Suns show improved form is not a false-dawn in the AFL.
The history books will show it as a Hawthorn win in round nine, but they will not do it justice as to how hard the premierships favourites had to work for it.
Against the second newest side in the competition, last year’s grand finalists were pushed all the way before running out 26-point winners.
For two-and-a-half quarter the Suns showed they are needed a rapidly improving side, as they went blow for blow with the competition heavyweights.
Mid-way through the quarter the Suns enjoyed a 17-point lead over the Hawks, easily their biggest against of the powerful sides of the competition.
But like all good sides can, the Hawks found an extra gear and took the fight to the Suns to lead by 20 points at three-quarter time.
Despite trading goals in the last term the Suns were not able to get on a run of at least three-in-a-row which would have been needed to put the result back on the table as the hawks dominated the inside-50 count 26-4 in the last term.
Lance Franklin again showed he could either be rocks of diamonds for the Hawks as he finished with five goals in his 21 possessions for what is a solid return on face value.
But that fails – completely – to take into account his four kicks out on the full, his three posters, his two free-kicks against and his occasionally shoddy body language as he was taken to the cleaners by Rory Thompson in the first half.
But for two quarters, as good as champion Gary Ablett was, the eye was drawn to his younger mates with Tom Lynch (17 disposals and six marks) a beacon as a key forward target.
Steven May, 10 touches and four soild marks before being injured, looked right at home among the big Hawks and Daniel Gorringe (17 touches) showed flashes of brilliance.
Aaron Hall (five goals) showed he’s a lethal finisher given a sniff of a chance up forward while Dion Prestia (33 disposals) played arguably his best AFL game.
Hawthorn will look to get off to a faster start when they play the lowly Melbourne Demons while the Suns will aim for their fifth win of the year, when they tackle Geelong at home.
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