Saturday, September 25, 2014 is a day no Sydney Swans fan will want to remember.
Having entered the grand final as seemingly the best side all season, the Swans saved their worst for last as they were beaten to the tune of 63 points by Hawthorn, who proved once and for all that there was life after Lance Franklin.
Buddy had left the Hawks at the end of the 2013 season to take up a nine-year, multi-million dollar contract with the Swans and while he was slow to get going in his first year in the Harbour City, he would eventually prove his worth in the side that won its first minor premiership since 1996 and claim his third Coleman Medal.
When the Swans and Hawks set up last year’s grand final showdown, it shaped as one of the most anticipated deciders yet as either Buddy had the chance to become the first man in a very long time to win consecutive premierships with two different clubs, or the Hawks would become the first side since the Brisbane Lions in 2001-2-3 to successfully defend a flag.
While the Swans ended up being on the wrong end of the worst grand final defeat by a minor premier since Collingwood lost to Melbourne by 57 points in 1926, it wasn’t all that bad if you consider the performances of two individual players.
Franklin kicked four goals while Josh Kennedy was their most prolific ball winner, but in the end the Hawks’ hunger and desperation ultimately proved to be the telling story.
By winning, the Hawks not only avenged their shock 2012 grand final loss to the Swans in which they started as favourites after having dominated during the regular season, they also joined the Geelong Cats (2007, 2009 and 2011) and the Brisbane Lions (2001-2-3) in winning three flags since the turn of the millennium.
Eight months on and this Saturday night’s showdown between the Hawks and Swans will be the first time they have met since last year’s decider, which is now officially history as far as both clubs are concerned.
The Swans, who appear to have well and truly moved on from their grand final humiliation last year, have dismissed the hype surrounding the upcoming match, with coach John Longmire saying that “grand final replays really don’t exist”.
While nothing will be on offer for the winner, a victory for the Swans, which would be their first over the Hawks in a regular season match at the MCG since 2007, could go a long way towards healing the scars of last September’s epic failure.
The club has started this season with five wins and two losses, and were at their absolute best in the second half as they put the Geelong Cats to the sword by 43 points at ANZ Stadium last week.
That has followed on from victories over Essendon, Port Adelaide, the GWS Giants and Melbourne, while the two losses came against Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs in consecutive weeks, in Rounds 4 and 5.
However, they will have to up their game against the Hawks if they are to avenge last year’s crushing defeat, which was an anti-climax to what was otherwise a successful season last year for the red and white.
Alastair Clarkson’s men have been slow to get going, with the Hawks yet to win consecutive matches in 2015. However, their four wins have come at an average margin of 74.25 points, including a 105-point demolition of Melbourne last weekend.
Their three losses have come by less than ten points, including those by two points to Essendon, eight to Port Adelaide and ten to GWS in Rounds 2, 4 and 6 respectively.
It could be proof enough that the Hawks are only human beings after all and that they’re not going to be at their absolutely dominant best every week, even though the nature in which they have won their four matches would suggest otherwise.
Skipper Luke Hodge will miss the match as he serves the final week of a three-match suspension incurred for striking North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow in Round 5.
However, the premiers will get vice-captain Jordan Lewis following his judiciary-enforced fortnight off for striking Todd Goldstein in that same match.
Lewis’ return will be timely for the Hawks, who must win if they are to revive their bid for a rare premiership hat-trick. It has been a strangely inconsistent start to the season for the Hawks, but this Saturday night’s match will present them a golden opportunity to win consecutive matches for the first time this season.
As for the Swans, a win will keep them entrenched in the top four and with matches against Carlton, the Gold Coast Suns and North Melbourne to come before their Round 12 bye, they couldn’t be well placed for another tilt at the premiership come September.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
In regards to behaviour at the footy, I had a chuckle last week at two women who chatted away and barely watched the actual footy. Waste of their money.
EddyJ
Guest
Just looking at the selected teams, and both a very strong, Hawthorn looking more stronger and more complete. But what does that mean? West Coast get lambasted for being the flat-track bullies, but Hawthorn's performance in 2015 is more reflective of that. Huge wins against Bulldogs, North Melbourne and Melbourne – only the North Melbourne match was a surprise blow-out. But the worst news is in the losses: Port Adelaide, Essendon and Western Sydney. Port and Essendon aren't top notch in 2015, the Giants are improving, but not yet a solid top side. So, they haven't really played a great team yet, but the match will be the first real test of where they're heading in 2015. As for the Swans, they've been spluttering along somewhat and, even though they've already played a top side (Fremantle), this will be another test to see how they'll be travelling in 2015. Prediction? Another blow-out, but this time the Swans will win.
AB
Guest
Jim and Nick, as a lifelong Hawthorn supporter, I'm saddened to hear of your negative experiences with my fellow Hawks fans. I'm not sure where it comes from - it's not as if the club, the coach or players encourage disrespect for opposition teams and supporters. Quite the opposite, in fact. Every club has its idiot supporters, unfortunately. And I fear that as the Hawks have enjoyed sustained success in recent years and our supporter numbers have grown rapidly, we've picked up more than our fair share of idiots along the way. I'm sorry to hear you've run into a few of them.
andyl12
Guest
As much as anything less than a premiership for our boys would hurt, I don't think anyone has the right to call us underachievers without first admitting how bl00dy hard it is to win 3 in a row.
Malahka
Guest
Saw the Melb v Freo game last year and was a bit hesitant taking my young boys. First time i have taken them. Very surprised with the good behaviour and no swearing.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I think if Hawthorn experience a season where they bottom out there will be a lot of people queueing up to go to the G to point it out to their fans.
Jim
Guest
It wasn't much fun that day at all nick if you were in Red and White and unlucky enough to be sitting in the vicinity near the minority of fans that had little actual interest in the football going on and had their focus on other, anti-social behaviour. I'm hoping I get some better neighbours this Saturday night then I had last time round at the G in September.
Nick
Guest
The GF was the worst experience of my life. The abuse directed towards me and my family will take along time to. Forgive and forget, especially the abuse levelled towards my sister. Will always have a chip on my shoulder now
Winston
Guest
I think Bird will find it hard to get back in, unless Goodes calls it a day or injury happens to other players. He's not fast, and doesn't have particularly good skills, nor is he a pure tagger. I reckon Heeney has taken his spot and Lloyd has taken Cunningham's spot. I don't know about Xavier Richards. I now believe Sam Reid is going to be Ted's long term replacement. Grundy is actually only 29 and despite his frequent moments of mediocrity, he can probably play at exactly the same level he is playing at now for another 5 years. It's not that hard for him to maintain given it's not such a high benchmark!
Jim
Guest
I think the only thing stopping Rampe being dropped is no one really is knocking down the doors in Ressies. Harry Marsh plays a similar role, but despite being listed in the best a number of times, regular watchers of the reserves don't seem to rate him that much or think he is showing exceptional progress in 2015. Zak Jones is another possible replacement, but I think they are hoping he will replace Rhyce Shaw going forward or maybe a hard nut midfield role. Brandon Jack I think won't make it. As he has done in his handful of AFL games so far, he still pops up on occasions to do great pieces of work around the ground, but far too often he is anonymous in reserves games. It took K Jack a long time to get it right, so I guess he can't be written off completely. Xavier Richards has had a pretty ordinary run with injuries the last 18 months which hasn't helped. Still being groomed as a replacement for Grundy/Teddy, along with Allir Allir, and whilst both are continuing to develop, they look a long way from first team footy. As for Bird - I think he will be back in the team soon enough. Probably forced out by Mitchell's really good recent few games. Cunningham needs to find more of the Pill than he does at the moment and harden up a bit in my book. There are some good 'uns coming through though. Naismith I think is going to make a very decent ruck/forward, Robinson and Hewett look the next two midfielders in line and both are ready to play AFL football, James Rose is promising as a smaller forward, Hiscox is raw but has a lot of potential, and it wouldn't suprise me at all to see Nic Newman get a game or two in the seniors this year if the opportunity arises - he looks like a good potential mature recruit (but still on rookie list).
Jim
Guest
Not to worry Gene - the Swans will have a nice little cash pile waiting to be spent at the end of 2016, given Tippett will be off contract (and unless they are insane, his next contract will be more reasonable) Goodes and Shaw will be gone. Given they have a few players to tie up, but the trade ban should give them a decent amount of $$$$ to spend at the end of 2016 to help plug some gaps. Watch out for a guy called Sam Naismith - he will be a very decent ruckmen in time, I expect he will replace Pyke next year. Down back is the real worry, as I've yet to see conclusive proof either Allir Allir or Xavier Richards are going to be able to fill the hole left by Teddy Richards and Grundy when they go.
Winston
Guest
Also, normally I would agree with you on Grundy, but he just happened to have played a blinder in the Cats game, so I have to give credit to him when it's due.
Winston
Guest
Well, problem is I think he thinks he's Ablett, Judd and Pendlebury combined...
Winston
Guest
Jim I think that's fair. I definitely think he's got a role in the team, but he's not playing that role at the moment. Sending him back with a good sit down with guys like Mattner and Crouch would do him no harm. Where are guys like Brandon Jack and Xavier Richards? Have they completely stagnated since their debuts a couple of years ago? Seems like Rampe, Laidler, Heeney, Lloyd have overtaken them. Even Craig Bird and Cunningham find it hard to get a game.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Swans need to put four quarters of footy to beat you guys...
Jim
Guest
Completely agree Balthazar. Swans were shocking in the first half with their ball use, and more 'brainfarts' in the backline, which have become commonplace since last year's GF capitulation. If they continue against Hawks, the Hawks will win in a canter.
Jim
Guest
I think he needs a few weeks in the Ressies as a true 'kick up the bum' to get him going again. The guy has good potential and good poise, but his 2015 has been absolute pants. Those 50 metre penalties on Saturday night were ridiculously harsh however - both occasions I thought from the stands the Cats player clearly played on, but the Ump was just too slow calling play on and called 50 instead.
Jim
Guest
Every team has some 'strange' fans to put it nicely Penster! Why a swans fan would ever boo Goodes is beyond me to say the least - probably racist I'd expect as you suggest. Leaving aside accusations of 'staging' and whatever else, he has done an awful lot for the club over an awfully long time, and at his peak was a majestic player to watch, and integral to 2 premierships. From a Swans fan perspective, he deserves nothing but utmost respect. Every club has its bandwagon supporters that only appear when the team is going well - and they are the most painful of the lot. Its painful to go to the football and listen to some of the things people say, that clearly are there to be seen at the footy, not to actually watch the game. Best one I've heard for a while was last week out at ANZ, when the guy sitting behind seriously asked his neighbour whether the game was being played on 'artificial turf' - I couldn't believe that he actually said that - especially at ANZ of all places where the field resembles a tapestry of turf at the best of times. Certainly the atmosphere at the footy at SCG games is more social than say in Melbourne, but I kind of like that too - it does give a nice welcoming family feel to the games. But for many, its about being 'seen there' when the Swans are going well than actually watching the footy. But each to their own - I think slowly and surely though there is a growing body of far more informed fans (i.e. those that have grown up and followed the Swans all their life) which is helping to tip the balance back a little.
WhereIsGene
Guest
Ahh yes, Swans fans wantonly antagonizing Hawthorn supporters after they poached Franklin with taunts that they'd stolen their best player. Worked out really well for them in last year's grand final! Sweet poetic justice that pleased supporters of the other 17 clubs immensely.
New York Hawk
Guest
There are always a minority of supporters we all wish would support another team. I am very curious to see what happens on the weekend. We need to show four quarters of excellence to beat the Swans. Hodge out is massive, as his leadership is the difference in many close games. I have my fingers crossed we get up! Go Hawks!