Hawks' epic fightback against Giants amid blow; 'athleticism ...

Hawthorn can continue its shock charge into finals contention if it adds GWS to its growing list of scalps this afternoon.

The Hawks (5-7, 86.7%) have won four of their past five games, most notably knocking off the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane, surging from an 0-5 start into 12th on the ladder entering the weekend.

The Giants (7-4, 114.6%) in contrast have lost three of their past four, but snapped their losing streak last time out by beating Geelong in Geelong, with hopes they’ve rediscovered the early-season form that made them flag favourites.

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SEN’s Sam Edmund reports Hawthorn faces “plane drama” on the eve of the game, with Hawks general manager of footy operations Max Bailey, the club runner and doctor, stuck on the Hobart airport tarmac due to heavy fog in the city.

GAME UPDATES

There were no late changes, with Luke Breust (Hawthorn) and Toby McMullin (GWS) named the starting subs.

Lachie Whitfield set up a Giants early attacking entry with a lightning run, with Hawks legend Dermott Brereton noting on Fox Footy: “If you let him run, he will hurt you.”

Both teams, namely Hawthorn, missed several chances to hit the scoreboard in a scrappy first 10 minutes.

The Giants finally put one through the big sticks nearly halfway through the opening term after an opportunistic Xavier O’Halloran snap.

Mabior Chol finally stepped up for the home side with a huge hanger in a contest against Leek Aleer to kick the Hawks’ first goal of the day.

“Athleticism personified!,” Fox Footy caller Kelli Underwood exclaimed.

Toby Greene came from the ground with a bloodied head after copping an accidental elbow from Sam Frost.

GWS got the last laugh of the first quarter after an epic Sam Taylor chase down tackle on Jack Ginnivan led to a slingshot play –and Jesse Hogan goal.

The Giants led 2.1 (13) to 1.3 (9) at the first change.

It remained ultra competitive in the second term as neither side gave an inch.

Jack Gunston kicked the opening of the term to get the hosts within two points.

But GWS hit back with the next two goals to Aaron Cadman to open up a 14-point lead.

“The Giants traded up to get him Pick 1 and he’s starting to show why!,” Fox Footy caller Dwayne Russell exclaimed.

Sam Taylor took a big intercept mark in defensive 50 late in the second quarter, with Saints legend Nick Dal Santo praising the Giants’ recently re-signed star defender.

“Go Go Gadget arms, just when it looks like he’s out of position and might finally get beaten in a one-on-one, the extension,” Dal Santo said.

The Giants led 6.2 (38) to 2.7 (19) at the main break.

Changkuoth Jiath kicked the opening goal of the third term – his first goal of the season and third of his career – before following with a Kylian Mbappé-inpsired celebration.

The Hawks kept pushing in the third quarter including Jack Gunston kicking two goals to get his side back within nine points.

In a blow to Hawthorn, Ned Reeves was subbed out of the game in the third quarter with a back issue. It left Sam Mitchell’s side without a pure ruckman after Reeves replaced the injured Lloyd Meek last week.

The Hawks capitalised on a costly Giants turnover late in the term to continue their charge before Chol kicked his second goal nearly directly after to give the host their first lead since the first quarter.

Hawthorn led 8.9 (57) to 8.6 (54) at three-quarter time.

Josh Weddle drifted forward to kick the opening goal of the final term to extend Hawthorn’s lead. The Hawks had kicked seven of the last nine goals.

It was goal for goal in a thrilling final term – Xavier O’Halloran responded with the next two majors to give GWS the lead before Luke Breust added one at the other end to make it a four-point Hawks advantage.

It appeared Weddle had kicked another goal on the run, but a score review found it was accidentally touched on the goalline by a teammate.

The match got underway at 1:45pm from UTAS Stadium.

Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504), streaming on Kayo, or via Hubbl from 1:30pm.

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