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WHEN Alastair Clarkson handed Brendan Bolton the keys to his shiny Rolls Royce, the interim senior coach was forgiven a cheeky second glance.
This Hawthorn side wasn't just missing a few spark plugs, it was up on blocks.
It contained just 13 members of the premiership side with the Norm Smith Medallist, Crimmins Medallist and former captain all sidelined.
Last night the reigning premiers played accordingly, just minutes away from the most embarrassing loss in history.
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Never before has the premier lost to the side ranked 18th the previous year, and yet with 140 seconds left last night it was a distinct possibility.
As GWS forward Jon Patton lined up for his third goal just 20 metres out directly in front, he was about to bring the Giants within a point.
Bolton was about to be forced into explanations to Clarkson about the raft of Hawthorn passengers and the second-tier players who failed to shine.
Brendon Bolton addresses his troops. Pic:Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia
About how when GWS responded from a week of criticism with the expected zest, the Hawks had nothing to come back with.
Then Patton's kick skewed right and after that easy miss and two last-term GWS posters, Hawthorn finally snapped a two-game losing streak.
Can they still be considered premiership contenders after a lifeless display where only fourth-gamer Angus Litherland showed he was desperate to lift this team?
The AFL ladder shows they are, because despite all the adversities thrust at them, Hawthorn is still 7-3 and sitting second.
Jarryd Roughead & Tim Mohr reach for the ball. Pic:Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia
They did it despite a midfield thrashing but with four-goal heroes Jack Gunston and Isaac Smith doing just enough to haul them across the line.
Litherland was only in the side when Ben Stratton withdrew with injury, but committed to the cause with tackle after goal-saving tackle.
As much as twitter was last night full of people wondering what size holes Alastair Clarkson was punching in his hospital room, there is a serious side.
Given the extraordinary levels of stress involved in a game like this, it is another reminder that he must not rush back.
Jeremy Cameron and Ryan Shoenmakers tangle. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia
The club's chief executive Stuart Fox will give an update on his progress today, but no one at the club is suggesting he will hurry back soon.
After a week of withering criticism over everything — player retention, coaching styles, development, team harmony — there was always going to be a reaction from the Giants.
But even this eclipsed what was expected given stars like Jeremy Cameron and Shane Mumford battled in wintry conditions.
Across the board there was a determination to out-hustle the Hawks (104 tackles the evidence) then outrun them on the spread.
Isaac Smith has eyes only for the ball. Pic:Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia
All year there have been individual highlights, but this was about team cohesion too.
Callan Ward's 13 tackles tell you enough about his endeavour, while Tom Scully and Adam Treloar just kept running the lines.
Devon Smith might be a cheeky little ratbag full of bluff and bluster, but gee he can play.
He mixed 26 possessions with four goals, yet another quality performance in a super year.
Lachie Whitfield is just all class, Heath Shaw thrived on his old home ground, and Will Hoskin-Elliott mixed a pair of hangers with two opportunist goals.
Luke Hodge puts the breaks on Callan Ward. Pic:Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia
Despite the optimism Jeremy Cameron's dirty season continued apace.
He started slowly, then smashed into Jarryd Roughead in a collision that surely has him in match review strife, and damaged his arm in the process.
Yet despite the rousing GWS performance, the Hawks did what they always do: lift when it counted.
Bolton might have put a few scrapes on Clarkson's prized possession, but it is still ticking over when called upon.
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JON RALPH'S BEST
GWS: Callan Ward, Smith, Whitfield, Treloar, Shaw, Scully, Hoskin-Elliott
HAWTHORN: Smith, Gunstan, Litherland, Birchall, Cheney
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