Kennedy lifts Eagles to win over Hawks

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson refuses to concede his side's finals hopes are over
despite the Hawks slumping to their sixth straight loss in an eight-point AFL defeat
to West Coast at Subiaco Oval on Saturday.
Jarryd Roughead booted four goals in the final term and six for the match for the
Hawks, but a career-best six goals to Josh Kennedy and four to Mark LeCras lifted
the Eagles to the 15.12 (102) to 14.10 (94) win.
Hawthorn, at 1-6, face a mammoth task to avoid missing the top eight for the second
straight year.
"There's 15 games to go and anything can happy in footy," Clarkson said.
"We felt like we took a step in the right direction in terms of our endeavour and
application and if that's right then my view is we've got too much talent in our
side to stay down the bottom for too long.
"A couple of our lads who were pretty heavily criticised for their performances last
week (in the loss to Essendon), some of our more senior players, particularly
Roughead and (Jordan) Lewis, I thought they responded in the right manner today."
Lewis, a late inclusion for the injured Lance Franklin, finished with 31 disposals,
eight clearances and three score assists while Luke Hodge was a pillar of strength
in defence and through the midfield.
Clarkson predicted Franklin, Sam Mitchell, Rhan Hooper and star recruit Shaun
Burgoyne would be available for next weekend's must-win clash with lowly Richmond at
the MCG.
"That will help us with experience and polish," Clarkson said.
"There's still plenty to look forward to."
The Hawks trailed by just seven points at three-quarter time and Roughead had the
chance to close the gap to two points early in the final term when he ran on to a
loose ball just 15m out and with an open goalsquare beckoning.
But his decision to volley for goal instead of taking possession proved costly, with
the Eagles kicking three unanswered goals after his miss to set up a match-winning
lead of 25 points.
Roughead tried to make amends with four quick goals from that point, including some
monsters from outside 50m, but the Hawks ran out of time as the Eagles held on
grimly at the death.
"He's kicked six which is really pleasing for us," Clarkson said of Roughead.
"He's a proud boy and maybe a bit unfairly criticised through the course of the week.
"Over the journey he's been a tremendous player for us.
"Despite the doom and gloom in terms of the win-loss we've got genuine belief as a
footy club that we're heading in the right direction.
"We've got genuine belief in the playing group we can turn this around and get
ourselves back in the season and play some good footy."
Chance Bateman could be set for a stint on the sidelines after he was reported for a
dangerous hip and shoulder on Eagles debutant Brad Sheppard.
Brent Guerra copped a bad cork to his thigh and failed to take to the park in the
final quarter.
Nic Naitanui (19 possessions, 23 hit-outs) and Dean Cox (35 hit-outs, one goal)
monstered Brent Renouf (18 hit-outs) in the ruck, leading to a 44.32 win in the
clearances for the home side.