Hawthorn were able to dodge a bullet and exorcise their mental demons in getting over nemeses Geelong in their third preliminary final in a row decided by less than a goal.
They were spooked again for large portions of this match, but were superb in the last quarter when it mattered, despite minimal contributions from their three most damaging forwards, Jarryd Roughead, Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli.
In the case of Franklin and Rioli, they can turn it on in patches and win games, but against the manic pressure of Fremantle, they would want to be switched on from the start.
It’s a momentous occasion for the Dockers. They have made a grand final in their 19th season. It’s been a long haul for this club, who for so long have been the laughing stock of the competition and also highly irrelevant.
Their recruiting at the start was terrible and it took until 1999 before they selected a future champion.
That was Matthew Pavlich, who gets the chance in game 291 to try and be a premiership player.
I don’t think anyone, except Hawks supporters, would begrudge him that honour if it goes Freo’s way on Saturday.
He will be very important, as usual, in Fremantle’s quest to win and his likely battle with Hawthorn full back Brian Lake is set to be a highlight.
The Hawks also should be more than concerned about the Dockers’ small forwards Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Walters and Chris Mayne.
They have kicked more than 110 goals between them and if Hawthorn has a weakness, it’s a lack of quality small defenders to play that classic lock down role like Nick Smith of Sydney, Geelong’s Cam Guthrie and Tiger Stephen Morris.
Brent Guerra is better suited as a rebounding defender and was pivotal for the Hawks against the Cats with his beautiful foot skills, but too much space can’t be afforded to Walters and Ballantyne as they are potential match winners.
Taylor Duryea and Kyle Cheney could play defensively down back and one of them might be a suitable replacement for the injured Brendan Whitecross, although Shane Savage, Jed Anderson and Jon Simpkin will all be in the mix as well.
There’s also the big issue (emphasising big with a capital B) of giant Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands.
Sam Mitchell, who dominated the clearances for the Hawks in the preliminary final, will need to read Sandilands’ taps and palms as it’s going to be hard for David Hale and Max Bailey to win regularly against the competition’s tallest ruckman.
Talking of Mitchell, he has to be stopped, plain and simple! He had 38 disposals against the Cats and was supreme in the last quarter fightback.
It was surprising Geelong coach Chris Scott didn’t tag him, as he was allowed to do as he liked in that final term.
Ross Lyon is all about defence and restriction, so there’s no way he will allow Mitchell to roam free like that.
However, Alistair Clarkson is also tactically astute and may consider putting Mitchell on the half back line, where he has played so much good footy this year.
Does Lyon decide to take Crowley out of the midfield and use him as a defensive half forward on Mitchell, if the former skipper doesn’t start in the middle? I think he has to.
Footy purists will no doubt be hoping that happens and should that eventuate, the Hawks need to protect their prolific midfielder by ensuring Crowley doesn’t get into Mitchell’s head or use the illegal tactics he has been accused of, especially early on.
The game has changed since the 1970s and 80s, with the introduction of cameras on the field everywhere, but this is the main event of the season. So doesn’t the win at all costs attitude have to apply and for the Hawks to avenge last year’s grand final loss, don’t they require Mitchell to have a major influence?
There are other likely fascinating match-ups, such as Fremantle’s best tall defenders, Luke McPharlin and Michael Johnson with the support of Zac Dawson, to take on Franklin, Roughead and Jack Gunston, who starred for the Hawks in the preliminary final.
This grand final pits polar opposite playing styles, the attacking, pristine foot skills of Hwathorn against the Dockers’ manic pressure.
So there are endless possibilities, which is exactly what we want for the last match of a controversial season.
Friday night’s preliminary final will be hard to beat, but I have a feeling the grand final will give it a real run for its money!
Will
Guest
Trent Croad retired at the end of 2009.
Will
Guest
Bailey at his best can equal Sandilands.... for maybe 2 quarters at the very best! :\ Sandilands will get the best of him, and I wonder what the boys in brown and gold will do at the last change as they usually sub out Bailey in exchange for speed in the last quarter. Hawks midfield will NEED to be at their brutal best. *Hawks Supporter*
Jax
Guest
Not your best post Samuel, it will be a cracker of a game
Jax
Guest
20m wider makes it significantly harder for Freo to play their natural gaThea's there is more ground to cover. The extra 20m is to the Hawks advantage on first look but Freo have much more run which has the potential to neutralise the Hawks perceived advantage. Should be a cracking game. IF the Hawks bring their A-game they should win But anything can happen on game day!
Jax
Guest
Freo are currently playing as one single unit in synergy while the Hawks haven't been and that's the danger the Hawks face. They are outstanding on their day but will they be on song this Sat?
Jax
Guest
Agreed on Crowley and the Freo mids. They are all peaking at the right time of the year and they are serious midfielders when they are on song like they are atm.
Jax
Guest
Ablett's coach Bomber Thompson was burned out and he had a genuine difference of opinion with Gary at the time, irrelevant and unfair comparision! Gary had to leave Geelong to show the AFL just how good he is, he would never have been given the captaincy under Thompson and Bomber resigned after Ablett had left for GC. If Bomber wasn't coach and Ablett was given some love he probably never would have left, that was Bombers fault IMO!
mlesliec
Guest
spot on
mlesliec
Guest
it is a huge difference, to suggest this makes it easier to tag players defies logic, if a player can out run his opponent he loses the tag, if there is more space to do so then it must be easier , in addition the superior disposal skills of hawthorn become more evident the larger the playing surface
mlesliec
Guest
there is no doubting the pressure mounted by freo on sydney , however its apples and oranges in comparison to suggest that hawthorn cannot beat that pressure and remove it all together come the last quarter. if freos pressure was so steadfast and unbeatable then why have they lost games, i think there has been way to much overkill regarding them beaitng a half fit sydney outfit
Balthazar
Guest
Not the point. Matter of sheer strength as well as size (and don't unerestimate how much 6cms mean in the contest). Have you seen how very good ruckmen like Mumford have been dominated by him? No disrespect to Hawthorn overall but your rucks are not your strongest suit and I cannot see Bailey competing unless someone goes third up.
Justin
Guest
Does anyone know how much the odds were for freo to win the flag at start of year ? And will Trent Croad play another season with Freo if they win ?
Bassgumby25
Guest
josh; I completely concur (see my response to another article by mastermind5991) earlier today & ignore the phone based typos! http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/09/25/your-ultimate-guide-to-the-2013-afl-grand-final/ I believe, as many of the experts stated during the season, that Hawthorn's best is the highest benchmark in the league... They simply need to play top footy for 2.5qurters plus (refer to 2012 GF). I certainly don't wish to sound like a Monday Expert, however, given the 'constriction ethos' that both Swans & Freo are masters of delivering against quality opponents, Hawthorn will again need to employ many strategies to negate some of the Hazes' dominating facets, but most critically, must do this with charges from the senior leadership group, as they did in Q4 in the prelim; just MORE FREQUENTLY DURING THE MATCH! The big question for me is: Who replaces Brendan Whitecross, to assist with the game plan to nullify the much heralded Sam Mitchell tag by Crowley etc. As a MF Hawks fan of 30+ years, this is probably the hardest GF to have confidence the boys can get the job done.. but, fortune favours the brave...and preparedness is always key! I plead to you oh Mighty Fighting HAWKS, be bloody. bold and resolute!
josh
Roar Rookie
Will Freo be allowed to wear the home jumper on the dais if they win?
hawker
Guest
not under the new rules were ruckman can't engage before ball ups and throw ins
hawker
Guest
What midfielder and defender could we possibly get ? Have you seen the pool of other Free Agents ? Its very small and no one worthy of picking up Franklin's bags.
josh
Roar Rookie
20 metres is a huge difference.
New York Hawk
Guest
In a game where if you are 3% off your best you will get flogged, a 20% wider ground is a ton of difference to consider. Especially if you are playing against a team that can kick very long and very accurately.
ren
Guest
I believe you mean poo and wee. On saturday this will be callled camouflage as it will wide the stains of fear!!! go freo!
jase
Guest
Dont mean to ruin your wingeing but Freo will be wearing white. The ugliness will come from the brown and gold.