HAWTHORN has posted its sixth-straight victory after overcoming persistent inaccuracy to beat Richmond by 12 points at the MCG on Sunday evening.
The usually-polished Hawks shrugged off kicking yips and a late Richmond charge to win 14.22 (106) to 15.4 (94), in a performance that was plagued by errors and wayward kicking around goal.
All three of the Hawks' premier goal-kickers struggled with conversion with Lance 'Buddy' Franklin ending with 1.7, Mark Williams 2.3, and Jarryd Roughead - eventual match-winner - with 5.3.
Their collective inability to find the big sticks meant the Tigers were within reach throughout the entire match. The yellow and black even hit the front in the third term, and were within a kick three times in the final stanza after the Hawks failed to close out the game.
But, Roughead rediscovered his kicking boots late in the final term, and slotted the six-pointer that blew the margin out to an unbeatable two goals.
Ultimately, it was the Hawks' tenacity at ground level with Luke Hodge (31 disposals) putting in a classy performance and Shane Crawford (25) working hard, that won them the match.
Young forward Cyril Rioli (two goals) was exciting in attack, and along with Michael Osborne (two goals), became unexpected heroes as the big guns failed to find the air between the big posts on a consistent basis.
The Hawks looked the goods in the first term, although their inaccuracy was at its worst early on as they missed three sitters in the opening five minutes.
They briefly got their act together, and with the help of Rioli's precise and steady hands, 'Buddy' booted his only goal shortly after the emerging forward found him waiting in the goal-square.
The goal was followed up by majors to Williams and Roughead, and when 'Buddy' guided a set shot from outside 50 between the little sticks for a solitary point, the margin became its biggest for the match - 22 points - just 13 minutes in.
But the Tigers fought back, and with Nathan Brown working hard up forward and Matthew Richardson and Graham Polak rotating between full forward and the wing, the difference was clawed back to six points in time for the first break.
A shockingly low-scoring second quarter followed, where the Hawks' inaccuracy hurt them dearly. They kicked 2.5 to Richmond's 2.0, and errors marred the term with the Hawks wasting 27 to 16 forward entries to hold just an 11-point lead at the long break.
Hawthorn's lack of precision around goal came back to haunt them in the third. The Tigers charged, and having not assembled a convincing lead while continuing to kick inaccurately, the Hawks saw Richmond hit the front for the first time since the opening minute.
Richmond's Nathan Brown had a cracking third term, while 'Buddy' booted just two behinds for the quarter. The Hawks did however claim a highlight with Rioli's clever bouncing kick from the boundary line sure to be a contender for Goal of the Year.
The Hawks led by eight points heading into the deciding term after snatching back the advantage in time on. The Tigers then threw down the challenge early with Richardson goaling within 30 seconds of the final stanza, and the match came alive.
Another three opportunities went begging for the Hawks as shots on goal sailed sideways, but majors to Rioli and a pair to Roughead nullified Richmond goals to Richardson and Mitch Morton, and the Hawks were home.
Hawthorn will return to the MCG next Saturday afternoon to meet Collingwood in what looms as a blockbuster encounter.
Hawthorn 4.7 6.12 10.18 14.22 (106)
Richmond 4.1 6.1 11.4 15.4 (94)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Roughead 5, Williams 2, Osborne 2, Rioli 2, Young, Franklin, McGlynn
Richmond: Richardson 4, Brown 3, Morton 2, Deledio, Riewoldt, Johnson, Tuck, Tambling, Schulz
BEST
Hawthorn: Hodge, Roughead, Osborne, Crawford, Mitchell, Rioli
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McBurney, Stewart, Jeffery
Official crowd: 46,076 at the MCG
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
