Hawthorn too strong for Gold Coast

Isaac Smith

GOLD COAST    4.4    6.4      7.5      7.7          (49)
HAWTHORN       6.4    11.7    16.9    23.10     (148)


GOALS
Gold Coast: O’Meara, Hall, Shaw, Lynch, Ablett, Rischitelli, Swallow
Hawthorn: Gunston 5, Roughead 4, Rioli 2, Mitchell 2, Suckling 2, Breust 2, Hale, Smith, Shiels, Hill, Simpkin, Puopolo

BEST
Gold Coast: Ablett, Swallow, Rischitelli
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Burgoyne, Gunston, Hodge, Roughead

INJURIES
Gold Coast: TBC
Hawthorn: Spangher (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Jack Hutchins on for Luke Russell in the third quarter
Hawthorn: Jonathan Simpkin on for Matt Spangher in the third quarter


Brad Hill booted a clever goal for the Hawks. Photo: Getty

What happened
The visitors did as they pleased Hawthorn after a tight first quarter, kicking the game's last 11 goals

Jack Gunstan was the standout in a solid team display by the Hawks, picking up five goals and 25 disposals in an impressive performance.

Coleman Medalist Jarryd Roughead booted four majors.

Fallout
Hawthorn's victory extends a run stretching back to round 20 last year and puts the Hawks top of the ladder with a perfect record after four matches.

It also underlines their clear favouritism for the flag.

The match also showed the Suns have a long way to go before they can consider themselves genuine premiership contenders.

Hope they're in my fantasy team
Gary Ablett again led the disposals count for the Suns with 36 though the Brownlow Medallist's influence was relatively quiet by his high standards.

What's next
Hawthorn faces old foe Geelong in an Easter Monday blockbuster at the MCG.

The Suns travel to the MCG to take on the reinvigorated Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.

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