AFL 2024 round eight LIVE updates: Boilover as spirited Hawks hold on to defeat Bulldogs at Marvel; QClash underway at the Gabba

Skipper is the hero
James Sicily became the unlikely matchwinner when switched forward in the final quarter. It was a brilliant move from Sam Mitchell as the skipper had battled manfully in defence after dislocating his shoulder in the first quarter when he landed awkwardly from a mark.

It has not been a great season for Sicily but this game was a triumph for the Hawks captain. He showed courage to return to the field and then recovered his poise after Nick Watson blew a chance to win the game when he missed his shot for goal from point blank range after receiving a handball from Sicily.

The Hawks deserved the win despite the crazy last quarter with Calsher Dear standing up on debut to kick a goal under pressure in the final quarter. They also recovered from an early onslaught to dominate the game and hold the lead for all but a short period after the quarter time.

Bontempelli can only do so much
Speaking of captains the result turned on Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli who refused to yield when his team was doing little right.

He was engaged three times in contests just before half time as he willed himself to inspire his team. He then won the ball and drilled Aaron Naughton with a pass in front of goal allowing him to narrow the margin. Then as the game again looked to be drifting the Hawks way, it was Bontempelli who stood tall with a mark and goal to drag the margin below 20 points.

He then brought the Bulldogs back again within range with his kick to Bailey Williams that narrowed the margin to a goal with two minutes left. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan had a chance to level the scores but hit the behind post.

Marcus Bontempelli takes a mark.Credit: Getty

What now for the Bulldogs?
The Bulldogs kicked the first three goals within the first six minutes but somehow lost their handle on the game just as quickly. They did not handle Hawthorn’s spare in defence and their skills when moving the ball were below par.

They only looked threatening from the centre square and it was not enough to match the Hawks. It was summed up when Jason Johannisen committed a coach killer scrubbing a kick-in which gave Tim English no hope. The Hawks pounced and made the Bulldogs pay when Connor Macdonald kicked a goal to halt the Bulldogs momentum.

Luke Beveridge is trying to make changes to take them to the next level but it’s like adjusting a golf swing. They might be going backwards to go forwards.

We’re under way at the Gabba and there’s a very late change.

Defender Brandon Starcevich is OUT — the cause is unclear as yet, but something’s gone amiss in the warm-up.

Logan Morris, picked at No. 31 in the 2023 draft, is IN to make his debut.

And the big day of footy continues as we head to the Gabba for Brisbane v Gold Coast.

How do you see this one playing out?

Richmond coach Adem Yze has scoffed at Fremantle counterpart Justin Longmuir’s insinuation the Tigers “manhandled” Dockers forward Jye Amiss in Sunday’s loss.

Longmuir was pleased with Fremantle’s 54-point defeat of Richmond at the MCG, which saw them climb inside the top eight, but spoke passionately afterwards about the treatment of Amiss throughout the season.

Amiss received a free kick in the dying seconds against Ben Miller after they engaged in a wrestle off the ball, before the Tiger dropped on top of him with his knees, which sparked a brief altercation between the clubs – and Longmuir’s post-match protest.

Match Review Officer Michael Christian will assess the incident and release his findings on Monday

Jye Amiss against Richmond at the MCG.Credit: Getty

“We’ve got big concerns about the way [Amiss] has been treated all year. We’ve gone to the umpires, asking for a bit more protection for Jye,” Longmuir said.

“He had a concussion a couple of weeks ago against West Coast, then missed last week with that concussion, and some of the treatment he got behind the ball today [was not good]. I understand that defenders need to block runs and all that type of things, but that incident late is not ideal.

“I feel like he’s been manhandled at times and throughout the year, and we need to look after those types of players. Opposition defenders see that he’s a bit lighter of frame, and he’s young, and the only way they can stop him is getting into those wrestles, and sometimes take it across the line.“

Yze brushed off the late-match wrestle as “two young guys going at it” but was more rigorous with his defence once becoming aware of Longmuir’s use of the word “manhandled”.

The first-year coach was adamant they had not targeted Amiss for extra physical attention.

“Our defenders try to limit the access their forwards get at the ball, so if that’s manhandling, well, that’s the game,” Yze said.

“We’re not going to allow a forward to get a clear run at it. He’s a good young player who needs a jump at the footy.”

Hawks captain James Sicily has revealed he “ripped his tape” when he went over on his ankle which led to him finishing the game as a forward.

Sicily was in the wars throughout the game popping his shoulder in the first term before returning and then rolling his ankle.

“I wasn’t in much pain but I don’t know if that was the Panadines or the adrenaline,” Sicily told Fox Footy about his shoulder.

“I rolled my ankle and ripped through my ankle tape. We weren’t going to strap it but the physio said we should strap it and I’m rapt we did.

“I couldn’t really jump so instead of being a liability down back, I thought I would sit deep and try to snag a goal.”

Bontempelli can only do so much
Speaking of captains the result turned on Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli who refused to yield when his team was doing little right.

Luke Beveridge is trying to make changes to take them to the next level but it’s like adjusting a golf swing. They might be going backwards to go forwards.

It’s a very, very happy team at Hawthorn.

The Hawks caused a huge upset against the Dogs at Marvel Stadium, holding off in a heart-stopping few minutes to claim a 7-point win.

Very fittingly, it was skipper James Sicily with the final goal of the game.

Hawthorn defeated the Western Bulldogs 14.14 (98) to 14.7 (91).

Hawthorn beat the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.Credit: Getty

This is some last quarter.

Bailey Williams has kicked another for the Dogs and pulled the Hawks’ lead back to just one goal.

There’s just over two minutes left on the clock. Everyone’s pulses doing ok?

James Sicily called and called for the ball, while battling with his opponent.

The ball was launched inside 50 and Sicily took the grab with all the confidence in the world. Then he popped it through to give the Hawks a two-goal lead.

Few are having more of an impact on the game then the two sides’ skippers.

There is just under three minutes left on the clock.

Hawthorn by 12.