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There were plenty of reasons for Hawks fans to be happy during a competitive performance against the Richmond juggernaut on Sunday, but this might have been number one.
Late in the third quarter with the Tigers leading by 23 points the Hawks backline was under the pump.
Despite only having Daniel Rioli and Dustin Martin near a footy surrounded by four Hawthorn players, the Tigers were about to pinch the pill — and potentially another goal.
Kyle Hartigan was scrambling on his knees attempting to clear the ball and it eventually spilt out in the direction of Changkuoth Jiath, who was skirting around the back of the pack.
The Hawks youngster picked it up just before Martin and as the Tigers superstar attempted to lay a tackle gave him a perfect fend-off that gave him time to quickly back-pedal and escape down the boundary side.
After delivering it lace out down the line to Harry Morrison, Jiath was hailed by footy pundits everywhere.
“Have some of your own medicine, Dusty,” Melbourne great Garry Lyon said in commentary for Fox Footy.
Who is Changkuoth Jiath?
Jiath, 21, was playing just his ninth game of AFL after debuting in 2019.
Born in an Ethiopian refugee camp, the son of South Sudanese parents moved to Australia as a six-year-old before learning to speak English — and kick a footy.
He was picked up the Hawks in the 2018 Rookie Draft and after injuries and opportunity limited him to seven games across his first two seasons he is starting to find his feet across halfback.
He showed his dare and athleticism by flying for a high ball later in the game against Martin.
Martin, who is famous for his fend-offs, will hardly be having nightmares about being on the receiving end after likely picking up best-on-ground votes for the second week in a row in Richmond’s 11.12 (78) to 7.7 (49) win.
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