Yet the young Hawks,with 10 players with less than 35 matches,provided an intensity and game plan that shook a Demons’ side many believe can seize a breakthrough premiership.
The Demons led by a goal until a clever handball from Dylan Moore found Luke Breust who snapped successfully with 43 seconds remaining to lock the scores on 79 points apiece. Neither side had another shot at goal from the resultant centre bounce,ensuring the second draw of the season.
“I haven’t had too many flatter atmospheres. It was weird,no question. Home game. No crowd. Our supporters and fans give us so much,” Demons coach Simon Goodwin said.
“With a drawn game that made it flatter at the end. I’m not going to take anything away from Hawthorn. They were sensational. They came to play. They’re coming off a poor result last week. I thought they took it up to us. A lot of numbers look OK for us. I don’t think that tells a story about the game. I thought the game told a story they were hungrier and worked harder than us.”
Midfield bull Clayton Oliver (34) surely polled more Brownlow Medal votes,while Christian Petracca (33) had another influential evening. Viney (32) was typically robust,Charlie Spargo provided the polish,while Bayley Fritsch (three goals) was the Demons’ most dominant forward.
However the Hawks,keen to hunt the ball and tackle ferociously,stymied their opponents by changing the angles and not allowing the Demons to generate their typical run from intercept marks across half-back.