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A frantic, last-second rushed behind from star veteran Jack Gunston has delivered Hawthorn the most remarkable one-point win, capping off the latest ridiculous Hawks-Cats classic.<\/p>\n
In a feverish finish to a finals-like game with scores level, the Hawks bombed the ball deep inside 50, leading to a rapid passage of play where the Hawks tried to surge the ball over their goalline and the Cats defended for their lives in an attempt to conjure a draw.<\/p>\n
But the ball spilt free to Gunston \u2013 who had earlier sent a scare through the camp with a sore hamstring \u2013 where he got boot to ball in the final 20 seconds and hit the post to put the Hawks in front.<\/p>\n
\u201cGunston! Like Jimmy Bartel all those years ago, is that the winning point?\u201d Kayo Sports\u2019 Anthony Hudson said on Fox Footy\u2019s coverage, referencing Bartel\u2019s famous behind from a Hawks-Cats 2009 clash.<\/p>\n
Gunston threw his hands to his head, thinking he had given the Cats a chance to seal the game with an end-to-end play. But his soccer was enough to earn victory.<\/p>\n
The Cats attempted to move the ball quickly down the field, but Nick Watson and Josh Battle brought down Geelong\u2019s Shannon Neale to win a holding the ball free kick and seal a famous Hawthorn win, 13.14 (92) to 14.7 (91).<\/p>\n
\u201cGunston with a famous poster \u2026 There\u2019s been so many classics between these two sides, but this is right up there!\u201d Kayo Sports\u2019 Mark Howard said.<\/p>\n
Gunston told Fox Footy post-game: \u201cI\u2019m normally dirty on myself for kicking points, so nice to get a little toepoke then!\u201d<\/p>\n
Oliver Dempsey of the Cats looks dejected after a loss. Picture: Michael Willson\/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
It was the seventh time since just 2012 (excluding the Covid-affected 2020) the Easter Monday bout had been decided by 12 points or less.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was an amazing game, one of the great games of AFL footy,\u201d Kayo Sports\u2019 David King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo heavyweights just throwing blow after blow. Fantastic!\u201d<\/p>\n
The Cats kicked away during the second quarter \u2014 one of the best 30 minutes of the season \u2014 to enter the main break with a healthy lead.<\/p>\n
But true to the script, the Hawks responded and, through a goal after the siren from Jack Ginnivan, took a lead into the final change.<\/p>\n
The Cats built a buffer with the first three goals of the last before the Hawks clawed back with two quick goals of their own.<\/p>\n
Jeremy Cameron, who\u2019d endured a relatively quiet afternoon, kicked one of the Cats\u2019 early goals and levelled the scores deep into red-time with a minor score.<\/p>\n
The Cats looked home when Neale put them up by six points with 94 seconds left, but a strong mark and goal from Mitch Lewis tied scores once again before Gunston\u2019s moment.<\/p>\n
Hawthorn has now moved into the top six and set up a mouthwatering Gather Round clash with the undefeated Western Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
THE 3-2-1 \u2026<\/p>\n
3. STAR DOES \u2018THE BARTEL\u2019 TO WIN IT IN DYING SECONDS<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the game everyone was hoping for on Easter Monday.<\/p>\n
An absolute thriller between two teams who rolled the dice at every opportunity.<\/p>\n
And by full time it was Hawthorn by just a single point.<\/p>\n
Hawthorn\u2019s game plan was obvious from the opening bounce \u2013 run the ball at the Cats and get the job done with their speed.<\/p>\n
And early stages, the ploy looked genius.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis kick back into the middle \u2026 when they come through the corridor, they\u2019ve got Geelong\u2019s defensive 50 covered,\u201d two-time premiership winner David King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen they play same line and static football and allow the Geelong defence to get set, they are in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Cats cottoned on quickly to make the necessary adjustments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve stopped the handball chains \u2013 they\u2019ve been able to harass and force them into a kicking game,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve still got through on occasion Hawthorn \u2013 they\u2019re a good side, they\u2019re going to \u2013 but it hasn\u2019t been at the speed that it was early.\u201d<\/p>\n
Any time the Hawks got space, they looked threatening with their run game while for Geelong it was their precision both in front of goal and inside 50 that kept them in the contest.<\/p>\n
Shannon Neale of the Cats celebrates kicking a goal. Picture: Quinn Rooney\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Shannon Neale was getting it done against star Tom Barrass, kicking four goals from his four shots.<\/p>\n
Both teams were going at a pressure rating of 190 or more heading into the final quarter where the match hit its thrilling crescendo.<\/p>\n
The Cats got out to a 14-point buffer midway through the last term but the Hawks came out swinging.<\/p>\n
Down by two, two behinds in less than two minutes to Mabior Chol levelled scores.<\/p>\n
Mark Blicavs couldn\u2019t score with his snap down the other end. Then Neale dropped it in the square off Jeremy Cameron\u2019s set shot from outside 50 with just over three minutes to play.<\/p>\n
But when the ball somehow got through to Neale at the back of the pack with just over two minutes to play \u2013 the Cats were up by six.<\/p>\n
Enter Mitch Lewis.<\/p>\n
His mark and goal ensured scores were once again tied before Gunston\u2019s poster with less than 20 seconds remaining was enough for the four points.<\/p>\n
2. STAR\u2019S SCARE AFTER EPIC GOAL DENIED<\/p>\n
Gunston has been the Hawks\u2019 most important forward since his return to the club in 2024.<\/p>\n
But he sent a massive scare through the Hawks camp on Monday when he pulled up short late in the third term.<\/p>\n
Vision from behind the goals showed Gunston grab immediately at his hamstring \u2013 and he ended up heading down into the rooms a short time later.<\/p>\n
\u201cGunston grabbing his right hamstring as he took off from the square \u2026 hasn\u2019t moved 40 from goal,\u201d Fox Footy\u2019s David King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just wonder if they\u2019d take any risks with him right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
In great signs for the 34-year-old, he was able to return to the contest to start the fourth term.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been down with the doctors and physios for the rest of the term,\u201d Cam Mooney said from the boundary.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s getting a lot of work on that hamstring.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt if they were concerned they wouldn\u2019t be playing him.<\/p>\n
Mitch Lewis (left) and Jack Gunston of the Hawks celebrate. Picture: Michael Willson\/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve given him the OK.\u201d<\/p>\n
And in the end, it was Gunston who delivered that final match-winning point.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is defying logic with what he\u2019s been able to do \u2013 he\u2019s been everything for them in the forward half,\u201d King praised.<\/p>\n
Gunston had looked the most dangerous in attack before that injury scare, with his 3.3 \u2013 including what was almost goal of the year.<\/p>\n
Gunston had snapped from the boundary with Mooney describing it live as \u201cone of the best goals I have seen\u201d.<\/p>\n
But then the goal review came \u2013 and Gunston was denied by a slight snick on the inside of the goalpost.<\/p>\n
\u201cGee it\u2019s incredibly skilful to get this even to a challenge,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt does take the wind out of a potential goal of the year,\u201d Mark Howard added.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust the faintest of edges!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCigarette paper (edge),\u201d Anthony Hudson said.<\/p>\n
1. WHO DARES WINS IN CRUCIAL MATCH UP<\/p>\n
Both coaches were playing games from the box \u2013 Sam Mitchell sending Josh Weddle to Ollie Dempsey while Chris Scott matched star defender Tom Stewart on debutant Jack Dalton.<\/p>\n
But it was Mitchell who Fox Footy\u2019s commentators believed got the early match up win.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a massive tick for Sam Mitchell,\u201d triple premiership winner Cam Mooney said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was absolutely outstanding, particularly early, Weddle.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis run and carry through the middle really put the pressure on Dempsey \u2026 (who) couldn\u2019t go with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s someone who can match him in the air and on the ground and make him actually run the other way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mooney said Weddle\u2019s damaging run now put the question to the star Cat \u2013 \u201cHas he got the ability to actually defend?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the question Weddle is asking, particularly in the first quarter to set up a few goals for Hawthorn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Josh Weddle of the Hawks celebrates a goal. Picture: James Wiltshire\/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The move was made at quarter time to shift Dempsey, who Mark Howard likened to Eagles premiership great Peter Matera, from the wing to half forward.<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s where Dempsey stood up for the Cats.<\/p>\n
He nailed a ripping goal from outside 50 \u2013 a rare feat given stats show of his 64 goals in the last four years, it\u2019s his first goal from that distance.<\/p>\n
Stewart meantime did as he pleased until late in the contest when Jack Gunston made the switch to put a stop to the star Cat\u2019s \u201csweeper role\u201d.<\/p>\n
And again it was points to Mitchell in the coach\u2019s box.<\/p>\n
\u201c(The run game) renders Tom Stewart useless, they\u2019ve been brilliant,\u201d David King praised.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the start it was, gee they aren\u2019t having a plan for Tom Stewart,\u201d Leigh Montagna said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what they are doing, the way they are moving the ball is their plan for Tom Stewart.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought they looked really sharp.\u201d<\/p>\n
Weddle post-game said he enjoyed the match-up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just knew we\u2019re pretty like for like,\u201d he told Fox Footy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a good match up for me. He went to the same school as me! We get along quite well \u2026 I was looking forward to the match up all week.\u201d<\/p>\n
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