Hawthorn's precision kicking wasn't tailored to the wet conditions at the MCG on Sunday, but the Hawks' strong-bodied midfield more than made up for it. An efficient forward line,probably the most dangerous in the AFL, made the most of their opportunities to kick more than 20 goals against Collingwood for the fourth straight game between the sides. Despite being challenged hard in the first half, Hawthorn's leaders stood up. Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell were brilliant, as were ShaunBurgoyne and Grant Birchall. Hodge was the difference after being swung into the midfield. Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli were also brilliant up forward.
How they lined up:
| B: | Guerra | Schoenmakers | Gibson |
| HB: | Birchall | Stratton | Burgoyne |
| C: | Hill | Hodge | Lewis |
| HF: | Bruest | Roughead | Rioli |
| F: | Hale | Franklin | Puopolo |
| Ruck: | Bailey | Mitchell | Shiels |
| INT: | Duryea | Anderson | Smith, Gunston (sub) |
Key outs: Sewell (Mid), Suckling (Def)
By the lines
Defence: The Hawks generate a lot of their play from theirback six. Grant Birchall and Brent Guerra use their excellent kicking skills to pinpoint targets up field. Opposition must always be mindful that these two, and many in the Hawthorn squad, are left footers. Ryan Schoenmakers has been one of the most improved defenders in the league and will likely play on the best forward, while Josh Gibson is a spoiling machine across half-back. Luke Hodge is the general when he plays across half-back, although the Hawks will often throw their fearless skipper into the midfield, as they did against Collingwood.
Midfield: One of the toughest midfield units the AFL has ever seen, led by Sam Mitchell. The former captain is going as strong as ever. He hovers between extracting the football at the stoppages, and half-back, where he demands the ball to set up play or settle things down when the opposition has momentum. Luke Hodge is another to play between defence and midfield. When the Hawks need a lift, they swing Hodge into the middle and he delivers more often than not. If Hawthorn has a weakness it's the speed of its midfield stars, although the addition of Bradley Hill and Jed Anderson has injected some pace.
Forward: Hawthorn's front six are as dangerous as any in the league. Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli are match-winners. If Buddy doesn't get you in the air, the sublimely skilled Rioli will pounce at ground level. Neither can be left one-out with their opponent. Adding to the Hawks' potency is rising star Luke Bruest and talls Jarryd Roughead and David Hale, who all benefit from the attention Franklin and Rioli receive. Franklin has a licence to roam all the way up to Hawthorn's defensive 50m arc, and he can be just as damaging running back towards goal - watch this.
Ruck: The Hawks utilise a three-pronged ruck rotation. Max Bailey has had a strong start to the season. Bailey is assisted by David Hale and Jarryd Roughead, who also play as forwards.
Tale of the tape - Hawthorn v Collingwood (Hawks season average and AFL rank in brackets)
Contested possessions - Haw 173-167 (161 - #2 AFL)
Uncontested possessions - Haw 196-190 (215 - #6 AFL)
Disposals - Haw 372-366 (378 - #2 AFL)
Disposal efficiency - Haw 66.7%; Coll 66.9% (73.9% - #2 AFL)
Kicks - Haw 224-207 (218 - #6 AFL)
Kicking efficiency - Haw 59.85 (66% - #3 AFL); Coll 59.9% (63.7 #10 AFL)
Handballs - Coll 159-148 (161 - #2 AFL)
Tackles - Haw 75-74 (64 - #8 AFL)
Marks - Haw 67-66 (75 - #12 AFL)
Contested Marks - Coll 13-8 (8 - #12 AFL)
Uncontested marks - Haw 59-53 (68 - #11 AFL)
Inside 50 - Haw 59-51 (62 =#1 AFL)
Hitouts - Haw 43-37 (41 - #6 AFL)
Hitouts to advantage - Haw 13-9 (11.3 - #8 AFL)
Clearances - Haw 50-43 (43 - #4 AFL)
