Hawthorn have soared through to the semi-finals of the NAB Cup after beating Carlton by a convincing 34 points at the Telstra Dome tonight. Hawthorn came out will all guns blazing and dominated all over the ground but more importantly on the scoreboard. The quarter time score showed a 54 point lead to the Hawks but that wasn’t enough for the hungry Hawk players. Midway through the second quarter the Hawthorn lead extended to a massive 69 points, from then on in Carlton were playing catchup.
The Hawthorn dominance was simply to good for the inexperienced Blues, the speed and skill showed when clearing the ball and spearing it to their forwards appeared unstoppable late in the first quarter. Carlton were struggling to hold onto the ball and although they were leading in disposals early on they were coughing it up and constantly putting team mates under pressure.
Hawthorn appeared to take the foot off the accelerator in the second half resting key players on the bench. Young gun Lance Franklin appeared to be one of them after not taking the field in the second half but after the game he walked off the ground with a slight limp.
Carlton fought back in the second half and bought the margin withing reach during the 3rd quarter but couldn’t keep the momentum flowing. Richard Hadley who was a part of a trade last year made his debut for Carlton and made a solid contribution to the side although having 4 clangers against his name.
Cyril Rioli added a spark to the game with his pace and tackling also kicked a goal in their outstanding first quarter. Zac Dawson who has been criticized as a defender in the past played well although Fevla had chances to put his foot in the game.
Well known for being the Hawks tough man, Campbell Brown may be looking at time on the sidelines. Brown was reported in the final quarter for charging Matthew Kruezer. Josh Kennedy was also reported on two occasions against Marc Murphy. Kade Simpson and Lance Franklin were both reported for wrestling in the second quarter.
After not scoring any regulation 6-point goals in the first half the second half was much more positive for the Blues with a more free flowing game style. Nick Stevens was back to his previous form after missing the majority of the 2007 home and away season. Bryce Gibbs also played one of his better games since he joined the Blues after being picked up with the #1 pick in the 2006 National Draft, last years #1 pick Matthew Kruezer also played well for the Blues.
Hawthorn 2.6.3 3.7.8 4.7.10 4.9.13 (103)
Carlton 0.0.3 2.0.7 3.3.9 4.3.15 (69)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Supergoals: Birchall, Franklin, Boyle, Lewis. Goals: Hodge 2, Lewis, Campbell, Rioli, Clarke, Boyle, Murphy, Brown.
Carlton: Supergoals: Wiggins, Grigg, Cloke, Stevens. Goals: Hadley, Fevola, Waite
BEST:
Hawthorn: Clarke, Hodge, Lewis, Young, Mitchell, Rioli, Osborne
Carlton: Stevens, Murphy, Scotland, Carrazzo, Gibbs, Simpson, Waite
INJURIES:
Hawthorn: Nil
Carlton: Nil
Reports: Kennedy (Hawthorn) reported by umpire Wenn for charging Murphy (Carlton) in the fourth term
Brown (Hawthorn) reported by umpire McBurney for charging Kreuzer (Carlton) in the fourth quarter
Kennedy (Hawthorn) reported by umpire Wenn for making forceful contact to Murphy (Carlton) in the fourth quarter
Franklin (Hawthorn) reported by umpire Wenn for wrestling Simpson (Carlton) in the second quarter
Simpson (Carlton) reported by umpire Wenn for wrestling Franklin (Hawthorn) in the second quarter
Umpires: Wenn, McBurney, Statham, Bowen
Official crowd: 20,940 at Telstra Dome
