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AFL wrap: Hawks, Kangas win in day of thrillers

AAP

AAP

James Sicily was the match-winner as Hawthorn brought Western Bulldogs’ fast start to the season to a halt, edging the AFL upstarts by three points on Sunday afternoon.

In an absorbing contest of major momentum swings, Sicily’s three third-quarter goals proved the difference in a 14.9 (93) to 13.12 (90) win.

The Hawks were outplayed by the fleet-footed Bulldogs for much of the day but jumped off the canvas in the last quarter.

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Alastair Clarkson’s side turned a 19-point three-quarter time deficit into a tight victory by stopping the fleet-footed Bulldogs in their tracks.

The loss was incredibly tough on the Bulldogs, who had reeled in the premiers after conceding the first five goals of the match.

Led by Caleb Daniel, Luke Dahlhaus and former Hawk Matt Suckling, the Dogs were roared on in front of a bumper crowd of more than 47,000 people.

But experience told at the last, with Hawks Isaac Smith, Shaun Burgoyne and Sam Mitchell among Hawthorn’s best.

There were six lead changes in the last term, as Luke Beveridge’s side sought to continue their 100 per cent record in 2016.

The Hawks looked winners when Sicily booted his second goal of the final term to put them ahead by 11 with just five minutes to play.

But the Dogs wouldn’t roll over, responding with goals to Dahlhaus and Jake Stringer to lead once more.

Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy was a casualty in the late drama, collapsing in a two-on-one contest and being helped from the field.

It was Sicily who took the mark and who converted, kicking his third major with less than a minute on the clock and winning the game.

Scott queries cap after tight Roos AFL win

The AFL’s reduced interchange cap could have cost North Melbourne their round-three victory, says coach Brad Scott who has highlighted a problem with the competition’s blood rule.

AAP

High flyers: Roos and Demons battle it out. Photo: AAP

In a windy thriller at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval on Sunday the Kangaroos emerged five-point winners 21.10 (136) to 20.11 (131) over Melbourne in a game that came down to the wire.

Trailing by five points with 30 seconds left on the clock, the Demons missed out when Billy Stretch booted a behind after the siren.

In the stands Scott was facing a different dilemma after key playmaker Drew Petrie was brought off under the blood rule.

“It was a really interesting situation actually. I don’t know if it’s the first time it’s happened: we’d had 90 interchanges and then we had a blood rule,” Scott told reporters after the game.

With less than a minute of play remaining Petrie was replaced by Ben Brown.

“The problem we had was that we couldn’t put Petrie back on again.

“It’s a long bow to draw but theoretically you could have a player removed from the ground under the blood rule in pretty ordinary circumstances and then you can’t replace him again because you’ve hit your cap.”

Despite the late tensions, Scott happily claimed the win, which keeps the Roos’ unbeaten season record alive.

Standout performances came from Brent Harvey with 22 disposals and his highest match haul of six goals. Todd Goldstein contributed five goals and finished with 38 hit outs.

For Melbourne Bernie Vince finished with 32 disposals, but will be lucky to avoid further investigation for a high hit on Jamie MacMillan.

Cats thrash Lions

The day’s other game saw Geelong thump Brisbane Lions by 69 points at Simonds Stadium.

Boom recruit Patrick Dangerfield may have just shaded skipper Joel Selwood for best afield honours, though the statistics don’t do justice to the 26-year-old’s impact on the match.

Twenty-seven disposals – 17 of them contested – three goals, four tackles and a hitout is a great evening’s work in anyone’s language.

Selwood led all comers with 35 disposals against the Lions and Tom Hawkins booted a game-high four goals in the 18.17 (125) to 7.14 (56) victory.

Geelong had the contest well in hand when they led by 38 points at halftime, before extending the margin to 39 at three-quarter time and 69 at the final siren.

Brisbane are one of three teams – along with Carlton and Fremantle – yet to claim a win in 2016.

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