Injury worry as Hawks brush aside Bulldogs

Author Photo
Ben McEvoy

HAWTHORN      5.2, 7.6, 11.7, 16.11 (107)
WESTERN BULLDOGS    2.1, 2.5, 5.7, 6.9 (45)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Roughead 6, Gunston 3, Lewis 2, McEvoy, Duryea, Breust, Hale, Simpkin
Western Bulldogs: Campbell 2, Dahlhaus, Higgins, Crameri, Stringer

BEST
Hawthorn: Roughead, Suckling, Shiels, Birchall, Lewis
Western Bulldogs: Murphy, Macrae, Griffen, Campbell, Liberatore 


Ryan Griffen is wrapped up by Alex Woodward. Photo: Michael Dodge (Getty)

What happened

Hawthorn's march towards September continued to gather momentum on Sunday, as the Hawks brushed aside the Western Bulldogs with a 62-point win at Aurora Stadium.

Jarryd Roughead booted six goals and was best on ground, while Jack Gunston (three goals) and Jordan Lewis (two) were other contributors.

The victory lifts Hawthorn to the top of the ladder, equal on points with the Swans and Cats.

But an ankle injury to Jack Gunston soured the Hawks' win.

The big-game goal-kicker hobbled from the field in the last quarter, but was briefly able to jog along the boundary line.

The reigning premiers shot to an early three-goal lead and never allowed a determined Bulldogs side back into the contest.

The Hawks eventually broke their young opponents, slamming on five goals to one in the final term.

The Bulldogs who remain 14th with six wins for the year, were outclassed but far from disgraced.

Tom Campbell show promise with two goals, while Stewart Crameri, Luke Dahlhaus, Shaun Higgins and Jake Stringer their other goal scorers.

What's next

The Hawks face Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday at 4.40pm.

The Bulldogs play bottom team St Kilda on Sunday at 3.20pm.

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