Hawthorn v GWS: Dismal crowd turns out to see Hawks win

Tom Naghten

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Hawthorn v GWS: Dismal crowd turns out to see Hawks win image

Hawthorn scored arguably their biggest win of the season against the Giants at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, though not many turned out to see it in person.

An official attendance of just 14,636 came through the gates at the 'G as the Hawks ran out 33-point winners.



Hawthorn averaged a home attendance of 33,298 in 2018, though that includes four matches at the much smaller University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston.

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Sunday's crowd was the lowest for Hawks home game at the MCG since round 16, 2004 v Port Adelaide, and the lowest attendance for any match at the venue since Melbourne hosted Fremantle in round 21, 2013.

This is from a club that boasted more than 80,000 members last season - the second most in the comp.

A range of factors would have contributed to Sunday's dismal turnout.

Opponents GWS were never likely to bring many of their own fans down, while the 3.20pm Mother's Day start time may have also discouraged some from turning up.

Coach Alastair Clarkson commented after last week's loss to Melbourne that the team's performances were "middle of the road."

Perhaps the Hawks faithful took that as a cue that the team was officially rebuilding and decided to wait until they were competitive again to rock up.

Whatever it was, no one told the players, who comfortably handled the more-fancied Giants.

But for Jeremy Finlayson's third goal late in the match, the visitors would have been kept goalless in the second half.

While Jeremy Cameron has been in red-hot form this season, Hawks backman James Frawley was able to keep him to just four behinds for the match.

Hawthorn wingman Ricky Henderson continued his impressive start to the year, picking up 36 touches as Clarkson's side improved to 4-4 for the year.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.