Hawthorn will play in their fifth consecutive preliminary final on Friday night against Fremantle, with a 3-1 win record from previous prelim encounters. However, this doesn’t tell the full story.
After winning three grand finals in seven years, you might think that premiership cups are a part of the furniture at Hawthorn. However, if a few balls had not bounced their way in past prelims it may have been a different story for the all-conquering Hawks.
Hawthorn has proven to shine in the September sun on grand final day, however it is often forgotten that getting to the big dance is always been the hardest part. Hawthorn’s last four preliminary finals have been decided by an incredible 16 points combined.
After losing to Collingwood by three points in 2011, Hawthorn won the next three by five, five and three respectively.
2011: Hawthorn 9.11-65 defeated by Collingwood 10.8-68
2012: Hawthorn 13.19-97 defeated Adelaide 14.8-92
2013: Hawthorn 14.18-102 defeated Geelong 15.7-97
2014: Hawthorn 15.7-97 defeated Port Adelaide 13.16-94
Incredibly, the last three times Hawthorn hves won a preliminary final a team has finished on 97 points. Coincidence or fate?
Hawthorn’s recent preliminary finals have been modern-day thrillers; in 2013 Hawthorn came from 20 points down at three-quarter time to steal it from the Cats. While 30 more seconds last year, and it could have been Port Adelaide in the grand final.
Whether it’s a good thing or not for Hawthorn fans, when their team makes it into a preliminary final we know we are in for a heart-stopper.
Hawthorn’s stellar form over the last decade has been a testament to our great game. Their ability to score, move the ball fast and their trademark toughness has been their backbone throughout their success, hence the high-scoring prelim thrillers.
After all, getting to the grand final is three quarters of the battle for Hawthorn, and it’s a big feat at that. Time will tell on Friday night if this colossal Hawthorn team can fall over the line for its fourth consecutive grand final birth.
Buckle up your seatbelts, we could have another thriller on our hands.
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