The Hawthorn Hawks have won a top four spot and will go through to a qualifying final against the Geelong Cats after defeated the Collingwood Magpies by a single point.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Hawthorn Hawks 17.10.112
Collingwood Magpies 17.9.111
After a tough loss in the West last week, the Hawthorn Hawks face a must win game against the Collingwood Magpies, as they get set to defend their crown for a fourth successive year. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:35pm (AEST).
After comfortably qualifying for the top four every year since 2011, the three-time reigning premiers find themselves in unfamiliar territory, requiring a victory to guarantee themselves a double chance in the finals.
With losses to Melbourne and West Coast in the last three weeks, Hawthorn will be out to show the rest of the competition that they are still the top dogs of the AFL.
The midweek announcement that superstars Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne and Josh Gibson will play on next year is sure to strengthen the resolve of the football club on the eve of finals.
Across the field, it’s been a sad week at Collingwood after 2010 Premiership heroes Dane Swan, Brent Macaffer and Alan Toovey all announced their retirements.
With speculation mounting that fellow premiership star Travis Cloke will also play his last game in the famous prison bar guernsey, the Magpies will be hoping to farewell their champions on a high note.
Unfortunately for Collingwood, the MCG has not been a happy hunting ground for them this year, winning only 6 out of a possible 13 games on the hallowed turf.
Further compounding their problems, Hawthorn have thoroughly dominated the Magpies in recent encounters, having won their past eight matches by an average margin of over six goals.
However in a season in which Collingwood have beaten several top four contenders – Geelong, GWS and West Coast – the Pies can take heart in the fact that their best football can challenge any team.
In team news, young gun Darcy Moore ended his season on a sour note after suffering another hamstring injury in last week’s 71-point win against Gold Coast.
While it was bad news for the youngster, it opens the door for out-of-favour big man Travis Cloke, in what could be his farewell game to the Collingwood faithful – and also an audition for list managers across the nation.
For the Hawks, ruckman Jonathon Ceglar looks set to miss a fair chunk of season 2017, as he begins the long rehabilitation process from an ACL rupture.
In lieu of Ceglar’s injury, the bulk of the rucking duties for the remainder of the season is likely to fall to Ben McEvoy. The Hawks will have a good indication of whether he is up to the task, as he matches up with the mercurial Brodie Grundy this week.
A strong game from the former Saint on Sunday will go a long way in proving that ‘Big Boy’ McEvoy has what it takes to match up with other elite ruckmen in the finals such as Shane Mumford of GWS and Sam Jacobs from the Crows.
Prediction
After inconsistent performances throughout the year, it is hard to pick which Collingwood outfit will play on Sunday. Will it be the manic tackling side that stifled the Eagles three weeks ago? Or are the lackluster Pies who lost to Richmond and Carlton going to make an appearance?
Regardless, it will be tough to topple a Hawks team which had its pride dented last week. Hawthorn have proven that the biggest stage is where they play their best football and with a double chance beckoning, it would be tough to see anything but a Hawthorn victory on Sunday.
Hawthorn by 27 points.
Richard
Guest
Cat you`r`e back ???.... I`m excited...Good to see you making an appearance once your CATS made the finals.. Love your work mate ..
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Didn't do quite so well against the Eagles,though. They'll have to learn how to handball correctly, to practice being spun in tackles without penalty and to avoid dropping the ball when tackled or else the umpires will really punish them.Oh,and also it won't hurt them to watch a good side give lessons on how to tackle below the neck
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
A booming sixty meter kick from ruckman Jack Fitzpatrick has given Hawthorn a last gasp win over a gallant Collingwood outfit. In what was a must win game for the Hawks, the last minute goal ensured they finished third on the ladder, setting up an epic grudge match against old rivals Geelong in two weeks’ time. Fifteen seconds earlier, the Hawks were sitting sixth on the ladder as Adam Treloar snapped a goal in heavy traffic to give the Magpies the lead with 2:23 remaining on the clock. But just when it looked like the reigning three time premiers would miss the top four for the first time in six years, the former demon playing his first games in Hawks colours, burst out of the centre circle to even the scores. A rushed behind scored a seconds later gifted the Hawks one of their toughest wins of the season, in what was a preview of finals football. The Magpies started the game strongly, outscoring their much fancied opponents with quick ball movement and some straight kicking to open up a 16 point lead halfway through the second term. With Hawthorn regaining the lead quickly in the third quarter and the Pies a player down in rotation due to a hamstring injury to James Aish, it only looked a matter of time before Hawthorn brushed aside a plucky Collingwood team. However with recruit of the year contender Adam Treloar leading the way, the Pies refused to lay down. In a best on ground performance, Treloar managed to shake off a zero disposal first quarter to finish the match with a game high 36 disposals to go along with two goals. Ably assisted by Steele Sidebottom in the midfield (33 possessions) and with Ben Crocker and Travis Cloke providing a target up forward, the Pies refused to let the Hawks escape. Collingwood rallied to kick four goals in a row to give the pies a lead with minutes to spare in the fourth. But just as they’ve done all season Hawthorn found a way to win. A masterclass from superstar Sam Mitchell, moments of individual brilliance from Shaun Burgoyne and a mammoth kick from a recycled ruckman have the Hawks primed for a tilt 4th successive premiership. Player Votes 3 - Adam Treloar 2 - Sam Mitchell 1 - Shaun Burgoyne
Peppsy
Roar Guru
Nothing new for you Cat, one bad call for Hawthorn is all you've been on about for months
Cat
Roar Guru
That's my biggest fear come two weeks time ... It's not will hawthorn be given an umpiring advantage but how much will they be given.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report Although they lost the game, the Pies can head into the next season optimistic of their chances next year, if they can replicate that type of effort consistently. With a player down for the most of the match, it was a terrific effort to challenge the Hawks right down to the last second.
Richo
Guest
Hawks were challenged, but that three man advantage got them over the line. #freekickhawthorn
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Final 8 is now set, with the Hawks finishing 3rd and setting up a must watch qualifying final against the Cats. The 2016 Finals is shaping up to be a ripper, get ready footy fans!
Cat
Roar Guru
Well done to the Pies for fighting all the way to the end. As a Cats fan I am even more confident Hawthorn is beatable. Looking forward to losing my voice cheering my Cats on from the Geelong Cheer Squad in two weeks time.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
SIREN! The Hawks win by 1 point in a fantastic game. Collingwood looked like they had it with 2 minutes to go but as they've done all season managed to eek it out! FINAL SCORE Hawthorn 17.10 (112) Collingwood 17.9 (111)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
15 seconds left the ball on the Hawks 50 as it is thrown in
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Poppy scores a point with 46 seconds to go. Pies have to go the length of the ground to get the win
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
I might have a heart attack here, Fitzpatrick puts the Hawks back in the 4 with a booming kick from 60m! Scores level. GOAL HAWTHORN Hawthorn 17.9 (111) Collingwood 17.9 (111)
Cat
Roar Guru
Omg this game is insane !!!!!
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
OH MY WORD!! The pies are in front with 2:23 to go! Treloar snaps a fantastic goal GOAL COLLINGWOOD Hawthorn 16.9 (105) Collingwood 17.9 (111)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Here we go Cloke has the ball 50m out on the boundary. Instead he centres the ball as Blair marks 10m out! Greenwood very lucky not to be penalised with an unrealistic marking attempt! Scores level! GOAL COLLINGWOOD Hawthorn 16.9 (105) Collingwood 16.9 (105)
Cat
Roar Guru
One bad call against the Hawks all game and they'll vent their spleens for days
Graeme
Guest
I am a Demons fan. Hard to beat a team with 21 players on the field. The Hawks run with the umpires is beyond belief.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
3:53 to go
Cat
Roar Guru
OMG what a duck by lewis