This week I could have written about Richmond’s continued ability to find some form, which would have coach Damien Hardwick a little less stressed about his future.
About how Adelaide have suddenly become a serious finals contender, and questioning whether Collingwood will miss the finals for the first time since 2005.
Or how one man cannot maketh a team, yet when he is the son of the man they called ‘God’, the hole he leaves is massive, and the Suns’ hopes of an historic first finals appearance in 2014 is looking about as likely as Fitzroy returning.
But really, there was only one story on the weekend.
So often matches which are highly hyped and loudly trumpeted as a grand final preview or the clash of the season have a habit of not living up to the pre-game expectations. But not this one.
Sydney versus Hawthorn promised so much, and delivered.
If you were a supporter of the winners you smiled all the way home, and awoke the next morning with great feelings about 2014. But, even if you were a fan of the beaten team, you still walked away knowing your team is one of the best, that they have improvement on that performance, and they were only a couple of kicks short of victory.
But if you were a fan of neither, then this game also delivered. It was an enthralling contest with so many subplots, twists and turns, ebbs and flows, and, putting your own favouritism – or perhaps even hatred – of either of these two teams to one side, if you are a lover of footy, you have to agree the Swans and Hawks would provide a gripping grand final.
Judging by what was on show at the MCG on Saturday night, barring disasters and vital injuries, these two have to be short-priced to meet again on the final Saturday in September.
The Hawks really are a team capable of going back-to-back. Despite missing Brian Lake, Brad Sewell, Cyril Rioli, and Matt Spangher, they were still able to not only match the Swans, but come back from a seemingly dire position in the third quarter when they trailed by 22, to win by 10.
While they are big outs for the Hawks, the Swans too were missing some troops, with Rhyce Shaw and most notably Dan Hannebery sidelined.
The midfield was the one area where the Hawks, with their superior run, got on top, particularly late in the game. Hannebery – who had averaged 32 possessions a game in the seven games prior to his ankle injury against Port in Round 13 – was the vital missing link for the Swans.
To come back from four goals down in the second half was a tremendous effort and will do wonders for the confidence of the Hawthorn players. Put most of the other teams in the competition in that spot against the Swans this season and the result would have been ugly. But as coach Alastair Clarkson said, their “resilience and perseverance just to hang in there when things weren’t working out for us too well early in the third quarter” was crucial.
In the end the margin was 10, just enough for the Swans to maintain top spot on the ladder, just ahead of the Hawks, positions they will still be calling home at the end of the regular season.
But back to Saturday night, and it’s kind of ironic the margin was 10, identical to the margin when the Swans upset the Hawks in the 2012 grand final. And, just as it was back in 2012, on Saturday one team might have boasted the big names and possibly possessed the most talent, the other worked harder and was more committed. And just as it was back in 2012, the hard workers got the job done.
People love the stats, and quite often too much is read into them. Looking at the stats from Saturday and you will see – just like the scoreboard – there wasn’t much between the teams. Each had 29 scoring shots, there was little in the clearances, 35-33 to the Hawks. The Hawks had 44 more disposals, and 6 more inside 50s, while the Swans just won the contested possessions 143-138, and had 18 more tackles than Hawthorn.
One interesting stat from the game was the one per centers. Back in Round 8, when the Swans won by 19, they also won the one per center category by 63-40.
While not as dominant a victory in the statistical category to the Hawks, on Saturday night they also won the one per centers, 62-54.
While the Hawks should be brimming with confidence following their thoroughly deserved victory, the Swans wouldn’t be too heartbroken.
They also did what they do best and never gave in, fighting back late from a large deficit to keep the contest alive until the dying minutes, and they will take a lot out of the clash.
A number of their key players weren’t at their best, admittedly partly due to great Hawthorn defensive assignments, but there is room for improvement.
The loss also takes the heat off in terms of winning streaks. With every win, you are one game closer to a loss, and imagine taking an 18 game winning streak into the finals, or even perhaps then a 20 game streak into the grand final.
So both got something out of it, and so did we as spectators. It whet the appetite for the finals, and who knows, the Swans and Hawks could be the new big rivalry of the AFL.
New York Hawk
Guest
Hilarious.so true!
New York Hawk
Guest
Here you go again Gene. To be overrated, one must be, at some point, rated. And no one rates Shoenmakers. He is the perennial whipping boy of Hawks supporters and no other team's up porters rate him. So please explain how he is overrated? I think he was progressing really well before his knee injury, as only Hawkins got hold of him in the year prior to that, but has been back to his old ways since returning.
Cat
Roar Guru
Whats your definition of 'roll' axle?
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
More to the point, this is one of the closest seasons in memory with it bring the first time at this stage of the comp with 5 sides with over 12 wins for the season. Also, people were talking up Freo 3 weeks ago, one less and they come crumbling back down? Write your opinion, but to say that it is exclusively these two teams is an illusion and insult to the teams so so close to them.
Sancho
Guest
What's the AAA category? Whether he is good at vehicle maintenance aswell?? ;)
That's life
Guest
I am a dyed in the wool Hawks supporter and I cringe every time the ball goes near Shoey. Does he have pics of Al he doesn't want released? For about 3 years now I have questioned his eyesight, especially at night. It is nice to see that he has bulked up a bit, however he still seems to be unable to read the flight of the ball. From there, it all goes pear shaped. He is too easily bumped off the ball, he misses the ball when going the punch, and he panics regularly and picks out the opposition with silly kick. Playing up forward he does seem a bit more at ease but really, although tall. he does not seem to be well suited down back.
Penster
Guest
Ditto. As much as it pains me to say it, but Sydney needed that loss on Saturday night. That many unbroken wins is unsustainable for players psychologically, physically. They are the team to beat - at this stage - for me, have plenty of depth. Saw them against Port, who lost marginally and both looked pretty lethal. Freo seem to have dropped off. Geelong is off the radar up here in Sydney where we only hear about the Swans, so I'm looking forward to them playing the Hawks and having a good gander at the form.
Penster
Guest
Gene. Go back to bed.
Frank R
Roar Rookie
I agree. To those who think the game was played at an ordinary standard: just think of some of the magic, sublime moments Bruest provided. It was worth watching the game just to see him play.
The Big Fish
Guest
Collingwood supporter who went to the game. It was good but not great. Geelong v Hawthorn where Hawkins kicked a goal after the siren was better. Hawthorn midfield did a job on Sydney's. Must admit one person I was disappointed with was Tippet. Despite the goals. I think he can be runoff too easily. Could be an Achilles heel if the mid field is slightly down. Was impressed with of Hawthorn speedsters. They looked good.
Macca
Guest
Jack waht sort of an aopinion site would this be if 5 weeks out from the finals everyone just agreed any number of teams could win the premiership this year depending on any number of factors? Why don't we all just wait until the 28th of September to make our opinions known.
Macca
Guest
Port
Macca
Guest
You got me back on track, ROFL! You clearly misread the context of my comments. Admit it mate you ballsed up, you had a crack at me for going back into ancient history when in fact that history only hurt my argument - the least you can do is be man enough to fess up and cop t on the chin.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
I agree with both you and Gene. My Swans, while I will push them dearly, are not the only team in the comp capable of a Grand Final win. Similarly, Hawks are not the only team that can match them. Any top 5 team could easily beat the Hawks or Swans on the day. As long as you get top 4, you have every right to claim some sort of weight on the pointy end of September. In the end, in the finals, one screwup and you can be out. Both Hawks and the Swans could go crashing down in the Prelims, or even both drop the Qualifying and then the Semi. I'm sure 2-3 weeks ago it was Swans and Freo dominating at the top. Suddenly, Freo are missing after losing one game while the Hawks are being talked up once more as one of the only premiership threats. Wait..what? People get a grip. I'm not saying it won't be Swans v Hawks GF, but the only possible outcome? That's an insult to the other teams equal on wins or only a game behind them.
Macca
Guest
Tigers
Don Freo
Guest
I've got you back on track. My job is done.
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
:-) I spend more time explaining my comments than actually commenting haha I was referring to me giving a lesson on months, not you. I never said anything about assumptions, just assessments. Anyone with a bit of knowledge can make some assessments and given where the two teams in question are at in comparison to each other and in comparison to other teams in the top 4, I would say it is fair to say they are tracking pretty well. On GF pace.
Axle an the guru
Guest
If i could Dalgety id put a carton on the line with you right now.
Macca
Guest
Are you there Don? I stayed in the now and you disappeared?
Balthazar
Guest
It's a comment Peter, not a lesson. Possibly a bit too subtle obviously but my point was that up to the completion of the first week of the finals last year it was a lay down misere that it would be Hawks v Geelong GF. And no. It is too early to make any assumptions. injuries, loss of key players, return of key players etc etc