Hawks win thriller over Magpies

Every top-four side's nightmare is now a reality - Hawthorn have momentum heading
into the AFL finals.
The Hawks proved they will be the X factor next month with a stirring three-point
win over the minor premiers on Saturday at the MCG.
Hawthorn may not have gained a home elimination final with the 15.8 (98) to 13.17
(95) win, and the game was as much about Collingwood's ongoing inaccuracy, but it
has given the victors a massive confidence boost.
"To get a win against them right on the eve of the finals is really good for us, but
strangely enough, as exciting as the win is, it could be immaterial," said Hawks
coach Alastair Clarkson..
"We might ... still finish in seventh position and have to travel next week.
"But what it does do for us is give us enormous belief that we can beat anyone in
the competition if we play with that type of endeavour that we had today."
At least three times in the second half, Collingwood were one goal away from taking
control of the match.
Lance Franklin kept the Hawks in the game with five goals after halftime for a
season-best match haul of six, while star midfielder Cyril Rioli repeatedly
intercepted the ball and drove the Hawks forward.
The 'Pies led by 19 points midway through the final term, but Hawthorn had a
four-goal burst that put them ahead for the first time since early in the first
quarter.
Collingwood closed out the match with three behinds, including Dayne Beam's bad miss
from a free kick with about a minute left.
Clarkson heaped praise on Franklin, who has kicked 62 goals this season.
"He just kicked goals against the flow of play ... they were just really lifting
goals for us," Clarkson said.
"When it looked like Collingwood had the momentum and had the run of play, Buddy
would keep us in the contest."
Clarkson noted that Collingwood had belted them by 64 points in round four and this
match showed Hawthorn how much they had improved.
But he stressed that the Magpies remained a very impressive side going into the finals.
Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse said that apart from the inaccuracy, his side often
went for wrong options when heading into attack.
"We just clearly didn't go in there enough and didn't finish off well enough," he said.
"Our option taking at times was quite poor ... it's something we've been far better
at, I don't think we were good at it today.
"Is it (the loss) ideal? I don't know; is it poor? no; is it panic stations?
absolutely not.
"Do we change the side? Well, we'll see who's available."
One of the best aspects of the win was that Hawks star Luke Hodge did not play
because of a knee injury and he should be back next week.
Collingwood also should regain Leigh Brown, Alan Didak, Simon Prestigiacomo and Ben
Johnson - all in their best 22 - for the qualifying final against the Western
Bulldogs.
Josh Fraser was recalled for his 200th game and Leon Davis also came into the side
as a late inclusion.
The pair might struggle to hold their spots, even though Malthouse said they were
far from Collingwood's worst players.