In a heated game at the MCG, tempers boiled over on the Hawthorn sideline as Hawks head coach Sam Mitchell exploded. It broke out after one of their biggest losses ever to Brisbane. The terrible incident transpired only 30 seconds into the last quarter. When Cam Rayner kicked that goal, it was enough to get prefabricated boot-thrower Mitchell to destroy the advertising board behind him in anger. This emotional outburst served to underscore the escalating pressure on Hawthorn, who now find themselves on the brink of a fourth loss of the season.
Prior to the incident happening, Mitchell was in high spirits and could be seen discussing strategy with player Josh Weddle at the three-quarter time huddle. That feeling fizzled as the mood turned the other way once Brisbane roared to a commanding lead. The match showcased Brisbane’s formidable combination of Lachie Neale and Will Ashcroft, who executed their plays with precision, contributing significantly to their team’s success.
His opponent, Hawthorn’s Connor Macdonald, got things going for his side by booting three first-half majors. His talent and work ethic lit up the gridiron. This year, it was Weddle’s raw athleticism that impressed, as he showcased a truly insane ability to complete three bounces during an immensely important stretch of the game. Even with these efforts, Hawthorn couldn’t quite get enough going to stem the tide of Brisbane’s constant pressure attack.
The Lions gained control of the game in the final minutes of the second quarter. And boy did Charlie Cameron electrify the crowd with a hat trick in three minutes! This surge not only shifted the game’s momentum but underscored Brisbane’s offensive prowess. Jack Payne proved pivotal for Brisbane, taking a comfortable mark in the goalsquare to thwart several of Hawthorn’s attempts to gain ground.
Callum Ah Chee was bright on the field, kicking four impressive goals. What was more telltale of his rookie dominance was how he neutralized Hawthorn’s James Sicily, the league’s premier intercepting defender. The mix of Ah Chee’s offensive thrust and Brisbane’s staunch defensive tactics proved a winning combination to take the game in the end.
With the win, Brisbane jumped to the top of the ladder. They stretched their remarkable streak at the MCG, now having won five of their last six contests there. Hawthorn’s shocking performance, a dismaying 113-point loss to their arch-rival, their most disappointing ever, puts them in the most dire of predicaments. They would drop as low as sixth in the overall standings following this loss.
As Sam Mitchell gave postgame remarks on the loss, his ire showed just how penultimate the stakes have become when it comes to coaching on this level. The damage done to the advertising board summed up his feelings in one poetic shot. It expressed the radical changes that were needed within the Hawthorn squad.
