Losses in both the AFL and VFL weren't ideal, but here are five things we liked about the action over the long weekend.
1. THE HAWKINS-CLARK MAN HUG
Midway through the first quarter, with the Hawks leading by seven point, Steven Motlop found Tom Hawkins with a beautifully weighted kick. Hawkins then broke away from his opponent, Ben Stratton, and chipped a pass to Mitch Clark, who had run into the goalsquare on his own. Clark kicked the goal, then he and Hawkins embraced like siblings who hadn't seen each other for a decade. Clark finished the game with three goals, while Hawkins ended up with two.
Read the match report
2. THE FORM OF MARK BLICAVS DOWN BACK
Having spent the pre-season training to be a key defender, Blicavs was put to the test against Hawthorn's very dangerous forward line. He began minding the resting ruckman, and he showed plenty of poise and courage as the Hawks put him and his fellow defenders under the pump. Blicavs even pushed forward at times and created some attacking opportunities for his team. After spending quite a bit of time in the ruck during the second half, he finished with 18 disposals, five tackles, eight hit-outs and four clearances.
Read a summary of Chris Scott’s press conference
3. STEVE JOHNSON'S TIRELESS EFFORT
The man known as Stevie J was brilliant during the early stages of the game, pin-pointing passes with his right and left feet and setting up a goal for Mitch Clark and a shot for debutant Nakia Cockatoo. Johnson was also in the thick of the tough stuff, tangling with numerous Hawks and ending up on report after flattening Sam Mitchell in the second quarter. The 31-year-old ended the game with 27 disposals, three tackles and three clearances.
4. THE BALL-MAGNETS IN THE VFL
Sam Blease, George Horlin-Smith and Dean Gore were outstanding performers in the VFL Cats' 45-point loss to Footscray on Saturday. Blease tallied 29 disposals and nine clearances, Horlin-Smith racked up 28 touches, 10 tackles and five clearances and Gore finished with 24 disposals and a goal. All three are in contention to play Fremantle at Simonds Stadium on Sunday.
5. HAMISH McINTOSH PUTS HIS HAND UP
The big ruckman was perhaps a tad unlucky to miss out on a berth in the AFL team that lost to Hawthorn, but he didn't let that get him down. Instead, he went out and produced another impressive performance in the VFL, tallying 15 disposals, 28 hit-outs, six clearances and a goal. Given Dawson Simpson battled to have a major impact against the Hawks, McIntosh will be strongly considered for the clash with the Dockers, who boast some impressive tall timber, including Aaron Sandilands and Zac Clarke.
