First Semi-Final
Friday, September 14, 7.50pm
Hawthorn v Melbourne, MCG
First quarter: Hawthorn 3.1 (19) to Melbourne 3.1 (19)
It was a tense, tight opening term.
Hawthorn landed the first for the night via Ryan
Schoenmakers had the chance to secure his second for the Hawks just before time-on, but his shot for goal went on the full. But when James Worpel got the Hawks’ second, the scores were level.
Christian Petracca kicked truly to put the Demons back in front, but when Hawk Jack Gunston gained a free kick and converted, both sides were locked on 3.1 at quarter-time.
Hawthorn had some
Second quarter: Melbourne 6.2 (38) to Hawthorn 3.7 (25)
Melbourne started the second term in
The Demons led by 12 points at the 10-minute mark, before the Hawks started peppering their forward 50.
But the brown and gold squandered opportunities, booting four successive behinds. And when Angus Brayshaw made it three in a row for Melbourne, the red and blue
Jack Gunston had the chance to kick Hawthorn’s only major for the term after the siren, but his shot from a tight angle in the pocket, at the Great Southern Stand end, missed for a behind. At half-time, Melbourne led by 13 points.
Jack Viney had 13 touches for the Demons by the long change, as Hawk Ricky Henderson had the most by the main break with 14 disposals.
Third quarter: Melbourne 12.5 (77) to Hawthorn 6.9 (45)
Melbourne got just the start it wanted in the second half when Weideman kicked his second, just 48 seconds in.
From there it became a goal-for-goal affair for much of the quarter.
But when Alex Neal-Bullen, Mitch Hannan and Brayshaw kicked the last three goals before
Entering the final stanza, the Demons led by 32 points.
T.McDonald notched up his third major during the term, while Brayshaw had two to his name and Charlie Spargo opened his account.
Final quarter: Melbourne 16.8 (104) d Hawthorn 10.11 (71)
With Melbourne leading by more than five goals at the start of the last term, it would take a mighty effort by the Hawks if they were to come back.
And the brown and gold got off to a flyer, kicking the opening three goals to reduce the margin back to 12 points at the 11-minute mark.
But when Jake Melksham answered with a beauty on the run, it was the start of three in a row by the Demons – and in the process, a trip to Perth to take on the West Coast Eagles in the second preliminary final at Optus Stadium next Saturday was locked in. T.McDonald slotted through his fourth during this period and when Melksham got his second, the Dees were back in front by 32 points.
