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The best two teams have made the grand final for 2014, but if Luke Hodge hadn’t made that smother inside the last minute, Port Adelaide would be in and would have deserved it.
Hawthorn got jittery in the end, but survived their third close preliminary final in a row to get a crack at back-to-back flags for just the second time.
Sydney, on the other hand, cruised in proving far too good for North Melbourne, who did well to make it to the last four after missing out on September last year.
The Swans’ three muskateers, the key forwards in Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett and Adam Goodes booted 12 goals between them. They were sensational and will obviously test the Hawks’ tall defenders.
There will be some wonderful one-on-one battles, with Brian Lake likely to get Tippett and Josh Gibson taking on his great mate, Buddy, who just fills you with excitement every time he approaches the footy.
The fact he is playing for premiership glory against all of his mates and old team just adds to the intrigue.
Goodes, in game 350, turned back the clock and how fitting would it be if he was to call an end to a great career with another flag on Saturday? Ben Stratton should take him.
There are a couple of feel good stories for the Swans too, with Gray Rohan finally showing why he was taken as a first round draft pick having recovered from that horrific broken leg and Ben McGlynn, who missed the 2012 premiership through injury. He has had a stellar season and is a significant factor as to why Sydney has had the season they’ve had.
At the other end, Hawthorn’s talls are also going to pose problems for the Swans. If there is a weakness with John Longmire’s men, it could be quick movement inside their defensive 50 exposing key defenders, Ted Richards, Heath Grundy and Dane Rampe one out.
Jarryd Roughead kept the Hawks in it early in the prelim against Port and could be a match winner along with Gunston, who may be opposed by the shorter Rampe. That’s where Sam Reid may come in and play as a third tall back.
The Hawks also have a conundrum regarding who plays as the second ruckman/forward to support David Hale, which will also stretch Sydney. Jon Ceglar performed that role against Port, but Ben McEvoy after three best on ground performances in the VFL for Box Hill was a last minute withdrawal from the grand final, which indicates he is right in the mix to return for Saturday.
Cyril Rioli will play as Hawthorn instructed Box Hill to leave him off the ground for the last quarter of the VFL grand final, despite the Hawks struggling for fit men on the bench as Footscray ran over the top.
Nick Smith will take him and that will be an absorbing battle that will help decide the match.
Then there’s Sydney’s All Australian attacking half back, Nic Malceski. You would think the dynamic defensive small forward specialist Paul Puopolo will be required to restrict his influence.
Both teams have outside run, with Isaac Smith and Brad Hill leading the way for the Hawks and Lewis Jetta, Gary Rohan and to a lesser extent Dan Hanneberry doing it for the Swans.
Luke Breust is one of three Hawks to kick more than 50 goals and it will be fascinating to see who plays on him. In an ideal world it would be Nick Smith, if Cyril doesn’t start. If he does, maybe Rohan or Rhys Shaw.
For the veteran Hawthorn supporter, a romantic match-up would be Will Langford, who looks set to keep Brad Sewell out on Josh Kennedy. Liam Shiels may have to guard the competition’s most improved, Luke Parker. What a season he has had. He is already an elite talent.
Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis need to be looked after as well for the Hawks with Harry Cunningham getting one job and either Kieran Jack or Jarrad McVeigh the other.
It’s mouthwatering all over the ground, but it still depends on the tall forwards. It won’t be the shootouts of 1972 or 1989, because both coaches are too smart for that and will employ plenty of defensive coaching nous when required, but expect the forwards to decide the result.
It should be tight, but Sydney might have more firepower and I just feel that Buddy is ready to burst again. Oh! Wouldn’t that be something?
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