Hawks surge into AFL top four

15 Jul 2012, 8:31 pm   -   Source: AAP
Hawthorn climbed into the AFL's top four doing a demolition job on the struggling Western Bulldogs. (AAP)

Hawthorn climbed into the AFL's top four doing a demolition job on the struggling Western Bulldogs. (AAP)

Hawthorn have outscored Western Bulldogs nine goals to one in the second half to score a 72-point win in their round 16 AFL clash.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson admitted his thoughts turned to his side's percentage on Sunday as the Hawks thumped Western Bulldogs by 12 goals to claim a spot in the AFL's top four.

The Hawks led by 19 points after the second term but surged clear by 59 points at three-quarter time before claiming victory 17.14 (116) to 6.8 (44) in front of 24,754 fans at Etihad Stadium.

Ex-Crow Jack Gunston kicked a game-high four goals for the Hawks, in the absence of Coleman Medal favourite Lance Franklin who was rested because of a hamstring strain.

Hawthorn outscored the Bulldogs nine goals to one in the second half to notch an 11-4 record while the Bulldogs suffered their 10th loss from 15 games.

Midfielders Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell and defender Josh Gibson led the way for the Hawks who annihilated the Bulldogs 45-29 in the clearances and 61-38 in the inside-50s.

Half-back Rob Murphy was outstanding for the Bulldogs while skipper Matthew Boyd was a tireless midfield worker in his 200th game with a game-high 37 disposals.

The Hawks broke the game wide open in the third term, scoring 6.5 to the Bulldogs' one behind.

West Coast (131.5) and Essendon (130.0) also have 11 wins but they sit below the Hawks who have a competition-leading percentage of 157.0.

Hawthorn have won nine of their past 10 games. The lowest winning margin in those nine matches has been 35 points.

"Hopefully that will serve us well in the latter stages of the year when it might come down to percentage," Clarkson said.

The Hawks face third-placed Collingwood on Saturday at the MCG, but Clarkson was reluctant to feed the hype that's already building ahead of the possible grand final preview.

"We'll worry about the 'Pies when we need to worry about them. Right now, it's more about reviewing this game," Clarkson said.

Gunston, regular defender Ryan Schoenmakers (two) and ruck/forward Jarryd Roughead (two) contributed eight goals between them while Luke Breust, Jordan Lewis and elusive small forward Cyril Rioli kicked two goals each.

"Everyone in the competition perhaps wants 'Buddy' (Franklin) to be kicking a hundred goals but it's not necessarily the best outcome for our footy club," Clarkson said.

"The greater spread of players that we can have in terms of goalkicking, probably the better side we're going to become."

Clarkson said Franklin, who has kicked 51 goals this season, and skipper Luke Hodge were likely to miss at least one more game.

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney said his players showed a lack of fight.

"To capitulate the way we did is as disappointing as we've been (this year)," he said.

"There was a lot of people walking around aimlessly.

"Sometimes the game when it swirls around you, you just get lost."

The Bulldogs host Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

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