Hawthorn has extended its lead on the competition, holding off the Sydney Swans by five points in an epic tussle at the SCG on Thursday night.
A 52m goal to Cyril Rioli with 77 seconds remaining put the Hawks ahead for the final time, hanging on for the desperate 11.9 (75) to 10.10 (70) win.
It followed a see-sawing encounter in which the lead changed nine times and neither side was able to hold sway long enough to gain a decisive lead.
The fourth quarter of the heavyweight contest continued that pattern becoming a titanic struggle which left the crowd of 42,314 fan enthralled.
The Swans had led by five points at three-quarter-time, but Shaun Burgoyne’s 250th career goal, two minutes in, put Hawthorn up. The Swans’ midfield giant Luke Parker, who had 35 possessions, then put the Swans back in front.
The Swans lost Zak Jones to a leg injury and then lost the lead again when Jonathon Ceglar converted a 50 metre penalty against Ben McGlynn. Small forward Tom Papley’s one-on-one win over Luke Hodge to score his second put Sydney ahead. The crowd was punch drunk as the sides traded blows.
Two behinds to the Swans saw the home side to a seven-point lead, but Burgoyne’s second goal took the Hawks to within a point with three minutes remaining.
As the half-hour mark ticked over, Rioli took a mark and slotted home a 52m set shot from a tight angle to break Swans fans’ hearts.
In a game that lived up to its lofty expectations, Sam Mitchell stood tall with a game-high 37 touches, ahead of seven teammates who all registered more than 20. Burgoyne, Rioli and Jack Gunston each kicked two goals.
The Swans’ scoreboard pressure came primarily from speedster Gary Rohan, who kicked a career-high four goals. Tom Papley scored two. Lance Franklin went goalless but had 19 touches in a lively display around half-forward.
The Hawks lost the inside 50 count 54 to 49 and contested possession by nearly 40, but made the most of their chances throughout a torrid encounter to ensure their 13th win of the season and continue their unbeaten run, which stretches back to round nine, when they lost to the Swans at the MCG.
SYDNEY SWANS 4.4 4.5 8.6 10.10 (70)
HAWTHORN 3.1 6.4 7.7 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Rohan 4, Papley 2, Towers, Kennedy, Sinclair, Parker
Hawthorn: Rioli 2, Gunston 2, Burgoyne 2, Lewis, Hill, Puopolo, O'Rourke, Ceglar
BEST
Sydney Swans: Parker, Rohan, Kennedy, Grundy, Mills, Mitchell
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Burgoyne, Rioli, Lewis, Gibson, Hill
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Jones (leg)
Hawthorn: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Farmer, Ryan
Official crowd: 42,314 at the SCG
