Melbourne’s Steven May Hospitalized, Jake Lever Injured in Dominate Win Over Hawthorn

Melbourne‘s key defender Steven May found himself hospitalized after sustaining a chest injury during a marking contest with Hawthorn‘s Mabior Chol, while his teammate Jake Lever was also injured in a dominant AFL victory over Hawthorn.

The twilight clash at the MCG saw Melbourne overpower Hawthorn 14.9 (93) to 5.8 (38), with Bayley Fritsch standing out with five goals, supported by an impressive midfield performance from Christian Petracca and Jack Viney.

May’s hospitalization came after a third-quarter incident with Hawthorn’s Chol, with Lever also being forced out of the game due to a sore knee.

New Hawk Nick “Wizard” Watson managed to kick his first AFL goal during the match, responding to a series of near misses in previous games.

The game saw a strategic move by Hawthorn’s Finn Maginness to contain Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver after a standout performance, reflecting the intense competition between the two sides.

Despite injury setbacks and tactical adjustments by Hawthorn, Melbourne dominated the first quarter, showcasing their strength in clearances and inside 50s.

The second quarter saw a shift in momentum as Hawthorn managed to outscore Melbourne by two goals to one, though they ultimately couldn’t match Melbourne’s pace.

As the game progressed and the victory was secured for Melbourne, star player Christian Petracca still displayed unwavering commitment with a late defensive effort, showcasing his dedication to the team’s cause.

Young Hawk Nick Watson redeemed himself with a goal later in the game, finally breaking his streak of missed opportunities, much to the delight of his teammates.

The strategic play adopted by Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell to focus on maintaining possession through marks didn’t deter Melbourne, as they continued to dominate and seal the win convincingly.

Injuries aside, Melbourne’s resilience and depth were evident as they managed to secure a comfortable victory despite the challenges faced during the match at the MCG.

The game concluded with Melbourne firmly in control, solidifying their early-season form and leaving Hawthorn with areas to address moving forward.