Hawks too good for the Collingwood Magpies in a tense clash at the MCG.
Hawthorn has increased its chances of winning the AFL title this year after overcoming the Collingwood Magpies by 35 points at the MCG.
Last year’s runners-up continued to hold the wood over the Pies as they ran out deserving 18.11 (119) to 12.12 (84) winners.
Collingwood’s half-back line simply struggled to contain the Hawks as they ran riot to have 11 goal scorers featured, despite a quiet night from the in-form Jarryd Roughead.
Showing how much the game means to both sides there was plenty of gamesmanship early during the opening exchanges.
Both side’s key forward came further up field, added to their accountability as both sides battled to earn a supremacy.
Travis Cloke finally scored the first goal for the game after the Magpies surged off of half-back, with a long ball into the forward line setting up the major.
Jordan Lewis hit back for the Hawks soon after, keeping up his top record of scoring goals in the first quarter.
Brad Sewell started to shine for Hawthorn in the middle of the field, as he earned valuable clearances for his side early.
Both teams continued to trade blows on the scoreboard as the intensity for the contested ball resembled a preliminary final.
David Hale continued to be active for the Hawks as he provided a target up front gained several valuable touches for his side.
Lance Franklin continued his stellar record against the Magpies in kicking his 51st goal in just 13 games, as the Hawks and another centre clearance the Hawks skip out to an 18-point lead.
Dayne Beams kicked an amazing goal for the Pies after snapping back across his body to keep his side in touch late in the first quarter.
Hale scored his first goal for the game to continue his early number of touches, as the Hawks scored the vital first goal of the second term.
Both sides then missed chances on goal despite solid lead-up work, as the game continued to be tight and tense.
Hawthorn moved out to a 28-point lead mid-way through the second term as rain began to fall at the MCG, making any buffer worth more, as contested ball became more important to win.
Cyril Rioli continued to wreck havoc for the Pies in the second term as strong wind whipped up to make conditions even more difficult for the players.
Smith then snared his third for the half as the Hawks continued to blow Collingwood away, continuing their recent record of big wins over the Pies.
After a lucky goal via the way of the goal review system, Quinten Lynch lined up to keep his side in touch, as home side kicked two goals in a minute.
However, two goals in a matter of minutes of Franklin, which gave him three or the game, saw the Hawks re-establish their buffer, as the led by 33 points.
Collingwood, however, showed there were not going to go away, as they kicked two majors late in the first half to narrow the margin to 15 points as the players from both sides came together.
The third term then took on a different look.
After the highest scoring first half in the AFL for two years, the goals dried up for both sides.
Franklin kicked his 300th goal at the MCG after he made the most of a shocking kick-in from Collingwood, as the margin grew to 27.
A late goal from the Hawks, thanks to a turnover by the Pies in their own half, saw them win the quarter as they entered the term up by 34 points, equal to the biggest lead of the game.
Collingwood began the final term in an untidy fashion as they struggled to find targets when they looked to move the ball forward.
Brodie Grundy continued to star for the Magpies late in the game, despite the win still just outside of reaching distance.
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