Source : the age
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This is the missed trip that cost Melbourne the half-time lead against Hawthorn at the MCG.
Damaging Demons forward Kysaiah Pickett was blatantly brought down in the goal square during a tight second term, but the umpires allowed play to continue as Hawthorn held on to a one-point lead at the long break.
It is not the first time the umpires have been blind to the obvious this week, copping criticism on Thursday night for not seeing Collingwood’s Lachie Schultz suffer a concussion and stopping play.
Usually unflappable, Gerard Whateley was incredulous on SEN at that decision. “How can you miss that?,” he screams. “There’s four of them, four of them! Sack em all.”
The Demons have served it up to the higher-ranked Hawks in this match, but have wasted opportunities in front of goal to trail 5.5 (35) to 4.10 (34).
Melbourne lead the possession count 189 to 17, the inside-50 count 27 to 19 and are way ahead in the free-kicks 16 to 9. Their leading possession winners are Christian Petracca with 16 and Caleb Windsor with 14, while the returning Clayton Oliver has been quiet with six.
The Hawks have made the most of their limited forward forays. Opportunist Nick Watson has two goals, while James Worpel tops the game’s disposal count with 18 (four kicks and 14 handballs).
Hawthorn have unleased a last-quarter blitz to beat Melbourne by 35 points at the MCG.
Jack Dunston was the hero in the final term with three goals for the Hawks.
No late for Dons v Swans. Dylan Shiel (Dons) and Angus Sheldrick (Swans) will start as the subs.
First bounce is set for 4.15pm AEST.
The Hawks are home. They have booted six goals to Melbourne’s one in this last quarter and have taken a 32-point lead.
A second Mabior Chol goal of the quarter makes it tough for the brave Demons at the MCG.
The Hawks 11.10 (76) lead the Demons 7.14 (56) with five minutes remaining.
Some Kysaiah Pickett brilliance has kept Melbourne’s hopes alive.
He took a handball in the centre square, arched his back to evade a Hawthorn tackle and then took two bounces at full burst before nailing a goal from the 50m arc.
They still trail by 13 points.
The Hawks had made their move in this last term with three goals in eight minutes to Jack Gunston (twice) and Mabior Chol, taking a 19-point lead.
But Pickett has kept the Dees in the match.
Back to back goals from Jack Gunston is making it harder for Melbourne.
The Hawks led by a point at three-quarter time and have now stretched that out to 13 points after Gunston kicks two straight.
Hawks 9.9 (63) lead Demons 6.14 (50) with 12 minutes remaining.
A Jack Gunston goal has enabled Hawthorn to hit the front.
Nick Watson roved a pack deep in Hawthorn’s forward line, collected the ball and dished off to Gunston who ran into an open goal.
Soon after Dylan Moore had a shot on the big sticks but pulled his shot for a behind.
Hawks 8.9 (57) lead the Demons 6.14 (50) with 13 minutes remaining
Max Gawn has taken a big grab but missed the shot on goal. The scores are now level at 50 apiece.
It’s three-quarter time at the MCG, and the Demons are in this right up to their eyeballs.
The margin is just one point but the Dees arguably should have a lead of two to three goals.
They have dominated Hawthorn at stoppage and clearance but wasted plenty of chances in front of goal, though they improved their efficiency in the third quarter.
The Hawks look flat, unable to generate any run because of the Dees’ dominance at stoppage and commitment to defence.
They need more from Jai Newcombe, who has had just 14 disposals, and Mabior Chol, who is having a dirty afternoon.
Sam Mitchell still has his break glass in case of emergency move of moving James Sicily forward.
As I said at half-time, the Dees need to maintain their vigour at clearance. At some stage, through weight of numbers, they will break the Hawks – if they can clean up their kicking for goal. A big last quarter looms.
3QT: Hawks 6.8 (50) lead the Demons 6.13 (49)
Jack Ginnivan has bobbed up with a crucial goal in the third quarter to hand Hawthorn back the lead.
He marked on the lead about 30m from goal and rarely misses from such close range.
The Demons have subbed off Koltyn Tholstrup and brought in Matt Jefferson. It was a tactical sub.
Hawks 50 lead Demons 49 with two minutes until three-quarter time.
