Hawthorn’s midfield respond to spray

The post-game spray coach Sam Mitchell delivered after their round five loss to the Suns had the desired effect with Hawthorn’s midfield driving their team in a match winning second quarter where they piled on eight goals to register their highest half-time score since round two, 2018.

They kicked 5.1 (31) from stoppages, their highest return from that source since 2016 as the Hawks kicked nine unanswered goals on their way to their first win of the season.

Jack Ginnivan kicked two goals and ruckman Lloyd Meek kicked an 85-metre goal as the Kangaroos let their opponents do as they wished.

Small forward Dylan Moore kicked a career high four goals while midfielder Jai Newcombe was at his best with 31 disposals and nine score involvements, admitting post-game they had to dig deeper going forward to produce competitive performances.

Connor Macdonald played his best game for the Hawks as a hard running high half forward with 24 touches and a goal.

No excuse for North Melbourne’s second quarter

North Melbourne are rebuilding but there was no excuse for their second quarter. They played bruise free football with 20 players failing to lay a tackle in the first 20 minutes while the Hawks built their lead.

At half-time they had laid just 22 tackles and eight of their players had not laid a tackle.

It was a hard watch for North Melbourne supporters, who continue to show up in the hope of a win having now experienced defeat in 26 of their past 27 matches.

Their one win in the final game last season took them off the bottom of the ladder and cost them the number one pick, which allowed West Coast to grab Harley Reid.

They have also conceded 100 points again - as they have in every game this season - with their defence ill-equipped. Amazingly they have only sat on the bottom of the ladder - their current position - after three rounds since Alastair Clarkson became coach.

The Kangaroos one highlight came when Colby McKercher stormed through the middle of the ground, taking four bounces and finding Paul Curtis, who tried hard kicking three goals. Tristan Xerri battled hard and Sheezel is classy. Charlie Lazarro showed he could play after coming on as the sub.

Jai Newcombe led the way while North’s leaders went missing

Hawthorn’s midfield has been below par this season but they responded when put back into their weight division with Newcombe outstanding. He finished the match with 31 disposals as the Hawks scored from stoppages and won the inside 50 count 63-52.

Conor Nash was tough too, finishing with 31 disposals too, a neat result given the pair had a paltry 10 touches each against the Suns. Cameron MacKenzie was also excellent when the game was up for grabs in just his 20th game.

It was disappointing that North’s leaders could not match them with Jy Simpkin and Luke Davies-Uniacke overwhelmed.

Luke McDonald plays in defence so he had his hands full but he had little impact. The co-captain is trying to help teammates but it’s a big ask for him.

North Melbourne have the longest of long years ahead of them.