Melbourne v. Hawthorn at Casey Fields.Pic Wayne Ludbey.Nathan Jones tackles Iassac Smith. Source: News Corp Australia
MELBOURNE’S hopes of making a dramatic and quick recovery under new coach Paul Roos were swept away by a ruthless Hawthorn in Saturday’s practice match at Casey Fields in Cranbourne.
The Hawks won by 110 points - 21.16 (142) to 4.8 (32) - after Melbourne could only add two goals after quarter time to give them just four for the game.
Determined not to suffer from the so called premiership hangover which haunted the Hawks in 2009, they showed no mercy to a Demons side that booted two goals in the first quarter and could manage none in the second quarter, one in the third term and one, 27 minutes in the fourth quarter, when Jake Spencer marked strongly.
Ben McEvoy marks over Jake Spencer. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia
The Demons, who beat Richmond in their first NAB Challenge clash and then were competitive against Geelong in Alice Springs, could offer little in the clash.
The Hawks were well lead by midfielder defender Sam Mitchell and last year’s Coleman Medallist Jarryd Roughead who booted six goals, including three in the third term.
Melbourne’s most prolific goal kicker was old reliable Jeremy Howe who booted his two goals in a two-minute burst in the first term.
Even Hawthorn fullback Josh Gibson, for once, shared in his team’s goal kicking glory, when he was moved to full forward in the last term. After having only booted two goals in home and away games, he booted two in a two-minute burst when tried in attack and both had plenty of style about them.
The Hawks welcomed back premiership defender Grant Birchall for his first game of the year and while he started on the bench, he was quickly into the action. Young Hawk Alex Woodward, who is to make his senior debut after missing two years with knee injuries, came on late in the game and played on a wing on Jack Watts.
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