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Hawthorn has survived a major scare from a dogged North Melbourne to retain third spot on the ladder.

A five-goal haul from Nick Watson – including a game-breaking burst of three in the second quarter – provided the difference in the Hawks’ 14.15 (99) to 12.11 (83) victory.

In a match that featured a whopping 12 lead changes, the Kangaroos belied a lopsided 61-40 inside 50 differential to take the fight right up to the premiership favourites.

But they had no answers for the 21-year old, whose equal career-best outing takes him to second on the Coleman Medal count with 52 majors for the season.

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Jarman Impey (30 disposals and a goal) did his All-Australian chances no harm, while Jai Newcombe (33 disposals, 12 clearances) rivalled Watson for best-afield honours.

Defender Josh Battle’s last-quarter goal on the run – just his second as a Hawk – proved the killer blow.

The Kangaroos’ loss leaves them all but out of the race for a top-ten berth with three rounds to go.

“They had a crack today, the Roos,” Western Bulldogs games record holder Brad Johnson said on Fox.

“They’ve hung in there all day.”

Nick Larkey looked to have overcome his yips with a pair of goals, including a captain’s major late in the third quarter to give the Kangaroos an unlikely three-quarter time lead.

With 27 disposals and seven clearances, Luke Davies-Uniacke was outstanding for the visitors, while two goals from Harry Sheezel to go with 25 disposals and six tackles ensured he left nothing out there.

Sydney’s win over St Kilda denied the Hawks the chance to move into second spot on the ladder, but victory ensures Sam Mitchell’s team will head into a blockbuster Round 22 date with Brisbane at the Gabba third on the ladder.

Hawthorn goalkickers: Watson 5, Gunston 2, Chol 2, Impey, Day, Ward, Battle, Morrison

North Melbourne goalkickers: Trembath 3, Larkey 2, Sheezel 2, Curtis 2, McKercher, Stephens, Banch

THE 3-2-1

3. ‘CHASING THE COLEMAN’: WIZARD RAISES 50 IN LATEST MASTERCLASS

At 182 centimetres tall, Malcolm Blight has held the record for the shortest ever Coleman Medallist since 1978.

But Nick Watson might have something to say about that.

After a one-disposal first quarter, the ‘Wizard’ broke the game open in the second, kicking three goals in quick succession to turn a 17-point quarter time deficit into a Hawks lead.

The second of the three was classic Watson: starting at the centre bounce, the 21-year old surged forward, got on the end of a series of handballs, and dribbled through a team-lifting goal.

“He’s chasing the Coleman!” Dwayne Russell exclaimed on Fox Footy.

The third-year forward’s five goals matches his career-best, and sees him kick clear of Jack Gunston in the race to be Hawthorn’s leading goalkicker at season’s end.

The veteran spearhead’s inaccurate 2.5 leaves him with 49 goals for the year.

More importantly, the haul leaves Watson in outright second for the Coleman with 52 majors for the season, five behind leader Charlie Curnow (57).

But speaking to Fox Footy’s Cameron Mooney after the game, he had his eyes on something more important.

“The Coleman, don’t worry about that. More about winning the flag,” he said.

“There’s a bigger prize at the end of the year.”

2. ROOS’ PRESSURE LIFT HAMPERS ‘OFF’ HAWKS

After just 33 tackles in their loss to St Kilda in Round 20, North Melbourne headed to Launceston needing both a win and a statement of intent to keep their season alive.

And the gauntlet was set down from the outset, with the Kangaroos belying a lopsided inside-50 count with ferocious pressure and an intent to tackle.

Stars Tristan Xerri (eight tackles), Luke Davies-Uniacke (seven ) and Harry Sheezel (six) led from the front, while defender Charlie Comben, despite a chest injury that saw him need to take the Spirit of Tasmania across Bass Strait for the game, contributed six.

The Roos finished the half with 28 tackles, and would end the match with 59, with Hawks coach Sam Mitchell conceding his team were “a bit off” as a result.

“I’m loving the pressure that North Melbourne has brought this week.” Geelong dual premiership player Cameron Mooney said on Fox.

“This is almost a final, and it has to be finals-like attitude for them.

“They need to play every game like it’s their last – and that’s exactly how they’re playing. The smothers, the chasing, the tackling.”

But the defeat leaves the Kangaroos with a mountain to climb to stake a claim for a top-ten spot and wildcard finals berth.

The Western Bulldogs, Geelong and Sydney (SCG) await Alastair Clarkson’s team – they’ll likely need to win all three to give themselves a chance at September action.

1. ‘THAT’S UNKIND’: BIZARRE MOMENT IN HAWK’S ODD DEBUT

After an impressive run of form in the VFL, first-year Hawk Aidan Schubert was involved in plenty in his first game at the highest level.

The 18-year old tall – son of former SANFL stalwart Nathan – had big shoes to fill, stepping in for the injured Mitch Lewis (concussion) against the Kangaroos.

Being picked ahead of fellow young tall Calsher Dear meant expectations were high.

And the Hawks were keen to look after him at every turn, with Jack Gunston told to leave the protected area after stepping in to give the teenager some advice after a mark inside 50 in the second quarter.

“Just get out of there, Jack. Let the family watch,” former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said on Fox.

“They’ll be nervous.”

But with his family watching on, Schubert appeared to have other ideas, passing off what would have been his first shot at goal to a leading Nick Watson.

“I can’t believe anyone led for it. Let the guy have his moment!” Brad Johnson laughed, while Hinkley said the debutant’s family would be “flat” after the act of selflessness.

However, it turned out that Schubert had actually been called to play on after taking too long with his set shot – not helped by Gunston’s attempt to provide some helpful tips.

“Gee, that’s unkind. The rules have surely got to cater for a bloke playing his first game,” Dwayne Russell said.

“Surely he gets 32 or 33 seconds!”

Schubert would prove crucial on a number of counts to Watson’s push for the Coleman Medal.

An attempted mark right on the goal line in the third quarter appeared to have cost Jarman Impey a running goal – only for Cameron Zurhaar’s rebounding kick to land straight on Watson’s chest for his fifth goal.

But with a couple of misses in the third term, Schubert would end his first game yet to register his first major at the highest level.

“He’s got some work to do with that part of his game,” Hinkley said after his second set shot drifted across the face.

Lewis is likely to return for the Hawks’ crucial Round 22 clash against Brisbane.

But with nine disposals and five marks, Schubert showed more than enough to suggest he’ll add to the club’s key forward logjam in coming seasons, should Gold Coast sharpshooter Ben King, as expected, head to Dingley this off-season.

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