Welcome to greatness. What will be ahead of Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans as they lay it all on the line for a shot at the big one. You can bet on another epic encounter in this game so join our live coverage, blog right here from 7.50pm AEST.
The big story headed into this game is the suspension of Hawthorn gun forward, Lance Franklin. Another out-of-line act from Buddy has the Hawks reeling.
But all is not lost as there is a case to be made that Hawthorn are better without Buddy. That theory will be tested tonight against the best.
The Swans welcome back their impact players Kurt Tippett, Dan Hannebery and Nick Smith who cannot be understated as massive ins for the reigning champions.
This game is a toss of the coin. The teams have been so dominant all year when at full strength that the winner or loser has a very good chance of being in the Grand Final. However, the team that wins will have much more going for them with an easier passage through.
Last week in the clash between the two sides saw the ruckmen for the Swans dominate when they got their chances, while the Hawks forward line had control up front. With Bailey back in and Franklin out that evens the scales somewhat but we know this game will be entirely different from last week.
A match up everyone should be excited to see is the powerful Kurt Tippett against the wise old head of Brian Lake.
Last week, Lake looked very lost at times so perhaps the big body of Tippett will give him a bit more direction. Let’s not forget that Kurt Tippett almost single handedly kicked the Hawks out of the finals last season with a huge prelim.
The last point I would like to make is the Ryan O’Keefe vs Sam Mitchell matchup.
This is the most likely biggest influencing factor on the game. Last week O’Keefe towelled up Mitchell for three quarters before Mitchell put on his big boy shoes and helped the Hawks to victory.
My prediction is a tight one, that goes right to the wire. It may even be a draw and then I’m on the Swans in overtime!
Griffo
Guest
Whoops
Brodie
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Haw: 15.15.105 Syd: 7.9.51 A happy team at Hawthorn wins qualifying final number one over Sydney, quite convincingly in the end. Hodge, Gibson, Mitchell, Sewell and many more were bloody marvelous. Sydney now will face off against either Richmond or Carlton who will be licking their lips after this dismal Sydney effort. It was obvious the Swans carrying injured players into the game hurt them immensly as Hannebery, Jetta and Tippett all looked very ordinary. The three best today were: Best: Josh Gibson 2nd Best: Luke Hodge 3rd Best: Brent Guerra Until next time folks - Twitter - @BrodieChivers
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 4' - Remaining The Hawks take it forward with a mark to Luke Breust with only two kicks. Birchall pin points the leading Breust right in front. He misses to the left. Haw: 14.14.98 Syd: 7.9.51
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 6' - Remaining Jessie White kicks a nice consultation goal for the Swans. The bite has gone out of the game now. Haw: 14.13.97 Syd: 7.8.50
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 8' - Remaining The Hawks still working furiously. Hale has it currently on the wing and goes long where the Hawks crumb and release. Puopolo charges forward and finds Luke Hodge. This would cap off an awesome night for the captain. Behind. Haw: 14.12.96 Syd: 6.8.44
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 11' - Remaining Hawthorn wins the clerance again and have another throw in in their 50. Yep, another GOAL! Luke Breust Haw: 14.11.96 Syd: 6.8.44
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 13' - Remaining The Hawthorn machine keeps going as Burgoyne from 55 goes to the square and Jed Anderson marks over Rampe and Everitt. Gorgeous stuff. Feel the pain Sydney says Hawthorn, GOAL! Haw: 13.11.90 Syd: 6.8.44
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 13' - Remaining The Hawks patiently waiting in the middle as Sydney push everyone back. It's to no Avail though as the big Roughie leads and marks! The Coleman medalist seals the deal! GOAL! Haw: 12.11.84 Syd: 6.8.44
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 15' - Remaining Hawthorn! Anderson on the wing goes to a contest where Breust wins against Malceski and hands over to Hale. Hale steadies and snaps a GOAL! Gee it's hard to see Sydney coming back from here. Haw: 11.11.78 Syd: 6.8.44
Nathan of Perth
Guest
I hate everything
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 15' - Remaining Spangher pushes up the ground and finds Gunston after taking a mark. 60m out Gunston hits Roughie on a great lead! Roughie dishes back off to Gunston on a better angle. From 35 out Gunston GOALS! Haw: 10.11.71 Syd: 6.8.44
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 17' - Remaining Hodge clears the ball out of the back half and goes straight to the boundary for a throw in. Haw: 9.11.65 Syd: 6.8.44
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 17' - Remaining The Swans make the Hawks pay! Hannebery marks and plays on and kicks perfectly to O'Keefe. I'd put my house on this and I'm justified. GOAL! Haw: 9.11.65 Syd: 6.8.44
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 19' - Remaining Hale intercepts the kick in and then finds Anderson 35m out from goal! Anderson in his first final................ shanks left, behind. Haw: 9.11.65 Syd: 5.8.38
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 20' - Remaining Straight away Mitchell to Roughead 40 out. Roughead directly in front........... poster. Haw: 9.10.64 Syd: 5.8.38
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 20' - Remaining Here we go folks! I'm pumped! Ball bounced! Haw: 9.9.63 Syd: 5.8.38
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 20' - Remaining Who's ready for the last quarter? Any predictions? Haw: 9.9.63 Syd: 5.8.38
Brodie
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME Haw: 9.9.63 Syd: 5.8.38 Well the Minor Premiers took control that quarter and appear in control whilst the Swans look tired. TOP GOAL KICKERS HAW: Hill 1, Hale 1, Puopolo 1, Gunston 1, Roughead 1, Lake 1, Shiels 1, Bailey 1, Spangher 1 SYD: Tippett 2, Pyke 1, Rohan 1, Jetta 1 TOP DISPOSALS HAW: Sewell 26, Mitchell 23, Burgoyne 22, Hodge 22, Gibson 22, Guerra 22, Whitecross 19 SYD: Jack, Kennedy 23, Bird 22, Parker 22, O'Keefe 16
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 - 1' - Remaining Again, a throw in on the flank for Hawthorn as Hale gets it out hand balls to Puopolo, he settles and from 40, GOALLLS! Haw: 9.9.63 Syd: 5.8.38
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 - 3' - Remaining A throw in for the Hawks now as Grundy stuffed up big time inside Hawks 50. Malceski wins the clearance but Sewell gets a free 60m out. The Hawks are settling, waiting to attack. Haw: 8.9.57 Syd: 5.8.38