Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Hawks lose two stars in record AFL win

Injuries to Sam Mitchell and Brian Lake are the only negatives in Hawthorn's record 145-point AFL win over St Kilda.

Jordan Lewis of Hawthorn is congratulated by team-mates.
Hawthorn has beaten St Kilda by a record 145 points in their AFL match at the MCG. (AAP)

Hawthorn paid a price for Saturday's record AFL win over St Kilda, with stars Sam Mitchell and Brian Lake to miss the big clash against Sydney.

The injuries to Mitchell and Lake were the only negatives for Hawthorn on a sodden afternoon at the MCG, where they put their collective foot on the Saints' throat and kept it there.

The 145-point margin is the largest between the two clubs and the fifth-best in Hawks history.

Hawthorn had 11 goalkickers as they booted 27.13 (175), while St Kilda's 4.6 (30) was their lowest score against the Hawks.

The Saints only had 25 inside-50s, equalling their club low.

But Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson confirmed Mitchell (hamstring) and Lake (calf) were set to miss Friday night's match in Sydney against the Swans.

It could be their first game against ex-Hawks star Lance Franklin, who is out of action this weekend because of a knee injury.

Apart from the injuries to Mitchell and Lake, Hawthorn had a dream afternoon.

Ryan Schoenmakers made a successful comeback from a knee reconstruction and teammates mobbed him when he kicked the first of his four goals.

Likewise, first-gamer Billy Hartung was the centre of attention when he kicked his first AFL goal.

And the Hawks flocked to Jordan Lewis when he celebrated his 200th game with a goal close to the final siren.

Clarkson and his Saints counterpart Alan Richardson agreed that Hawthorn's enormous pressure was the key difference.

It led to Hawthorn having a whopping 478 disposals to St Kilda's 329.

"They still had enough of the ball, but the pressure we were able to apply on them meant they found it hard to get forward momentum," Clarkson said.

"We were strong in all facets of the game today."

Hawks midfielder Shaun Burgoyne revelled in the tough conditions to be best afield.

Schoenmakers, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust and Jack Gunston all kicked four goals.

Adding to the Saints' horror day, Jarryn Geary suffered a serious elbow injury in his 100th game.

Richardson said Geary will probably need surgery for a ruptured ligament and will be out for 10-12 weeks, meaning his season is most likely over.

In more bad news, Richardson revealed the foot injury that sidelined Tom Hickey for Saturday's match will put the ruckman out of action for eight-10 weeks.

Leigh Montagna and first-year player Jack Billings were best for the Saints.


3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world