Hawthorn Hawks mount a massive comeback but still lose in Launceston to Max Gawn and the Melbourne Demons
The record books were twice being hurriedly reviewed in Launceston as Hawthorn followed up one of the most fearsome first halves in recent memory with a fightback that defied logic or precedent.
The Hawks fell into a disastrous 96-point hole midway through the third quarter and then scored 12 goals to lead within 23 points.
In the end, they were denied due to a combination of game clock and a terrible first half.
Max Gawn, Jacob van Rooyen and Changkuoth Jiath dominated Hawthorn in their most lopsided first half of the season.
Bayley Fritsch’s fourth goal at the halftime siren moved the scoreboard from 13.8 to 1.3 at UTAS Stadium. This is not a printing error.
Hawthorn, seeking a 12th consecutive win in Launceston (Melbourne’s first time playing there), were a ragtag team.
The Hawks were missing some key players in Nick Watson, Karl Amon and Ned Reeves, compounded by the withdrawal of Josh Battle (appendicitis). But that doesn’t excuse their complete lack of fight, lack of skill, or lack of spirit; The Dees treat them with utter disdain, as complete pushovers.
A rare century-plus was clear when Latrelle Pickett converted the free kick in the third term to make it 16.9 to 2.3.
From this point the tide turned dramatically. Mabior Chol scored four goals from late in the third term, while Jake Ginnivan, who was out in the first half, came alive.
Debutant Noah Mraz was a bright spark in the defeat, scoring a game-high six points for the Hawks.
Chol’s fourth goal made it a 24-point game before Ginnivan missed a relative sitter later on. If he had converted, it would have been a 3-goal lead with 2:25 left. This is the game on everyone’s lips.
Finally Fritsch placed fifth, ending the frenzy and the Dees drought.
The record books will show Melbourne’s seemingly routine 35-point victory. It’s quite conceivable that they could display almost anything else.
Essendon’s record for the greatest comeback in VFL/AFL history (69 points against North Melbourne in 2001) remains intact.
More to come
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