Juddy might have been right about Cyril
When a dual Brownlow medallist speaks you listen. Chris Judd named Cyril Rioli the best player on Hawthorn's list during the week, and after another brilliant performance against the Swans, it's hard to argue with the call. Last year's Norm Smith medallist took a screamer, and showed off his roving prowess with a sensational goal in the second quarter, but saved his best for last. The dual All Australian calmly slotted the winner in the dying minutes with a bomb from outside 50 to break the hearts of the Swans, and helped his side move two games clear on top spot of the ladder … not a bad way to celebrate his 27th birthday.
Who won the Mitchell Cup?
Swans coach John Longmire used midfielder Tom Mitchell to go with Hawthorn champ Sam Mitchell after he kept the veteran quiet last time these teams met in round nine. The pair had another fierce battle at the SCG in the first half, but it was the star Hawk who proved too good as the game wore on. He had 19 possessions before half-time and piled on 11 in the third term, forcing Longmire to abandon the plan in the last quarter. The Hawk finished with a match-high 37 disposals and eight clearances, and while his Swans opponent for most of the night picked up 34 of his own, Sam Mitchell hurt the home side far more throughout the night, and was a major factor in their last-gasp win.
Whitecross back in town
The unlucky midfielder played his first game since round six last year and while he wasn't a match-winner, Whitecross played his role. The 26-year-old missed all three of the Hawks' flags because of knee reconstructions in 2013 and 2014, and couldn't fight his way into the best 22 for the 2015 premiership, so no doubt his teammates would have loved having him out there. With Liam Shiels out for a month with a hamstring injury, Whitecross could get his a chance to consolidate his spot in Alastair Clarkson's side, and with the Hawks on top of the ladder and heading towards another top two finish, he might finally get a taste of the ultimate success.
Rohan saves his cameos for the Hawks
The speedster overcame hamstring issues and a stint on the long-term injury list to boot three of his side's 10 goals in his first game of the season against Hawthorn in round nine, as the Swans won a tight one by 14 points. Rohan again showed his liking for taking on the premiers with another standout performance on Thursday night, and his four goals out of 10 in another low scoring game were just about worth double. Rohan even went back late in the last term and took a strong mark deep inside 50, but his efforts meant very little in the end when the Swans lost a thriller.
Is Heeney being prepped for the run home?
The Swans youngster played the first 14 games of the season before being 'managed' last week against Geelong, and was again left out of the Hawks clash. Heeney will instead play against Gold Coast in the NEAFL this weekend, apparently all part of the plan to ease his workload. He's a future star of the competition but the footy world sometimes forget that he's only just turned 20, and is coming off a slightly limited pre-season due to knee tendonitis. Anyone around the Blacktown area might want to drop in to watch the reserves, with Suns jet Jaeger O'Meara also set to take the field on Saturday.
