Integral Impacts – Round 10 v Hawthorn

Written by Nathan Sepe

Defence – Jacob Weitering 

Weitering stood up throughout the whole match and was an integral part to our second half defensive turnaround, with the side only conceding two goals in the second half, compared to their seven in the first half, three coming from junk time goals. Whether you needed him to lock down Lewis or take a contested intercept mark, you could rely on the number 23 to make his presence known and take control of the backline. Weitering kept his direct opponent Lewis to one goal for the game and only eight touches, a great lockdown effort. 

Weitering totalled 14 disposals going at 64% disposal efficiency, as well as 12 kicks at 60% kicking efficiency. Whilst his efficiency in those areas was not so impressive, his defensive stats across the game were what stood out. Weitering had nine intercept marks, his physical presence dominant against tall forward Lewis. From those nine intercepts, he took four intercept marks. Weitering had six contested possessions as well as seven uncontested possessions and saw himself getting a fair share of the ball moving out of our defensive 50. Weitering was able to create a contest with all of Hawthorn’s long entries inside forward 50 and put his body on the line along with Jones and Plowman with their one percenters. Weitering totalled nine one percenters along with six pressure acts to round out the game. It was hard to fault Weitering’s impacts, giving him his second mention in this year’s integral impacts. 

Midfield – Zac Williams 

A confidence boosting performance for Williams, finally finding some much-needed form, proving handy around the ground with his transition forward from halfback. Williams was effective with ball in hand and provided an option when transitioning outside of our defensive 50. To add to Williams highlight reel he was able to snag his first goal in the navy blue, with a great goal from outside 50 on the run, similar to Saad back against the Bombers. Williams linked up well with Stocker and Saad off the halfback line and displayed his run and carry that he brings to the side. 

Williams tallied up the stats, with 26 disposals at 85% disposal efficiency and 80% kicking efficiency, finally finding his groove on the half-back line and further up in the middle. Whilst Williams is classified more so a defender, his impact made a difference in the transitional areas. Whilst Walsh yet again was fantastic, it is about time he had others around him who stood up equally as well. Williams had seven contested possessions and played proactively on the halfback line with eight intercept possessions. Williams push up the ground saw him in two scoring involvements and two inside 50s. Williams running ability was on show, with seven rebound 50s and a stand out 764 metres gained. Williams had eleven pressure acts around the ground and laid two tackles. Williams’ ability to interlock with the halfback line and transition up the ground proved an integral impact and a first timer in the series this year. 

Forward – Eddie Betts 

The little things summarised the all-star that is Eddie Betts. Eddie’s efforts continuously throughout the game proved an integral part to our second half-defensive switch. Whilst his efforts may not have been picked up on from TV, in the stands his efforts sprinting all the way down back and back up to our forward 50 were certainly noticed, providing an extra link in the chain when transitioning up forward. You can count on Eddie to pop up and score a cheeky crumb goal and that he did kicking two goals overall in the game. He took a fantastic mark later in the third, which resulted in Harry’s first of the game and ultimately our final break from the Hawks to secure the win. 

Nothing less than impressive from the superstar veteran, with eleven disposals at 82% disposal efficiency. Betts had six contested possessions and put himself in and around the contest to crumb off a high ball whenever he was required. Betts kicked 2.1, with the first goal of the game and a goal late in the second crumbing off a deep ball inside forward 50. Betts had an impressive nine pressure acts and found himself with three inside 50s to end the game. Most impressive stat of all relating back to his sprinting effort was Eddie’s 19 total sprint efforts throughout the game, the best on the ground… Eddie just showing age is just a number. Teamwork makes the dream work for Eddie and his role in this side now is all role-playing to help his teammates, unselfishness from our number 19, a well-deserved mention in the Integral Impacts series.