Essendon v Hawthorn: Hawks pull off remarkable comeback to claim one-point win

Hawthorn has claimed a remarkable win against Essendon, storming home to win by one point after trailing by 39 at halftime.

The free-flowing game, with both teams scoring in bursts, provided a compelling spectacle in the latest indication that a six-goal lead may not be what it used to be.

Led by frontline midfielders Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett and Dyson Heppell, the Bombers decimated the Hawks in the second term, piling on eight goals to one in a destructive quarter of football.

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The Hawks then repaid the favour with an eight goal to one term of their own, with best-on-ground Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara dominating the ball around the contest and 11th gamer Dylan Moore kicking three for the term.

In a drama filled final quarter where the scoring dried up, a Devon Smith set shot from 45m out seemingly put the Bombers in the box seat, before Tim O’Brien stole the show just moments later.

FOOTY KARMA COMES THROUGH FOR HAWKS

Riding a wave of momentum having kicked the first four goals of the third quarter, a controversial umpiring decision had Hawthorn fans irate.

Muffing an uncontested chest mark on a high forward-50 entry, Hawthorn defender Kyle Hartigan appeared to be ridden into the ground by Essendon debutant Harrison Jones. Swallowing his whistle, the umpire would instead penalise Hartigan for holding the ball.

Desperately needing to quell Hawthorn’s momentum, Jones missed the set shot from 30m and the Hawks zipped the ball down the other end, where Harry Morrison would kick his second. Controversy was averted in a sequence that proved telling by the final siren.

TWO METRE PETER ON THE BOARD

It felt fitting that former Gold Coast Sun Peter Wright drilled his first goal as an Essendon player from outside 50.

For years Bombers fans became accustomed to watching Joe Daniher swing around on his left boot from long range, and in the midst of a rampaging second quarter demolition job it was the newest 200cm forward that got the job done at the 23-minute mark for the Bombers’ sixth consecutive major.

RISING HAWK ON THE BURST

The Hawks may have lost the dashing long strides of Isaac Smith after his off-season move to the Cats, but Changkuoth Jiath provided a similar thrill for Hawks fans in the first quarter.

Receiving the ball on the far wing in the 21st minute, Jiath took off for a two-bounce gallop before pinpointing a beautiful pass to fellow Hawks’ youngster Tyler Brockman, who converted from 30m out directly in front for his first AFL goal.

Playing in just his eighth game, Jiath played across the half-backline and finished with 22 possessions and 336 metres gained in an eye-catching performance.

SCOREBOARD

HAWKS 3.1, 4.3, 12.,3 14.8 (92)

BOMBERS 2.4, 10.6, 11.10, 13.13 (91)

PITMAN’S BEST

HAWKS: Mitchell, O’Meara, Day, Phillips, Jiath, Morrison

BOMBERS: McGrath, Merrett, Heppell, Ridley, Caldwell, Hind

GOALS

HAWKS: Moore 3, Brockman 2, Morrison 2, O’Brien 2, Ceglar, Hanrahan, Phillips,

Breust, McEvoy

BOMBERS: Shiel 2, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, Smith 2, Hooker, McGrath, Merrett,

Snelling, Wright, Draper, Parish

Umpires: Findlay, O’Gorman, Williamson

PITMAN’S VOTES

3. Tom Mitchell

2. Andrew McGrath

1. Jaeger O’Meara

KFC SUPERCOACH ROOKIE REPORTED

– Mark McGowan

Baby Bomber Nik Cox is on report for a clumsy high hit on Hawthorn forward Oliver Hanrahan late in the second quarter of their Saturday night clash.

The 200cm debutant attempted to bump Hanrahan as he hunted the Sherrin at ground level in the middle of Marvel Stadium, but collected the Hawk with his elbow running from the other direction.

Hanrahan was unhurt and capitalised on a 50m penalty to kick a much-needed goal for Hawthorn, after Essendon kicked seven straight majors to begin the second term.

Experienced Hawk Jon Ceglar went straight to Cox to remonstrate as a group of players formed, but any threat of a melee dissipated quickly as play continued.

Cox is one of five newcomers at the Bombers, including Nick Hind, Peter Wright, Jye Caldwell and Harrison Jones.

Essendon coach Ben Rutten is also overseeing what is officially his first match in charge, after technically sharing the duties with John Worsfold last season.

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