Hawthorn have held off a Fremantle comeback threat to clinch their second AFL premiership in six years, winning 11.11 (77) to 8.14 (62) in front of 100,007 fans.
Brian Lake starred in defence, to more than justify his recruitment from the Western Bulldogs last off-season, captain Luke Hodge again showed himself one of the AFL’s great big-game performers and Jack Gunston followed his preliminary final heroics with another four-goal haul.
It delivered Hawthorn their first flag since 2008 – making two-time premiership players of 10 members of Saturday’s side, including Shaun Burgoyne, who won a flag with Port Adelaide in 2004.
One of those is Lance Franklin, who was again quiet with one goal in what might have been his last game in Hawthorn colours, as he considers a big-money move to Greater Western Sydney.
It also ensured the Hawks would shake the underachievers tag, after near misses in the past two years – upset by 10 points by Sydney in last year’s grand final and falling three points short of Collingwood in a preliminary final in 2011.
It’s another grand final defeat for Dockers coach Ross Lyon, who led St Kilda to the 2009-10 deciders for two losses and a draw, with Fremantle’s former Saints defender Zac Dawson sharing Lyon’s record of four grand finals without a win.
Gunston’s three first-half goals were priceless, as both sides struggled to produce their best early.
The Dockers, playing in the first grand final in the club’s history, were particularly nervy.
They managed just 1.6 to Hawthorn’s 5.5 in the first half.
Midfielder Nathan Fyfe, who had a superb game in most respects, sent two set shots out on the full in the first quarter and missed another chance in the second term.
It took until 12 minutes into the second quarter for Fremantle to kick their first goal, that honour going to Tendai Mzungu, after Fyfe emerged from traffic to deliver a neat pass.
By that stage, the Hawks already had four on the board – two in the first quarter and two early in the second.
After Mzungu’s major, Gunston replied with his third goal, outmarking Zac Dawson in the goalsquare, to put Hawthorn 23 points up at halftime.
No club since Richmond in 1921 had won a grand final after scoring just one major in the first half, but the Dockers threatened to defy history with a third-quarter surge.
They’d been dominating the ruck through giant Aaron Sandilands all game, but started to make it count on the scoreboard.
Midfielders David Mundy, Fyfe, Michael Barlow and Stephen Hill were all prominent as they kicked five of the first seven goals of the third term, including two to captain Matthew Pavlich after a quiet first half and two to goalsneak Michael Walters.
It put Fremantle within three points, although Gunston replied with a clever snap for his fourth late in the quarter to help the Hawks regain a 10-point buffer at the last change.
Isaac Smith added more breathing space five minutes into the last term with a thumping 55m set shot.
Four minutes later, a slick piece of roving and right-foot snap from Luke Breust made the margin four goals and when Bradley Hill, who started the game opposed to brother Stephen, made it a five-goal gap midway through the last term Hawks supporters were in celebration mode.
Lake won the Norm Smith Medal as best afield.
The 31-year-old had stated when traded from the Bulldogs that he was moving to play in a premiership, after being part of three losing preliminary finals with the Dogs.
Jordan Lewis, Josh Gibson, Grant Birchall and Cyril Rioli, who laid seven tackles, were also good for the Hawks.
For the Dockers, tagger Ryan Crowley continued his blanketing jobs on a collection of AFL stars, keeping Sam Mitchell to just 12 touches, with Fyfe and Mundy also among their best.
The premiership was the Hawks’ 11th, all since 1961.
[roar_cat_gal]
More to follow.
Gordo
Guest
44 inside 50's to 45. 22 scoring shots a piece. Hale, Roughy, Rioli and Buddy didn't fire. Pav kicked 3 on Lake and was the 2nd highest goal kicker on the day.
pope paul v11
Guest
Freo made too many errors when not under pressure. Ballantyne going back and not passing to Wright on his own for ages 25 out was atrocious. Ballantyne and Crowley both stuffed up close to goal. Mundey was good.
q
Guest
oooooh but there were two guys who appeared to be booed they were not both bruest please xplain
bryan
Guest
Before the GF,there was a lot of crud talked about "taking out Crowley". During the game,a few of the Hawk's alleged "Hard men" had a go at him,,but the "Grinch" popped straight back up & continued to make life a misery for his chosen victim! :)
bryan
Guest
Domination ,for a winning margin of 15 points? I have seen the Hawks dominate,& in those cases the difference was more like 15 goals!! OK,the Dockers played like Smurfs (no disrespect to an "A" league team with that nickname),but selective umpiring gave Hawthorn advantages which,as a great team,they shouldn't have needed. The Hawks also succumbed to the "yips" to some extent,missing shots on goal that should have been well within their capabilities.
Martyn50
Roar Rookie
The football Gods got back at Fremantle for the lack of respect they showed the game in RD 23 buy throwing the game. First time since RD 21 and 22 that the Dockers had to play 2 weeks in a row
Purple Rain
Guest
Thankyou to the Hawthorn Fans at the game. I stayed to the end and Hawthorn fans in general offered condolences to many of our fans.
Nomad
Guest
I think that was Suban on Mitchell Is Norm Smith best and fairest. Lakes elbow on Walters would get at least points surely
Carna Hawks
Guest
Any comment on Cowley's efforts on Mitchell? At least two different camera angles showing Cowley trying to rearrange Mitchell's face. If he doesn't like Mitchell's face, then maybe give him a gift voucher for botox or something similar. Dank may have a suggestion or two (sarcasm here). Other than that, and the episodes mentioned above, a tense game, but not one for the footy instruction manuals. I must admit that a highlight for me was Josh Gibson's celebrations. Loved it.
Paddo
Roar Rookie
Bruest ....... BRUUUEESSSTT, not boos.
David
Guest
I thought Clarkson and his coaching team were clearly better on the day. Lake started on Pav but Gibson was moved onto him and whilst Pav got a bit of it after half time, Lake was excellent in the second half and repelled many attacks. He is a very good judge of the ball in flight. You also have to wonder why Clarke was subbed out - having 2 ruckmen vs 1 in the last quarter would have been useful (even saw Michael Johnson going for a ruck tap whilst Sandi was resting!!). The Freo coaches didn't seem to be able to settle their players and several of them had games to forget. BTW Stephen Hill had more possessions than his brother but Bradley was much more effective. No guarantee Freo will be there next year - there are several teams that look likely to improve significantly and injuries will (again) play a big part. It is now, officially, cricket season!!!
q
Guest
Ok they may look back for decades at this huge missed opportunity. However I also think they can look back at it as a great opportunity It was their first GF as a team and I think they should not see it as a missed opportunity but one they did well in for a first GF the score was not too bad you know they weren't thrashed at the start of the game I heard may the best team win and as much as I love Freo I think the Hawks are a better team with more experience. The boys will be disappointed of course but I think you gotta loose once to know how to win. The boys should be proud what a great team
q
Guest
hey does anyone know why some of the hawthorn players were booed by everyone when receiving their medals I just though that was disgusting and rude
Distinct
Guest
I hope that the scurilous hyena media and comentators don't attempt to hack Ross Lyon. This argument about him failing in Grand finals is bullshit. he is talented and has made up a strong team effectivelly from knowhere twice. He deserves full credit for what he has achieved and I honestly am a happy Hawthorn man. By the way to all those that like to discredit poor grand final performances, you try to do better. Ballantyne for example will be better for this next year and so will Hill.
Brendan
Guest
Everyone talks about what an astute coach Lyon is but in the four grand finals he has coached in his teams highest score is 68 points hardly enough to win.In each of the games his team has gone missing for a quarter(last qtr 09,first qtrs 10 twice and 13) .Obviously his teams lack goal kickers i dont think he subscribes enough to the time honored mantra bad kicking is bad football. Who knows if Freo will get back they did have some luck in the finals playing both Geelong and Sydney without there leading goal kickers in the finals.Well done to Hawthorn Fremantle did miss four odd goals but the Hawks clunked a few too mainly by Rioli so they were deserved winners.
Distinct
Guest
I cant agree more. Freo fans were terrific and as a Hawk fan its the first time i really felt for the opposition. Freo will be back this will galvanize them and i hope their premiership comes next year. Unless of course Hawthorns in it again.
Geoffo
Guest
Rioli's gift, holding the ball in front of goal, when they hardly paid one all day. Buddies gift, fifty metres when his 1st attempt didn't score. Freo's gift to Hawthorn, 3 out of bounds fro 40 metres. Freo could have won this game. Nerves on the big stage. Time at the MCG, pobably cost them. Couldn't get used to the swirling nature of the wind and seemed to struggle keeping their feet on the surface at times. Will be better next time around.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
I have to disagree. Freo did what they do well which is win plenty of contested ball and apply pressure but their skills were awful throughout. Particularly in the first half they were in their own heads. When Pavlich is spraying shots at goal that infects the whole team and they had the yips. Unfortunately for Freo arguably their 3 most important players - Pav, Sandi and Mcph will all be 32+ next season so they may look back on this missed opp for many years.
Australian Rules
Guest
Stage fright ..?!
Australian Rules
Guest
Freo might have missed chances, but Hawthorn completely dominated this game. Hawthorn out-Freod Freo.