to Franklin on every occassion. Trying to hard almost when there can be better options available.

13:44 – Ladson picks up yet another lose ball across half forward and runs inside 50 only to miss the shot at goal. Hawks being a bit wasteful early.

11:56 – Hawks go forward where Lewis centres the ball to the top of the square. Wilkes punches instead of marking straight into the hands of Osborne who handballs to Roughead who snaps a goal from 15m out. I really hope the standard of this game lifts or we could be looking at another Friday night from hell. Hawks lead 9-2.

11:26 – Hawks go forward again through Crawford. Kicks towards Franklin who is pinged for hands in the back for the second time. Hawk fans are filthy.

10:58 – Eagles switch the ball and move forward quickly and kick towards McKinley who takes a nice grab 35m out from goal. He really should kick this and…………….. its another stinker off the boot, floating through well wide of the big sticks.

9:38 – Hawks recieve a free kick for Kerr taking it out of the ruck and being tackled. Umpire pays advantage then brings it back. A fair debacle this advantage rule is.

8:51 – Crawf looks like hes had a visit to the barber during the week. Getting plenty of it early.

6:58 – Ellis kicks forward from a stoppage and Ruffy flys up into the clouds to take a big grab. Goes back from 20m out and shanks the kick through for a behind. What a disgusting start to this game. Hawks lead 11-4.

5:56 – Took the words right out of my mouth Bruce. Finally some CLASS into the game with Crawf kicking a long goal from outside 50. Hawks lead 17-4.

5:08 – Bit of Shane Wigney about Jarryd Morton.

4:51 – Ruffy with the car on the mind tonight. Just went up for another big grab and just failed to drag it down and the Eagles rush the pill through for a behind.

4:21 – SHOCKING SHOCKING FOOTBALL. Wilkes again tries to centre the ball and only succeeds in kicking it straight to Michael Osborne 25m out from goal. Osborne goes back and has no problems kicking the goal. Hawks lead 24-4.

3:39 – Hawks looking alot better now as Hodge delivers to Williams 50m out. Very lazy marking by the Eagles and Williams pops it over the top to Young who goes back from 40m out and kicks yet another point for the Hawks. This would be very very ugly if the Hawks had kicked straight.

1:57 – Ladson kicks inside 50 to Mark Williams who has got free again. Williams milks a 50m penalty for everything but the umpire isn’t accomodating. Williams goes back and kicks another point.

1:21 – DISGUSTING!!!! More skill errors from the Eagles as Nicoski misses a target, Hodge mops up, runs inside 50 and slots one from 35m. That was never in doubt. Hawks lead 32-4. This is getting ugly.

0:49 – Eagles go forward where Davis recieves a handball 15m out from goal, has a quick snap and puts it out on the full. An indication of how the quarter has gone for the Eagles to be honest. One of the worst you will see.

Quarter Time – Siren goes for Quarter Time. Thank god say the Eagles who have looked as bad as i’ve seen a team all year. They have no confidence and their decision making makes you want to spew. The only shining light for them is that the Hawks haven’t kicked straight. All the usual suspects have had plenty of the pill for the Hawks, with Crawford leading the way with 10 touches. Buddy hasn’t had too much influence on the game, i’m not sure if thats a good thing for the Eagles.
Quarter Time Score: Hawthorn – 4.8(32) to West Coast 0.4(4).

2nd Quarter

20:00 – Lets hope this 2nd quarter is a bit better than the first or ill need a bucket at half time.

19:15 – ASHLEY HANSEN SIGHTING!!! The big white stiff has just taken a nice grab 25m out from goal. Surely he can’t miss this – He tries his best but the ball curves back and goes through for the Eagles first goal. Hawks lead 32-10.

17:23 – The Eagles playing well early, keeping the ball in their forward line. A quick snap from Priddis floatrs towards goal and slams into the post.

16:10 – The Hawks playing as though they have this won already. No doubt if they keep this up Al Clarkson will give the boys a mighty bake at half time.

15:07 – PLEASE SOMEONE PICK UP THE BALL AND DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE. THIS IS THE MOST PAINFUL GAME OF FOOTBALL I HAVE SEEN SINCE LAST FRIDAY NIGHT.

13:51 – Am I watching AFL Football???????

13:38 – YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS BUDWICK FINALLY – Long kick into the Hawks forward line to Buddy in a one on one. He out wrestles Glass goes back from point blank range and kicks the goal. Hawks lead 38-12.

13:17 – Jordan Lewis is off the ground for the Hawks with a hip problem.

13:00 – Great ruckwork from Cox who hits it down to Kerr who passes to Hansen on the lead. From 50m out he kicks it beautifully straight through the middle for a goal.

12:15 – Eagles win it out of the middle yet again through a long kick from Priddis. The Hawks fail to clear the ball and it spills to McKinley who snaps a goal from 20m. Eagles looking alot better in this second quarter. Hawks lead 38-24.

11:58 – Hawks win it out of the middle this time. A long kick forward lands in the hands of Buddy 45m out from goal. He has had his goal kicking problems over the past few weeks but goes back this time and slots it through. That never looked like missing. Hawks get the lead back up to 20 points.

10:51 – Hawks get the clearance from the middle and yet another long kick into Buddy and Roughead. The ball spills to ground and Roughead picks it up and from 15m out snaps home an easy goal. Three inside 50s for three goals this quarter for the Hawks. Hawks lead 50-24.

10:32 – Jordan Lewis sitting on the back of the pine with his jacket on. His night might be over. Ricky-O informs us that Lewis has a strained quad and we can put a fork in him for the night.

10:15 – The Eagles get the centre clearance through Davis who kicks a low stabbing pass to Hunter who marks 40m out from goal. Hunter leans back on the kick and misses.

9:18 – Long kick forward from Croad towards Roughead country he comes out and takes a great grab. He goes back from about 50m and makes no mistake. Three goals now for Roughead and the Hawks kick out to a 31 point lead.

8:20 – Long kick out of the middle from Nicoski to a one on one between Croad and Hunter. Croady is mauling him and Hunter recieves the free kick. From point blank range he slams it through. Its raining goals at the G. Hawks lead 56-31.

7:28 – DISGUSTING UMPIRING as Kerr recieves a free kick for high contact on the wing.

6:43 – SHES ON FOR YOUNG AND OLD – Big scuffle in the Eagles forward line. Hawks get the break through Rioli and have free men everywhere. It ends up with Roughead who is all alone in the forward line and goes back and slots through his fourth goal. Hawks lead 62-31.

4:00 – Priddis with 22 touches but hes butchered about half of them.

3:45 – From the Priddis turnover, Birchall goes streaming down the middle of the ground and kicks to BUDDDDDDDDDDDY who marks on a tough angle. No worries for Budwick as he slots through a checkside from about 30m. Hawks lead 68-31.

0:45 – Hunter copping the raspberrys from the Hawks supporters after the early scuffle with Buddy.

Half Time – Hawthorn lead 10.8(68) to 4.8(32). A very ordinary first half to be honest. Lots of possessions but not too much done with them. Roughead (4 goals) and Franklin (3 goals) have been the stars up forward for Hawks and look likely to kick a goal every time it goes forward. Sam Mitchell has had plenty of it as per usual with 17 touches as has Guerra off half back. Robbie Campbell has been great in the ruck giving Cox plenty to think about. For the Eagles Kerr has had 23 touches and Priddis 22, both have worked hard but have not really looked dangerous as the Eagles have been very handball happy (76 kicks, 113 handballs). Its hard to see the Eagles getting back into the game as they just dont have the cattle up forward. Hansen looked dangerous early in the second quarter but that was about it. Hopefully the game can improve in the second half.

Grab a beverage of some sort (Tooheys Extra Dry for me) and join me shortly for the start of the second half.

3rd Quarter

18:44 – Davis recieves the ball outside 50 and chips to Hansen about 40m out. Campbell drives him into the ground after taking the mark and thats an easy decision by the umpire to pay a 50m penalty that brings Hansen to the goal line and he pops the ball through. Hawks lead 68-38.

17:27 – Hodge currently off the ground with some calf tightness.

17:07 – Hansen marks outside 50 and centres it, Staker is been held on to and recieves the free kick. He makes no mistake with the kick. Eagles cut the margin to 26. Hawks have come out similiar to the way they did in the second quarter.

16:08 – Kerr pushes out Osborne in a ruck contest (believe it or not). Osborne kicks inside 50 and finds Morton who will line up for goal. Looking for his first goal in AFL footy and he pushes it wide.

15:06 – Hodge struggling with his calf and may not return.

14:37 – Hawks fans going ape droppings as Rex would say, wanting a free kick.

13:48 – Big Steve Renouf in big strife. Just hit Selwood high with an Elbow. Dare I say this could be the last game he plays for a while as he is reported by the umpire. The Hawks have to be careful here because the Eagles are back in this game.

13:17 – Ball goes forward for the Eagles and Cox marks inside 50. He goes back and kicks another goal. They have the margin back to 19 points. With the Hawks down to 20 fit men and playing disgusting football the Eagles are not out of this game and dare I say Al Clarkson will unload with a huge bake at three quarter time if this continues.

11:03 – The Eagles have lifted their intensity. You can tell they have a sniff.

10:36 – Rioli kicks a rain maker into forward 50. Williams grabs the spill and kicks it to Roughead who marks about 45m out from goal and he misses the shot. Hawks lead 71-50.

8:48 – Umpires might be losing the plot. Guerra recieves an off the ball free kick against Staker. It may have been Guerra who was holding Staker. Guerra has a shot for goal from about 50 and kicks yet another point.

6:03 – Long kick forward from Crawf and out comes big Buddy and takes a great grab about 20m out from goal. Buddy should kick this and does. He now has four and the Hawks are back out to a 27 point lead.

5:32 – Sam Mitchell without a possession this quarter.

4:54 – Ball goes forward for the Eagles and Staker scoops up the loose ball. The ball rolls towards the goal and looks home for a goal but turns it up just before the goal line and the Hawks rush it through. Very unlucky the Eagles.

1:22 – Hawks go forward and Thomas Murphy kicks long to Buddy who playing in front has no problems taking the grab 30m out. Goes back and misses the shot for goal. Typical Buddy miss that one.

1:17 – Hodge has come back on the ground.

Three Quarter Time – Hawthorn 11.15(81) to 7.11(53). The Eagles fought back well in that quarter kicking the first three goals and really getting on top. Cox started to get on top in the ruck and a few of the younger players got in to the game. The Hawks have been ordinary at best and are lucky they aren’t playing a half decent side tonight. Franklin and Roughead continue to look dangerous up forward but both missed easy goals that quarter. Mitchell really went out of the game that term and that coincided with the Eagles winning alot of ball out of the middle. Whilst its hard to see the Hawks losing it from here it will be interesting to see if they can improve on their ordinary performance so far.

4th Quarter

19:36 -Long kick forward by Hodge towards roughead a two on one contest and Lynch gives away a stupid free kick to Roughead. he goes back from 15m and kicks the goal. Hawks lead 87-53.

18:24 – The Hawks fail to clear the defensive zone following a kick out Armstrong grabs the ball and kicks to Hunter who marks from 30m. He must kick this to give them some hope. He misses.

15:21 – Shocking football from the Eagles. Davis turns it over again in the back half. Hodge recieves the ball from Roughead and slams through the easy goal from 15m on the right. Hawks lead 94-55.

14:18 – The Hawks go forward again and once again its Roughead to Hodge who slams through another goal from 40m, this time on the left. Hawks lead 100-56.

13:19 – Buddy gets the ball on the wing has a bounce, thinks about taking them on but decides to pass off to Williams in the pocket. Williams goes back and makes no mistake from 40m out. Hawks lead 106-56.

12:05 – Ellis kicks long to Ladson in the forward 50, Ladson marks and then unselfishly gives off to Roughead 40m out from goal. He makes no mistake and slots through his sixth. A career best night for Ruffy. Hawks lead 112-56.

10:35 – Kerr who has not stopped trying gathers the ball in the midfield and chips it forward to find Hansen. Hansen has been ok tonight and goes back and kicks his fourth. Hawks lead 112-62.

7:38 – Fair to say Quinten Lynch has had a night to forget.

7:00 – Rioli delivers to Roughead who takes a strong leading mark about 55m out he goes back kicks long and it just doesn’t have the legs as Glass marks on the goal line.

4:49 – Hawks stuffing around with the footy big time here. I think everyone including myself are looking for the final siren.

3:36 – Quinten Lynch seems to have a bit of a fan club in the crowd, give him a bit of a rev everytime he gets the footy.

2:52 – Brad Ebert once again looking worse for wear. Hes been in strife a couple of times tonight

1:48 – Priddis turns it over again on the wing (hes had 45 touches), Mitchell gathers and kicks it to Buddy who is by himself 15m out from goal. Buddy goes back and puts it straight through the middle. Thats his 5th goal. Him and Ruffy have combined for 11 tonight. Hawks lead 120-63.

0:55 – Kerr recieves the ball in the midfield and kicks long to McKinley who marks 35m out from goal. He kicks truly. Hawks lead 120-69.

0:04 – Hawks get the centre break which ends up with Birchall at half forward, he turns around and thumps through a big bomb from 55m and theres the siren. THANK GOD ITS OVER.

Full Time – Hawthorn 18.18 (126) def. West Coast 9.15 (69). What a shocking game for the second Friday night in a row. Franklin and Roughead were the difference up forward combining for 11 goals. There were some big possession winners particularly for West Coast with Priddis having 45 touches and Kerr 40. Both didn’t have a massive influence in the game and Priddis butchered the footy a fair bit. Guerra led the possession count for the Hawks with 29 with Mitchell and Ladson having 27 each. Jordan Lewis was the only Hawk to not have 10 or more possessions and he went off injured in the second quarter. Both sides now have a week off before their next games. The Hawks will look forward to this as they have a few injured players in their squad, whilst the Eagles are just looking for the end of the season at this stage.

Hope you enjoyed the live update – please leave us a comment with your feedback on tonights game or what you though of the live update.