Hawthorn sneaks within one win of the eight with victory over Collingwood
TODAY’S LINE-UP: Matthew Richardson, Cameron Ling, Tim Lane, Tony Leonard, and Mick Warner.
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Richo said Tom Mitchell was the best player on the ground today.
“He kicked those two goals at the start of the last quarter which pretty much won them the game,” he said.
RICHO’S VOTES
5. Tom Mitchell (Haw)
4. Ryan Burton (Haw)
3. Jordan de Goey (Coll)
2. Shaun Burgoyne (Haw)
1. Daniel Howe (Haw)
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FULL TIME
Hawthorn is within one win of the eight after beating Collingwood by 24 points.
Tom Mitchell racked up 35 touches and kicked two vital goals in the final quarter, while James Sicily and Ryan Burton were solid across the backline.
Luke Hodge told 3AW after the game the Hawks have taken time to adjust to a new-look line-up.
“It took until Round 7 or 8 where we started to click,” he said.
“Definitely in the last two weeks we’re feeling a lot more comfortable.”
Hodge said it’s important not to lose your head when the going gets tough.
“Footy’s not supposed to be easy,” he said.
Click play for the full-time wrap and Hodge interview
Click play for match highlights
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HALF TIME
Hawthorn leads by six points after an entertaining half of footy.
Both sides have had periods of ascendancy, but the Hawks have been slightly more efficient going forward.
Richo said the Pies need to cut down on Hawthorn’s marks.
Click play for the half-time wrap
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A send-off rule has been on the agenda since Tomas Bugg’s off-the-ball hit on Callum Mills on Friday night.
Injured Hawk Josh Gibson told 3AW it’s a tough situation.
“You might get to a Grand Final and someone just walks out there and snipes the best player,” Gibson said.
Click play for the full story
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Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh joined the 3AW commentary box before the game.
He said 250-gamer Scott Pendlebury is “right up there” with the best Magpies of all time.
“I just know the players will want to give Scott a memorable day today,” he said.
Click play below for the interview
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Hawthorn has made a key change before the clash.
Ben Stratton’s comeback from injury has been stalled by swelling to his knee, he’s been replaced by Kurt Heatherlery.
The Pies are unchanged.
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It’s a testament to this crazy season that 14th v 16th is set to be such a compelling game.
The Hawks and Pies have played some classics in recent times, and the stage is set for another.
Both sides have played some seriously good footy in patches in 2017. Who will rise above on Sunday?
Join the No. 1 commentary team in the game on 3AW Football.
BELOW: Follow live commentary highlights throughout the weekend.