AFL star Tim O’Brien, MCG brand of the year contender

With his team down three points midway through the second term, Hawks midfielder Chad Wingard kicked deep inside forward 50.

There was no shortage of orange and charcoal jerseys, but it was O’Brien who soared through the air in pursuit of the footballer, knocking down teammate Luke Breust as he scored a mark for the ages.

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“What a note! … It’s a nice catch, isn’t it, ”said Anthony Hudson of Fox Footy.

“She’s a beauty. He’s a competitor (Mark of the Year), ”added Hawks legend Jason Dunstall.

After gaining control of the 50 inside count early in the second quarter, the Hawks finally took the lead when O’Brien netted his first goal of the afternoon behind the mark.

It didn’t take long before he got his second, but it was the brand that started everything that got fans excited.

An inspired Hawthorn robbed GWS of a golden chance to make the top-eight, overcoming an early 23-point deficit to produce a shattering three-goal victory.

The Hawks were lackluster at first and conceded the game’s first four goals, but came back into the game and survived a series of momentum jumps to ultimately flee the Giants and register the 13.12 (90) victory. at 11.6 (72).

Captain Ben McEvoy led forward with eight marks (three contested), 19 touches and one goal, while ball magnet Tom Mitchell amassed 40 eliminations in midfield.

Jack Scrimshaw’s class on the half-back was again impressive, knocking out the ball 28 times with 85 percent efficiency and taking two contested runs.

The Giants had a golden opportunity to cement themselves in the finals race and take eighth place from the out-of-form Richmond, but the loss means they will again face an uphill battle for appear in September.

The game lacked atmosphere at the start, as Bobby Hill’s impressive opening goal was greeted by silent applause from the “home” cheering team, whose orange and charcoal colors barely stretched out. more than a few rows at the end of Punt Road.

Conditions were perfect for football nonetheless, and when Hawthorn lacked tenacity early on, the Giants were fortunate enough to make a statement with a 23-point lead at the start.

The Hawks, however, quickly came to life and stunned their opponents with eight of the next nine goals.

It started with an explosive goal from James Worpel, and gained momentum when Tim O’Brien stepped in to take a superb old-fashioned “show” in the goal square.

O’Brien scored the next two goals, and as the previously lifeless crowd found considerable voice, it was now the Giants on the ropes.

An inspired Hawthorn captured the momentum and built a 22-point lead, but true to the changing nature of the contest, their advantage was quickly erased with the Giants’ Toby Greene landing a double hit to reduce the margin to just three points by the last break.

The Hawks again broke away to start last, fought off another Giants retaliation, and then scored three of the last four goals to clinch a thrilling triumph.

A first objective for the ages

When third player Jai Newcombe was charged with a 50 outside setback early in the last quarter, he lined up for the goal like a 200 player. And his arrival also looked like a veteran. seasoned, with the 55-yard bomb that came through to give the Hawks an early lead late in term.

Beginner refused

Newbie Denver Grainger-Barrass nearly claimed a Brand of the Year nomination in the second term, when he channeled Nick Riewoldt by charging into a peloton and latching onto a howler.

But the referee showed no interest in theatricality, holding on and giving Giants Daniel Lloyd a free kick for high contact.

DASHBOARD

GIANTS GWS 5.1 5.4 8.6 11.6 (72)

HAWTHORN 2.3 6.6 8.9 13.12 (90)

BETTER

GWS GIANTS: Whitfield, Kelly, Greene, Flynn, Cumming, Perryman

HAWTHORN: McEvoy, Scrimshaw, Mitchell, Day, Ceglar, Howe

INJURIES

GIANTS GWS: None

HAWTHORN Chad Wingard (hamstrings), Denver Grainger-Barras (concussion)

CROWD

9,897

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