A final minute Cryil Rioli goal gave Hawthorn a come from behind 13.12.(90)-12.14.(96) victory over Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
The Bombers looked to have the game under wraps when Geelong recruit Paul Chapman goaled around the corner with three minutes remaining, but an instant response from Luke Breust just 10 seconds later reduced the Essendon lead back down to three, setting up Rioli’s dash inside 50 for the easy game-winning finish.
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Rioli then took a crucial mark just outside of 50 and set up a Josh Hill missed shot on goal to take the wind out of desperate Bombers outfit unable to get another look at the big sticks.
Hawthorn dominated much of the first half as they found easier avenues to goal courtesy of beautiful some execution. Influential were two left-foot goals from defender Matt Suckling, helping blow the halftime margin out to a healthy 32-point lead.
But Essendon came storming back into the contest in the third as rookie Patrick Ambrose booted a couple as part of six goal to none quarter- the Hawks first goalless term since the 2012 Grand Final.
The brutal quarter term saw Hawthorn champion Luke Hodge subbed out of the game with a mysterious ailment, after Sam Mitchell was a late scratch ahead of the match, and Essendon ruckman Patty Ryder with an ankle injury.
Jackson Merrett crumbed through another early in the fourth to extend the Bomber lead to 10 until Paul Puopolo broke a 48-minute drought with a classy finish, setting up the nail-biting end.
“We had a good first half and then in the second the Bombers came out. It was good for the boys to hold on and get the win by just a couple of points,” said match winner Rioli after the game.
“The legs blew up a bit and I went back to half back, but to get back to the forward line and finish off that goal was pretty nerve-racking, but I’m glad I finished it off, Rioli said of his first game for 2014.
Shaun Burgoyne led Hawthorn with 30 disposals, seven marks, seven clearance and seven inside 50s while Rioli kicked three goals to go along with six clearances, eight inside 50s and five marks.
Jobe Watson led the Dons with 30 touches (20 handballs) while Brendan Goddard added 28.
Hawthorn face Fremantle next Friday night at the MCG in a Grand Final rematch while the Bombers take on Carlton on Sunday.
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Photo: Micheal Dodge/Getty Images
