After successfully navigating a tense match against Fremantle in Launceston, Hawthorn are eager to test their ability in close contests against Collingwood, renowned masters of thrilling finishes.
Hawthorn’s James Sicily, a defender, contributed three crucial goals in the second half to overturn a 15-point deficit against Fremantle, securing a 13-point victory on Saturday. The win brought Hawthorn’s season record to 9-8, keeping them in contention for a top-eight finish.
Throughout the season, Hawthorn has been involved in five games decided by seven points or fewer. They emerged victorious against the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, and GWS, but faced narrow losses to Collingwood and Port Adelaide.
Despite the final margin against Fremantle being 13 points, the game was tightly contested with just two points separating the teams with less than four minutes remaining. Hawks coach Sam Mitchell praised his team’s composure under pressure but acknowledged the upcoming challenge against Collingwood at the MCG next Saturday.
Mitchell acknowledged Collingwood’s prowess in managing close games over the years, highlighting their ability to win such contests consistently. He sees Collingwood as the benchmark in this regard but believes Hawthorn is making strides toward matching them.
The clash with Collingwood is anticipated to be significant for Hawthorn, particularly as they look to maintain momentum towards finals contention. Mitchell emphasized the importance of the upcoming match for Hawks supporters, expecting a strong turnout at the MCG.
Meanwhile, Collingwood, currently with an 8-7-2 record, is on a three-game losing streak and needs a win against Hawthorn to revive their hopes of reaching the finals.
Additionally, Hawthorn found a late-game hero in Nick Watson, a first-year player, who sealed the victory against Fremantle with a crucial goal from the boundary line in the dying minutes. Mitchell praised Watson’s recent improvement in accuracy and noted his crucial contribution to the team’s recent performances.
For Fremantle, the loss to Hawthorn, their sixth of the season, jeopardizes their aspirations for a top-four finish. Despite Jye Amiss kicking their first goal, he struggled with accuracy, missing several opportunities which impacted the team’s scoring efforts.
Looking ahead, Fremantle aims to welcome back key players Sean Darcy and Alex Pearce for their upcoming match against Melbourne, recognizing the importance of these players in their campaign.
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