Hawthorn have won the battle, but there is the feeling their war with West Coast has only just begun.
The Hawks kept their top-two chances alive with a pulsating 14-point win over the Eagles on Saturday night at a wet and windy Domain Stadium.
West Coast led by 18 points during the third quarter, and edged out to a three-point lead midway through the final term when Josh Kennedy nailed his fourth goal of the match from close range.
But the Hawks, winners of the past two premierships, came up trumps when it mattered most.
Luke Breust gave Hawthorn back the lead at the 19-minute mark by shaking off a tackler and evading two other Eagles defenders to score an opportunistic goal.
And when Shaun Burgoyne and Jarryd Roughead also nailed important goals, the Hawks were home.
The 13.10 (88) to 11.8 (74) win lifted Hawthorn to within two points of the second-placed Eagles.
And with West Coast scheduled to face ladder-leading Fremantle next week, second spot could soon be all Hawthorn’s.
Although the Eagles didn’t manage to get the win this time, they can hold their heads up high.
And if everything goes to script, they’ll get the chance to avenge Saturday’s loss at some point during the finals – maybe even twice.
But for the moment, West Coast will be busy counting the toll of a bruising encounter.
Star defender Jeremy McGovern appears set for another stint on the sidelines after re-injuring his left hamstring.
And star goalsneak Mark LeCras was placed on report for his head-high bump on James Frawley.
Frawley was bent over attempting to scoop up the ball when LeCras came through and clipped him on the top of the head.
The Hawks’ defender was left groggy from the hit and required a concussion test before returning for the start of the second half.
West Coast suffered a huge blow on Friday night when ruckman Nic Naitanui withdrew following the death of his mother Atetha.
Star Hawks defender Brian Lake was forced out before the match because of general soreness, and his absence was keenly felt as Jack Darling nailed two early goals.
West Coast made the most of a strong, swirly breeze to open up an 18-point buffer by quarter-time.
It would have been even more if not for two kicks hitting posts, but Hawks forward Jarryd Roughead had his own nightmare moment in the second quarter when he missed a 15m set shot from almost directly in front.
West Coast threatened to break the game open during the third quarter, but a 20m missed set shot from Patrick McGinnity came back to haunt the home side.
Had McGinnity nailed the goal, the margin would have been 23 points.
Instead, Hawthorn swung the ball down the other end to score through Jonathon Ceglar, with the margin just four points at the final change.
The final term was a see-sawing affair.
But with Scott Lycett tiring in the ruck and McGovern done for the match, the Eagles didn’t have the firepower to match Hawthorn when it mattered most.
DJW
Guest
Brown wont make the team IMO. Who will he take out from the backline? He has always been suspect.
Don Freo
Guest
Oh..is that all? You said "players" (plural). We all knew that one. Is that all you've got? You must be guessing about others.
jax
Guest
This isn't our year. Pre-season, if I asked you if you'd settle for WC making the Top 4 or even Top 8 you would have taken it. Premierships aren't won in one year. You have to earn them and if you're lucky you might win one or two. Your expectations have risen too quickly. Next year Makenzie and Brown will be back. Gov will be able to swing forward or play there permanently. Duggan and Nelson will be another year older as will Sheed and Yeo. Lamb could be anything. Wellingham could move to a wing or half forward when our defensive pillars are back. We have options galore and who knows, maybe Bennell, Jetta or Yarran want to come home? Simmo is doing an incredible job and he responded on Gov honestly. In his press conference he said Gov was cleared by the medicos so he is backing them in. He said that they may have made a mistake playing Gov in the ruck and that the coaches also have lessons to learn. Don't ride the highs and lows. Take smooth ride because you should know where we are going. We are in great shape for future success but there is still a lot of work to do. Rejoice, be happy! It's been a great year no matter happens next.
jax
Guest
You jump off quick Did you watch the game? Nic and Cal were made unavailable less than 24h before bouncedown. Gov was backup ruck for Lycett. Gov got injured in Q4 and Yeo had to go into the ruck. WC were leading with 10m left. The Hawks have won he last two flags, were on the rebound and desperate for the win so they can take 2nd spot and you're unhappy? If Nic played we would have won I'm sure of it. How about thinking about him instead how disastrous the Eagles are?
jax
Guest
Define trouble?
The Truth
Guest
In May 2010 Mchael Johnson of the Fremantle Football Club was investigated by the police and charged on summons with possessing cocaine, suspended for five matches and fined $5,000 for bringing the AFL into disrepute. He pleaded guilty and was fined $500 in court. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Johnson_(Australian_rules_footballer) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illicit_drug_use_in_Australia
Lroy
Guest
Lets not kid ourselves.. a 14 point win on the road is massive... its an old fashioned spanking. .if we have to play the Hawks in Melbourne in Sept they will rub our faces in it... Saturdays result was an unmitigated disaster... if the Fockers roll us next week the season is over. Jax can blow as much hot air as he wants.. the Eagles are now in trouble.
Lroy
Guest
McGinnity is a rolled gold idiot.. why he ever gets picked defies me. Against the Lions a couple of years ago he dropped TWO chest marks 20m out from goal which would have resulted in us winning not losing.. playing finals...and not playing finals... the guy should have been delisted the next day. You can blame injuries all you want.. the coach picked this clown... he played.. we lost... end of story.. West Coast are wasting their time unless they decide to become ruthless at end of year time. McGinnity should have been trade bait 2 years ago... now we will get nothing for him. The idiot who cleared McGovern to play should be punched in the face.... hamstrings are, and will alwayss be FOUR weeks out. Anyone who says otherwise has never had one. The whole season is now at stake due to a couple of idiot decisions.. by the COACHING staff.
Mango Jack
Guest
I reckon the Freo players would disagree. The scars of 2013 would still be visible.
Don Freo
Guest
Wow...some gossip. Who are the ones from Freo? This should be good.
The Truth
Guest
All clubs have players on their list that have taken illicit drugs, including Freo. Your comment shows how little you know about the subject.. If their flag is tainted so is every other clubs flag for at the least the last 20-30 years.
Don Freo
Guest
WC is the stronger challenge but that's the GF I want.
Mango Jack
Guest
I can smell your fear, Don. We all know who you least want to face come finals time, and it's neither WC or NM.
AR
Guest
Projections are fun to make - "Zac Dawson will win the 2015 Brownlow. Ross Lyon will leave for Carlton FC. Ryan Crowley will make a triumphant finals return from his doping ban." Fun fun fun. ...come to think of it, if Crowley *does* return, and Ballantyne too, they could potentially team up together and fill the finals series with pinching, sniping and tummy punching. Identity restored!
jax
Guest
Part of Kirk's role is to take the weekly meditation classes around the cabinet and direct positive energy at it.
Don Freo
Guest
I have no issue with you being "who you are..."...behind the play snipes (knees, tummy punches) and all that. This discussion, however is about 2015 projections. You are possibly unaware that what you are saying is irrelevant to that discussion. Your efforts are commendable, however.
AR
Guest
Don our history is the greatest asset we have in terms of defining who we are. So... I guess when a club's history is based on nothing except failures, hope becomes an all-important, and all-consuming, concept. ...a bit sad, though.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
lol... They actually do go together quite nicely don't they. They just need some more blow-wave in their hairstyling and some dry ice and they could be a half-time act.
Balthazar
Guest
the only thing more horrific than the power ballad is that abomination of an away guernsey
Don Freo
Guest
I suppose some enjoy living in the past...a bit sad, though. Nevertheless, if hope goes, nostalgia has a value.