The Hawthorn Hawks have claimed the 2014 AFL Grand Final, defeating the Sydney Swans by 63-points in front of 99,454 at the MCG.
Hawthorn Captain, Luke Hodge, claimed his second Norm Smith Medal off the back of 35 touches and two goals.
The Hawks led at every change to become the first side to win back-to-back premierships since the Brisbane Lions.
FINAL SCORE:
SYDNEY 11.8 (74)
HAWTHORN 21.11 (137)
The Sydney Swans and Hawthorn Hawks are both hunting for their third AFL premiership in a decade when they meet in the 2014 AFL Grand Final. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:30pm (AEST).
The Swans will start the 2014 Grand Final as favourites having comfortably defeated the North Melbourne Kangaroos last week by 71 points, to reach their second Grand Final in three years.
But that said, you would be brave to ever rule out the Hawks.
They’re going into their third grand final in a row, and enter this match as the reigning premiers.
They will also enter the match with the confidence of knowing they defeated the Swans in their most recent match, a 10-point thriller at the MCG in Round 18.
Former Hawk, Lance Franklin, has been the centre of attention in the lead up to this match as he lines up for Sydney, playing against the team he won a premiership with last year.
If the Swans emerge victorious today, Franklin will become the first player to ever win individual back-to-back premierships by defeating his former side.
However, “Buddy” is not the only big story taking the field today, as Sydney also boast former Hawks Josh P. Kennedy and Ben McGlynn.
Kennedy and McGlynn are key cogs in the Swans’ squad, and both high impact players that will be inspired to put in big showings against the club that let them slip.
Perhaps the biggest story of the day though will be what comes from Hawthorn’s selection policy.
The Hawks have dropped Jon Simpkin and Jon Ceglar, and brought in Cyril Rioli and Ben McEvoy, neither of whom have played at AFL level in more than a month.
It’s a risky move, one that may pay off with ultimate prize, or cost the Hawks their shot at back-to-back flags.
It was just two years ago that these two teams met in the 2012 Grand Final, with the Premiership that year decided by less than two goals.
I suspect we’ll be in for another close one again today.
Prediction
It’s a tough call with both teams strongly in contention for the win.
One could make a strong argument for either side and although the Swans are ahead in the betting, I don’t see a clear favourite.
I’m going to go with my gut and tip the Hawks.
Hawthorn by 6 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:30pm (AEST).
bryan
Guest
Vacuuming Swan Poo? :)
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Very hard to beat us when we are at full strength and play at our best, and duly we won the flag in what was one of the most powerful displays seen in a decider. With us dismantling a very accomplished Sydney team, and laying them to waste Bad luck to them, and congratulations on their amazing season in 14 Looking forward, we are a huge chance at a hat trick in 15, with our Buddy bounty still to spend, and some very good young kids in the wings that will be regulars next year :)
Don Freo
Guest
That just shows how much Freo is better than Sydney.
Cameron
Roar Guru
You clearly missed Geelong vs Port then.
Ben Gibbon
Roar Guru
Thanks bud.
big dallo
Guest
Well said Steveng. As a swans and eels fan I am jumping on the South's bandwagon. They deserve the win this year for sure. Best of luck to them and bring on next year for the mighty swans.
bryan
Guest
And the award for sparkling repartee goes to---------- big dallo !!!!
Josh
Expert
Thanks also to everyone who joined me on this blog and my many others for this year. It's been a great 2014 season... very happy to have notched up 500,000+ reads on The Roar this year and here's hoping we'll make 2015 bigger and better (and more North Melbourne-y). Thanks very much to all those who've stopped by to read, and especially those who've dropped in to comment and have a bit of a chat. You've been great! Thanks everyone. Will be covering the Free Agency and Trade periods pretty extensively over the next few weeks, and live-blogging the AFL Draft come November. See you all then! For now, farewell, and congrats again to the Hawks!
Josh
Expert
Well folks I think that'll just about rap it up for me today. Congratulations to the Hawks on a magnificent win.
Knoxy
Guest
Gene seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth ever since Geelong were knocked out in the semi final.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Don’t Worry Be Happy Swanie Fans, as the song goes….wait till next year the Swans will consolidate and the Swans with Franklin will exterminate all before them. The Swans were too lethargic and peaked too soon and treated this GF as a formality, they have a few players that are over it and the sooner that they retire the better it will be for the Swans. The Swans now have to regroup for the betterment of 2015. Don't despair next year will be a Swans year that is how the Swans do things. All you Swan fans come and support a real team the Rabbits for the GF of the NRL next week and that will lift your spirits and you will have something to cheer about. lol
Josh
Expert
Phil
Guest
A champion team always beats a team of champions.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Well done Hawks. Great effort and thoroughly deserved.
New York Hawk
Guest
Maybe Swans supporters will show Hawthorn some respect next time. The tokenism by Swans supporters saying they thought it would be close was sickening. Swans will only get stronger and learn from this so that will make 2015 very tough for everyone else.
Sportnut
Guest
Yeah!!!!
New York Hawk
Guest
Yep, that was superb. Never been prouder of them team. Can't see any reason why a three-peat is not a chance!
Josh
Expert
Jake
Guest
Pretty much stirring Gene. But hawks did manage back 2 back, something cats could never do
Barneythecrab
Guest
Money buys you...NOTHING.