Hawthorn defeat depleted Geelong in pre-season match in Dingley

injuries

Brisbane: Linebacker Ryan Lester entered concussion protocols after taking a blow to the head while trying to make a tackle in the second period. Lester appeared dazed immediately after the incident and was also clutching his jaw. He did not return to the field.

Carlton: Midfielder Adam Cerra will miss the start of the home and away season with a hamstring injury in the third quarter. Cerra, who has a long history of hamstring strain, left the field after cautiously exiting the midfield contest. “[He’ll] “We’ll be doing scans in the coming days to assess the severity of the hamstring,” Blues assistant coach Josh Fraser said. “We won’t know much more until then. It appears to be a hamstring injury. Having been through this before with his professionalism, we know he’ll be back as quickly as he can.”

Unavailable

Brisbane: Charlie Cameron*, Hugh McCluggage*, Sam Draper, Tom Doedee, Logan Morris, Cam Rayner, Luke Beecken, Luke Lloyd, Koby Evans, Henry Smith, James Tunstill, Eric Hipwood, Reece Torrent, Ben Murphy, Jack Payne, Tai Hayes, Noah Answerth.

Carlton: Patrick Cripps*, Jacob Weitering*, Lachie Cowan, Blake Acres, Lucas Camporeale, Harry O’Farrell, Nic Newman, Nick Haynes, Harry Charleson, Jack Ison, Matt Carroll, Rob Monaghan, Matt Duffy, Francis Evans, Flynn Young, Matt Cottrell.

(*Played on Origin on Saturday)

What the coaches said: Brisbane assistant coach Dale Morris said the Lions had achieved their goal of giving players time while trialling their squad. Morris said former West Coast skipper Oscar Allen would benefit from his debut in Lions colours. He scored an early goal but otherwise saw little of the ball against Lewis Young. “I thought he performed well, competed really well,” Morris said. “These games are about his connection with the other forwards, the midfield, them learning his leadership patterns and him learning them too. [about] Where do the guys on the field kick, how do they turn and move. He will gain a lot from this game.”

Fraser said Ainsworth and Will Hayward had given the Blues’ forward line a new look. “I think we became quite dynamic in the front half,” said Fraser. “When you bring in players like Ainsworth, Hayward, even the pre-existing types [Lachie] Fogarty and [Brodie] Kemp, they give you a different look at 50. It was important that we found different ways to score. We haven’t been able to connect on every play, but we’re exploring what that looks like. He gave us very good feedback tonight. “We’re starting to build some depth in the front half in the final quarter to introduce Talor Byrne and get him to score some goals, but really what we’re after is our overall ball movement.”

Decision: Brisbane created excitement by dominating the midfield in the first quarter and quickly moving the ball to the front line. Kai Lohmann and Zac Bailey were particularly dangerous early on. The Lions fielded a less experienced team in the second half, when the Blues were at their best.

The Blues were more creative with their ball movement than last year. At one point in the game, they won the ball from a 50-point defensive standstill and zig-zagged down the pitch with a series of clean positions with their hands and feet, culminating in a goal from the impressive Ainsworth. Their forward line looks more dynamic with more mid-sized forwards who can find space at ground level, mark and create pressure. Scoring 15 goals without Harry McKay’s contribution in their first game since Curnow’s departure only adds to the confidence in Voss’ plan, although tougher tests are expected at a dress rehearsal next week before the real stuff begins in a fortnight.

Hawthorn and Geelong

Kennedy Community Centre, Dingley
Hawthorn 16.15 (111) d Geelong 14.10 (94)
-Jon Pierik

match

The Hawks were held goalless in the first term, conceding three goals, but then put out 11 of their next 13 games to take control on a day when temperatures soared into the mid-30s in Melbourne. In front of a raucous crowd at their new base in Dingley, it was an impressive effort from the Hawks, but it was largely expected as the Cats lost almost half of their grand final squad.

The Hawks ended their goal drought when Dylan Moore successfully scored in the ninth minute of the second period. Despite the Cats enjoying moments of excellent ball movement down the central flank, the contest was over after that.

Now: Hawks fans were on their feet as Connor Nash drilled a superb one-step shot from just inside the 50 with 11 minutes left in the second period. The tall Irishman is known for his defensive skills, but his sense of goal is also highly developed.

Attractive: Uncapped Cat Joe Polkinghorne scored three goals, his sticky hands highlighted. He impressed club officials throughout the summer and claimed a third big offensive lead with 50 points. James Worpel was right at home in his new basketball game as a Cat. Worpel is a former Hawks best and fairest and played 148 games for the brown and gold. Judging by his form on Monday, he will fit in perfectly in the Cats’ midfield.

Cats’ new star Ollie Dempsey, who made his reputation on the wing, spent most of the game as an inside midfielder. Young midfielder Jhye Clark continued to make excellent progress. Shannon Neale was a man in front of goal. There were also encouraging signs in the race, which was shared by Sam De Koning, Mitch Edwards and Joe Pike, with veteran Rhys Stanley missing.

For the Hawks, former North Melbourne defender Flynn Perez and VFL star Jack Riding have done their best to earn the remaining two roster spots ahead of the March 2 deadline (if the Hawks choose to fill both spots). Riding’s strong work in tight areas was impressive; Perez, on the other hand, made 24 senior appearances and performed solidly in defence, converting a 50-metre set-piece into a free kick in the second term.

Considering just the first half, captain James Sicily showed good movement and suffered shoulder and groin/hip injuries that limited his impact last year. Josh Weddle, who is likely to spend more time on the wing throughout the season, spent most of his time in defence. There is always a buzz when Nick Watson has the ball or approaches the ball. Midfielder Josh Ward was a standout player and is set to replace Worpel. Jarman Impey, wearing Will Day’s number 12 guernsey, provided the half-time breakthrough.

injuries

: Tanner Bruhn (illness) was a late setback. Brad Close had a heavy collision with Karl Amon but came back.