1. Cameron reported
Greater Western Sydney's star forward Jeremy Cameron was reported for rough conduct for his part in a collision with Hawk Jarryd Roughead late in the second quarter. Cameron collected a sliding Roughead high, first clipping him with a stray forearm and then with a more forceful blow with his hip. It will be a tricky one for the Match Review Panel to assess, as it is difficult to determine whether Cameron had any other option when he made contact with Roughead. The star GIANT has form in this area after he ended the season of Bulldogs midfielder Jason Johannisen with a heavy bump last season. Although Cameron was ultimately cleared, Johannisen required season-ending surgery for a dislocated right AC joint injury.
2. Stressful times for Hawthorn's newbie
With Alastair Clarkson out of action and resting up in his hospital bed, the responsibility of coaching Hawthorn fell to assistant coach Brendan Bolton. Bolton's ascension to the top job came about after a successful stint at the Box Hill Hawks where he led the VFL side to consecutive finals series in 2009 and 2010. Clarkson was an unabashed fan of Bolton's style and hired him as the club's midfield coach at the start of the 2011 season. Bolton endured a tough time in his first stint in the hot seat. He watched on as his team trailed at quarter time and when the GIANTS came roaring back into the contest late. But ultimately experience won out, granting Bolton his first win in his first game as a senior coach. The Hawks will provide an update on Alastair Clarkson's condition, who is battling the rare disorder Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), on Monday.
3. Whitfield's awakening
The No. 1 pick in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft has had a slow start to the 2014 season after an impressive debut campaign last year. A foot injury had hampered his progress early in the year, but against the Hawks his full array of talent was there for all to see. The 19-year-old was best afield, using the ball smartly and with the kind of conviction few in the AFL possess. Not just doing the flashy things, he also put pressure on the opposition, with his desperate lunging effort to bring down Angus Litherland in the last quarter testament to that. Whitfield finished with 32 disposals and nine marks to show everyone why he was so highly-rated when the 2011 Draft came around.
4. Hoskin-Elliott soars twice
Will Hoskin-Elliott is a top draft pick many seem to forget, selected by the GIANTS with pick No. 4 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft. Hoskin-Elliott soared twice at the MCG on Sunday evening, surely earning himself multiple Lifebroker Mark of the Year nominations. His first effort came in the goal square where he came from three deep to pluck the grab. He also flew late in the game to pull down another hanger. Hoskin-Elliott's dare was important for the GIANTS, as he finished with 13 touches and six marks.
5. Injury toll worsens for Hawks
Hawthorn had just 13 premiership players in its side against the GIANTS. With Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Ben McEvoy, Brian Lake, Josh Gibson, Ben Stratton and Cyril Rioli all sidelined through injury, Hawthorn's lack of experience was telling. Already a man down in the ruck department, David Hale's quad injury only added to Hawthorn's woes. The Hawk was substituted out of the game in the third quarter, immediately applying ice to his injured thigh. He was seen at three-quarter time with his quad heavily bandaged suggesting he could be set for some time on the sidelines.
