Coleman Medal leader Tom Papley kicked four goals to inspire Sydney to a win over Hawthorn. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Hawthorn’s horrendous year hits rock bottom as Sydney Swans and star Tom Papley tear them apart

by · Fox Sports

Hawthorn’s fading season has gone from bad to worse after Coleman Medal leader Tom Papley and Sydney condemned them to a fourth straight loss on Saturday afternoon, falling by seven points.

The Hawks (3-5) were in control through the first half until Papley, who finished with four majors, was gifted a double goal after he mouthed off at ex-teammate Tom Mitchell.

The visitors still led until midway through the third quarter when the Swans (3-5) started to open up their defence by storming down the centre corridor, allowing Papley to add another pair of exciting goals which gave them a match-winning lead.

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Poor kicking cost Alastair Clarkson’s side all game and wet conditions at the SCG didn’t help.

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER RECAP

Returning forward Sam Reid gave the Swans the opening goal of the game, however the Hawks kicked the next three with 200-gamer Jack Gunston getting on the board.

A controversial sling tackle free kick saw Luke Parker respond for the Swans, and Hawthorn led 3.3 (21) to 2.1 (13) at quarter-time.

The Hawks won the contested possession count by 16 in the opening term, but some poor kicking (60 per cent disposal efficiency vs Sydney’s 69 per cent) and odd decision-making going forward limited the scoreboard impact.

Exciting Swans youngster Elijah Taylor made his first AFL goal a special one, with a tight snap from the pocket as rain began to fall.

Silky Swan's ripping 1st goal
0:58

The game began to slow down from that point with all players swarming to whichever side of the ground which had the ball. Commentator Mark Howard described it as “like the under-nines game I watched this morning”.

Sydney was gifted two goals in a row after Coleman Medal leader Tom Papley snuck one through, then mouthed off at ex-teammate Tom Mitchell and was handed a free kick in front of goal for being pushed in the back by James Frawley.

12-point play ignites SCG
1:22

That saw the Swans trailing 5.1 (31) to 5.3 (33) at halftime.

The Hawks hit back in their war of words with Papley in the third quarter as Mitchell goalled, with Frawley quickly going over to mock the Swans forward.

But then Papley responded with his third goal of the game as the hosts began to take the game on and charge through the corridor. Tom McCartin then put the Swans in front before Papley’s fourth extended the margin.

Sydney led 8.2 (50) to 6.6 (42) at three-quarter-time, and then extended their lead through Nick Blakey as the Hawks’ horrendous kicking continued to let them down, time after time.

Burgoyne under-fire for sling
0:32

James Sicily gave his side a sniff in the final minutes and the Hawks got within a straight kick, but they couldn’t manage another shot on goal from there.

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