Hawthorn has out-worked blue collar masters Sydney Swans in a 54-point AFL qualifying final mauling at the MCG.
The Hawks work rate was underlined in a desperately lop-sided uncontested possession count of 270 to 172. They ran hard into space, peeled off the contest with effortless ease and hit up their leading targets.
The Hawks, top ranked side in the finals, have moved directly into the preliminary final, where they could be set to get even stronger with the return of stars Lance Franklin (suspension) and Cyril Rioli (injury).
On the other hand, the Swans have a mountain of work to do in the next week to find some winning form. What they served up was a skerrick of the form they showed en route to last year’s premiership.
Scores were level at half time, largely due to the Swans dominance of the centre clearances in the first half.
It was the only facet the Swans bettered the Hawks to that point, but still, it was Hawks rover Sam Mitchell who would have the biggest impact on the half without needing the Lion’s share of clearances. Mitchell could find space in a phone box if it was placed on a football field. He seems to find a way out of traffic where others can’t.
When the Swans did get their hands on the ball in meaningful positions on the ground, their forays into attack came up empty, partly due to their own inefficiency entering the 50, but mainly to do with the intense pressure coming from the Hawks defence.
The half back line of Luke Hodge, Josh Gibson and Brian Lake was like a brick wall. With the Swans winning the centre clearances 15 to nine, much of the Hawks attacking moves came from the work of this experienced trio. Not only their rebounding from the back half, their defensive work was outstanding, keeping Swans tall forwards of Kurt Tippett, Mike Pyke and Jesse White to a minimal impact.
Check out: AFL finals game breakers
Still, the game was up for grabs at the long break after just eight goals were shared between the sides, and two split in a dour second term.
If you thought the second half was going to follow a similar pressure-style of the previous two quarters, you were sadly mistaken.
The Hawks found space everywhere on the ‘G to pile on 11 of the last 14 goals. It was a procession, everything the Hawks touched turned to gold, while the stagnant Swans refused to take the game on, even when they were trailing.
The Hawks booted four goals in the opening 13 minutes of the third from Lake, Max Bailey, David Hale and Liam Shiels to turn the game in their favour.
There were be no stopping the Hawks, who showed their tremendous depth with winners across every line.
Hodge played a real captain’s game. Any ball in his vicinity across half back was gobbled up. Without the ball, he was busy organising his teammates, like a player-coach if you will.
Mitchell was far and away the best on ground, dominant when the game was up for grabs with 29 touches, 10 of which were contested.
The major question heading into the game was who would step up in the absence of ‘Buddy’ Franklin. With 11 individual goalkickers, you could say it was achieved by delegation. The Hawks certainly did not miss their spearhead on this night.
Jarryd Roughead did not have his best outing with 14 possessions, five marks and two goals, modest by a player of his standards, but the likes of Jack Gunston (three goals), David Hale (two), Luke Breust and bearded journeyman Matthew Spangher played their part to ease the pain of Franklin’s absence.
Gunston upheld his reputation as a straight-shooter, making the most of his opportunities, but he worked hard for his chances. The young forward was cat-like with his leads, often presenting a short option to a player just beyond goalkicking range without a Swans defender noticing. You can bet opposition coaches will be spending more time dissecting his game in the coming weeks as he looms as a match-winner for the brown and gold’s.
Hale seemed to grow taller the longer the game went on. He performed the ruck duties with aplomb when Bailey was subbed out, but remained a dangerous target inside attacking 50.
The Hawks skill level was far superior, but it helps when you have the likes of Hodge, Grant Birchall and Brent Guerra in your side.
The happy Hawks will get a week’s rest to prepare for a preliminary final in a fortnight, while the Swans will lick their wounds and front up in the Harbour City next weekend to face the winner of Richmond and Carlton in the semi finals.
AFL qualifying final wash up
QT: Hawthorn 3.4 (22) Sydney 3.3 (21)
HT: Hawthorn 4.7 (31) Sydney 4.7 (31)
3QT: Hawthorn 9.9 (63) Sydney 5.8 (38)
FINAL: Hawthorn 15.15 (105) Sydney 7.9 (51)
Weekly’s best
Hawthorn
Sam Mitchell – Like the Energizer bunny, just keeps going and going and going. The onballer is 30 years old and still out-working most of the players in their early 20s. Have to love his toughness.
Luke Hodge – Commanding presence across half back all night. Played a quarter back-style role to be the Hawks springboard from the defensive half. Experience telling in the big moments.
Jack Gunston – Relishes the chance to step out of Lance Franklin’s shadow. A dead-eye kick for goal, a smart user of the ball and beginning to build a engine to get easier kicks further up the ground.
Sydney
Kieran Jack – It was a stereotypical outing from the co-captain with 11 tackles and nine clearances. He owned the stoppages for the losing side. Had a game-high nine inside 50s, the next best was Hawk Shaun Burgoyne with five.
Craig Bird – A vital cog in the midfield. Willing to go in and win his own ball. Set the example for some of his standoffish team-mates.
Nick Malceski – Under siege for the most part, but cool in a crisis for the Swans. His booming left foot out of heavy traffic was a rare feature on a bleak night for the Swans.
