Sydney Swans returns to the MCG for an enticing grand final rematch with Hawthorn. The stage is set for another fierce contest with both teams coming off strong wins last week. We’ll have live scores and commentary on the action from 7.40pm AEST.
Despite both teams dropping only four premiership points so far this season. Hawthorn has really had to earn its wins.
After a first round loss to Geelong, the Hawks have overcome the likes of West Coast, Collingwood, Fremantle, North Melbourne and Adelaide – all teams that played finals in 2012.
Sydney’s ride has been comparatively easy, playing four games in Sydney and facing only one team that currently sits in the top eight.
They’ve also played away games in Wellington and Bellerive – so this will be the first time this year that they can expect a hostile reception.
Sydney are without Rhyce Shaw, Alex Johnson (season) and Lewis Roberts-Thompson, and their defensive stocks will undoubtedly be tested by the Hawks’ forward line.
Adding to their woes is the loss of Shane Mumford, who pulled up sore after Thursday’s final session.
Hawthorn are without Matt Suckling and Ryan Schoenmakers for the season, and will be eagerly awaiting the return of the mercurial Cyril Rioli,
The Swans should fear a Buddy backlash after the Hawks’ talisman has been put under the spotlight this week after being held goalless in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2005.
The last time Lance Franklin faced this much on-field scrutiny was only a year ago when his accuracy in front of goal had his braver critics scoffing.
On that occasion he hauled the media off his back by kicking 13 goals against North Melbourne in Tasmania.
The Swans will be conscious of this reaction, and have made it very clear this week that they’re not interested in reminding Buddy of his barren run.
The midfield contest will even have neutral spectators licking their lips, such are the riches that both Hawthorn and Sydney boast.
Hawthorn will be looking to match Sydney for contested possessions and hoping that one of Sydney’s best contested-ball winners, Josh Kennedy, doesn’t further traumatise the club that let him go.
Watch out for Dan Hanneberry and Luke Hodge in particular, both were excellent last week and their run and efficiency with the ball could be key in what is bound to be a close contest.
I think this will be another gruelling struggle that’s decided in the last five minutes.
Sydney by two points.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Thanks for the coverage
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Hodge was awesome for the Hawks in Brian Lake's 200th game. he collected 32 touches and a goal, but most importantly the way he delivered the ball to his forwards was sublime. Roughead was also dominant with 27 touches and four goals. Longmire will feel he has a lot of work to do as Sydney was never really in this contest. Their forward line looks like it needs a Kurt Tippett, who's only got a month to wait until his 11-week suspension ends. Especially as Goodes looked a lot more comfortable when he moved into the midfield. Thanks for joining me! 'til next time!
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Full Time disposals: Sydney: Kennedy 30, Goodes 27, Jack 23. Hawthorn: Hodge 32, Mitchell 30, Roughead 27, Gibson 27.
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Full Time Goals: Hawthorn: Roughead 4, Franklin 3, Gunston 3, Hale 3, Breust 1, Bailey 1, Hodge 1, Burgoyne 1, Osborne 1. Sydney: Kennedy 2, McGlynn 2, O’Keefe 2, Parker 1, Pyke 1, Goodes 1, White 1, Lamb 1, Bolton 1.
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Buddy launches one long and it's rushed through for a behind. Behind Hawthorn Hawthorn have made a real statement with this win tonight, and Sydney looked pretty far off the pace! Full Time Sydney 12.10 (82) Hawthorn 18.11 (119)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Lamb intercepts nicely, but his kick on the run from just inside 50 never looked a chance. Behind Sydney Breust is unleashed by Hale and he puts one on a plate for Burgoyne. Goal Hawthorn Q4 – 03.00 left Sydney 12.10 (82) Hawthorn 18.10 (118)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Hawthorn look to slow the pace, Buddy bursts into an open goal and somehow misses! Possibly the miss of the season! Behind Hawthorn Sydney break and O'Keefe is found with an open goal, he does the trick. Goal Sydney If there was any hope for Sydney, it quickly vanished. Hawthorn wins the centre clearance and the ball ends up with Osborne who dribbles it home. Goal Hawthorn Hawthorn by 31 Q4 – 05.30 left Sydney 12.9 (81) Hawthorn 17.10 (112)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Jack surges through the middle and picks out White. he goes back and kicks well from 35m out right in front. Goal Sydney Sydney breaks again and McGlynn finds Goodes who snaps beautifully over his left shoulder. Goal Sydney Q4 – 08.00 left Sydney 11.9 (75) Hawthorn 16.9 (105)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Roughead dribbles one from the pocket that just misses to the left of the goals. Behind Hawthorn He gets a second chance after marking 20m out on a slight angle and he slots it! Goal Hawthorn Q4 – 09.00 left Sydney 9.9 (63) Hawthorn 16.8 (104)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Bolton wins a free in the Swans' forward 50. He sprays it badly though and only scores a point. Behind Sydney Hawthorn turn it over and McVeigh picks out McGlynn, who can't make them pay. Behind Sydney Hawthorn breaks and the ball falls to Lewis 30m out, who swivels round and bends one on his left. Score review! It initially looked good and was deemed a goal by the goal umpire. The audio given on the review suggested that the goal would stand, and a behind has been given - disaster, chaos and confusion reigns. Behind Hawthorn Q4 – 11.15 left Sydney 9.9 (63) Hawthorn 15.8 (98)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Hawthorn have activated their sub Simpkin. Roughead works off Goodes and takes a mark 40m out on a slight angle! He kicks for his fourth, but this one stays to the left of the big sticks! Behind Hawthorn Sydney breaks through Bird, he finds McVeigh who shows great poise to pick out Bolton in the forward 50. He goes back and drills it! Goal Sydney! Q4 – 13.15 left Sydney 9.7 (61) Hawthorn 15.7 (97)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Reid has moved back into the forward line after a stint down back and is getting his hands on the ball now. Goodes finds Jed lamb, and the youngster kicks well from just inside the forward 50. Goal Sydney Q4 – 16.00 left Sydney 8.7 (55) Hawthorn 15.6 (96)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Hale is killing the Swans here. Pyke misjudges one slightly and hale punces to mark again. And he kicks truly again! Goal Hawthorn Q4 - 19.00 left Sydney 7.7 (49) Hawthorn 15.6 (96)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
We're all set here for the final quarter! Sydney have taken off Mattner and activated their sub, Jed Lamb.
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Disposals: Sydney: Kennedy 24, Jack 17, Goodes 17, Jetta 17. Hawthorn: Hodge 28, Gibson 21, Mitchell 21, Birchall 21.
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Three-Quarter Time Goals: Hawthorn: Franklin 3, Roughead, 3, Gunston 3, Hale 2, Breust 1, Bailey 1, Hodge 1. Sydney: Kennedy 2, McGlynn 2, Parker 1, Pyke 1, O’Keefe 1.
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
McVeigh finds Goodes and he chips the ball into an open goalsquare where an unmarked Parker awaits. He dribbles it home. Goal Sydney Three Quarter Time - Hawthorn won that quarter by one point. Sydney 7.7 (49) Hawthorn 14.6 (90)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Richards spoils his own man, only for the ball to fall to the Hawks. Hale is picked out again, this time 25m out and a marginally better angle. He goes back and slots it again! Goal Hawthorn Q3 – 01:00 left Sydney 6.7 (43) Hawthorn 14.6 (90)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Hawthorn seems ready to lift whenever challenged and they do again. Hodge finds Hale 30m out on a slight angle and he goes back and slots it. Goal Hawthorn! Q3 – 04:00 left Sydney 6.7 (43) Hawthorn 13.6 (84)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
The ball spills out to Kennedy in the Swans' forward 50. Kennedy snaps over his shoulder on his right from 25m out and kicks his second. Goal Sydney Q3 – 05:00 left Sydney 6.7 (43) Hawthorn 12.6 (78)