Sam Mitchell feels that nothing has changed for Hawthorn since they humiliated injury-ravaged Carlton by 74 points in the AFL top eight.
The Blues suffered a number of setbacks, including the loss of star forward Charlie Curnow, as the “Showtime Hawks” ran rings around their undermanned opponents in a 16.16 (112) to 5.8 (38) triumph in front of 84,773 at the MCG.
Hawthorn dominated Sunday’s game with five unanswered goals in the second quarter and went into party mode after halftime, inflicting Carlton their worst defeat under Michael Voss.
After starting the season 0-5, Hawthorn is now in position to reach finals, with games against bottom-two sides Richmond and North Melbourne to end the home-and-away season.
But third-year coach Mitchell isn’t taking anything for granted. “We’re not there yet,” he explained.
“For us, every game is a final, and it has been for about six weeks.
“We knew we could miss one game, but we did so when we lost last week.”If we lose again, we are gone. That’s our current mindset.
The banged-up Blues have lost five of their last six games, dropping to ninth place, and are waiting for scan results on Curnow’s injured left ankle.
Adam Saad (hamstring), Jack Martin (hamstring), and Lachie Fogarty (collarbone) did not finish Sunday’s game, while Jordan Boyd (adductor) was injured but played on.
Curnow entered the match with an ankle injury and lasted only two minutes into the second half before collapsing to the ground.
The two-time Coleman Medal winner had to be helped off the ground and was never seen again as Hawthorn cruised to a comfortable victory.
Massimo D’Ambrosio (31 disposals), Dylan Moore (29), James Worpel (25) and Conor Nash (25) dominated the midfield, while captain James Sicily (30) led a resolute defence.
Dear Calsher, Josh Weddle and Jack Gunston each scored three goals, while Jack Ginnivan and substitute Luke Breust added two.
Mitchell praised the Hawks’ defensive consistency and pressure, but wished for more ruthlessness from his team.
“There were a couple of phases in the game when Carlton were trying to slow it down and we started to slow it down too,” according to him.
“We talk a lot about controlling the narrative of the game and we didn’t do that as well as we would’ve liked early on.”
Carlton midfielders Matt Kennedy (33 disposals, six clearances) and Patrick Cripps (25, eight) were the Blues’ finest contributions, but the team was soundly defeated.
“It was an extremely disappointing day on a lot of fronts, and it’s not the standard that we’re about as a club,” Carlton coach Michael Voss said.
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