AFL: GWS Giants 'suffer' second draw in as many weeks, this time against Hawthorn

For a split second, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson thought his side had stolen the unlikeliest of AFL victories.

Trailing by two goals late in the final quarter against competition heavyweights Greater Western Sydney, the Hawks rallied late and a Will Langford goal levelled scores at 97-all in the 32nd minute.

A frantic finish on Saturday saw Hawthorn's Ryan Burton rush a behind only to be denied, with the umpires ruling the siren had sounded before the ball crossed the line.

It left the game locked at 14.13 (97) to 15.7 (97).

Commotion in the coach's box meant Clarkson didn't pick up the final hooter.

"Because I didn't hear the siren I thought we'd won it," he said.

It brought back shades of "sirengate" between St Kilda and Fremantle at the same Launceston venue in 2006, but Clarkson was at peace with the call and praised his young charges for their fighting spirit.

"I think the decision's right. The siren went before we were able to knock the ball through," Clarkson said.

"It's the old Maxwell Smart, isn't it? Missed it by that much.

"To be two goals down late in the game and for us to keep fighting it out and find a way to draw the game at that point in time, as I said, if the game goes for a second longer, we win."

The Hawks won the contested possession battle 152-125 and had more inside 50s at 58-49.

It's the second draw in a row for the Giants, who tied 68-all with Geelong in round 15.

The result makes the Giants the first team to draw consecutive matches since 1921.

It also means they slip to second on the ladder behind Adelaide on points differential.

"To be 13 points up with six minutes to go, with all the momentum, and then come home with a draw is disappointing," GWS coach Leon Cameron said.

"It is what it is."

In front of a crowd of 12,156 at University of Tasmania Stadium, the battle of the midfields was the highlight, with the Hawks' Tom Mitchell topping the disposal count with 39, ahead of the Giants' Josh Kelly on 34.

Hawthorn kept pace with their more-fancied rivals to trail 51-42 at the main break.

A rousing five-goal third quarter from Hawthorn gave them a 78-63 lead heading into the final term, which twisted and turned towards a dramatic climax.

GWS booted 34-unanswered points before Luke Breust and then Langford, who was Hawthorn's leading scorer with three majors, kicked goals to level the game.

Big man Jonathon Patton top-scored for GWS with a five goals.