Two in the brown and gold epitomised the fact it was their side’s day. For years Liam Shiels flew under the radar as one of the lower-profile triple-premiership players of the Clarkson era,but in his 200th game the midfielder showed why he has been an automatic selection for most of the last 10 years,besting Cats star Patrick Dangerfield at the coal face and kicking two important goals. Meanwhile Tim O’Brien,again swung forward in recent weeks,produced perhaps the most memorable display of his seven-year career,kicking three goals and taking a couple of hangers.
THREE STRIKES
Those who believe inaccuracy in front of goal is contagious should cut up a three minute period late in the third quarter and save it for posterity. With the Hawks having again broken out to a 23-point lead,the Cats skipper smothered an attempted centre clearance from Shiels,and sent the ball long to Esava Ratugolea,who took a strong mark. But the young Cats forward tugged a regulation set shot. A moment later Rhys Stanley had a chance,but he too missed a sitter. From the ensuing kick-in,Shaun Burgoyne showed that he’s human by turning it over to Gryan Miers. You guessed what happened next,with Miers spraying a chance from 15 metres out. Zach Tuohy then missed a snap in the dying moments of the quarter before Selwood wasted yet another chance little over a minute into the final term. It took Tom Hawkins - celebrating his 31st birthday - to finally end the Cats’ run of five straight behinds,slotting a major which cut the margin to just 12 points.
THAT'S JARRING
Jarman Impey had been enjoying a strong second season at the Hawks,but his campaign may have ended suddenly. Impey flew for a mark in front of Cat Tom Atkins on the Great Southern Stand side,and took the grab,but landed awkwardly on his right leg after receiving some minor contact in the back from Atkins. Impey went down in a heap,with replays showing that he appeared to have hyper-extended his right knee. Former Collingwood and St Kilda star Luke Ball summed up the prevailing sentiment pretty well on ABC radio. Having seen footage of the incident,he simply uttered the word “shit”. A stretcher was called,although the former Port Adelaide player eventually got to his feet,and managed to be helped off with the assistance of Hawks trainers. Impey took no further part in the game and was set for scans. Hawthorn had already lost veteran Grant Birchall to soreness before the game. The four-time premiership defender was replaced by Daniel Howe.