Hawthorn’s attempt at four premierships in a row came to an end at the MCG tonight, beaten by a younger, hungrier team in the Western Bulldogs.
The Dogs began full of energy and youthful enthusiasm, but it was the Hawks who were more composed, kicking the first three goals of the game largely from turnovers.
Eventually Western settled somewhat, but despite dominating territory and possession for the most part, they spent most of the first half trailing by three to four goals. Hawthorn did enough defensively to deny their young opponents real scoring chances, and then hurt them on the counterattack.
But in the last few minutes of the first half, Hawthorn’s pressure dropped away ever so slightly and the Dogs took advantage. Three goals for the Bulldogs in a row to narrowed the margin to just one point at half time, which was certainly a better reflection of the nature of the game.
That late flurry turned out to be a harbinger of what was to come. While the Hawks kicked the opening goal of the third term, after an even few minutes, the Dogs began to genuinely assert themselves, continuing to dominate play but more importantly making it pay on the scoreboard, kicking five straight goals to open up a commanding 26 point lead at three-quarter time.
Hawthorn are the Harry Houdini of the AFL, but there was no escaping tonight. The Dogs started on fire in the final term with the first three goals. The margin was as far out as 43 points after ten minutes before the Dogs shut up shop to prepare for next week.
The Hawks were beaten, but they continued to play out the game, and pulled the margin back to within three goals late. The final margin of four goals flattered the reigning premiers – after late in the third quarter they were never a serious chance.
There was quite a bit of talk about the importance of contested footy in the lead up during the week. Quite simply, the Dogs dominated this facet of the game beyond anything you would normally see in a final: 161 contested possessions to 111 over the course of the night.
That in turn translated into 70 more disposals overall, eight more clearances and twelve more inside 50s for the Dogs. That amount of supply was always going to tell once Hawthorn’s tackling pressure slipped even a little.
The Dogs didn’t have a dominant forward, but they found plenty of individuals in the attacking area who made contributions. Stringer was excellent in the third term when the Dogs got on top. Liam Picken, Caleb Daniel and Josh Dunkley worked hard around half forward. Clay Smith was a tackling menace. Marcus Bontempelli as usual was damaging when he came up from the midfield.
Hawthorn deserve a lot of credit for hanging in as long as they did, in truth. 102 tackles for the night demonstrates how determined they were to keep the four-in-a-row dream alive. Liam Shiels led the way with 12 tackles, while Paul Puopolo had ten of his own. Luke Hodge and Isaac Smith worked hard to clear the ball. Cyril Rioli started on fire but drifted out of the game.
The Hawks’ dynasty may be over, or it may just be turning the page. With some high profile recruits potentially coming their way that club will now start preparing their campaign for the next best thing to a four-peat: four premierships in five seasons.
Western now have eight more days to rest up and prepare to travel to Sydney to play the Giants. After two very impressive wins they are the form team of the finals, will consider themselves every chance to end GWS’ maiden finals appearance and book a spot in a grand final.
This game was another thrilling chapter in this crazy, unpredictable season. Just four matches to go in a truly great year of footy.
Interstater
Guest
Those feats become easier when the GF is on your home ground instead of interstate like for Brisbane Lions. Further to Anon's point, the Hawks actually played 8 of their 13 finals matches between 2012-15 against interstate teams at the MCG. Quite the advantage. It's hard to imaging the Hawks having quite the same excellent record in these years without that. If other clubs had that luxury during their "premiership window", they would've done better e.g. Saints might have won in 2009 or 2010, instead of walking away with nothing (they played 0 finals v interstate teams).
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Did Bevo learn from Clarko, or did Clarko learn from Bevo?? I read last year that the current Hawk system of team defense which is replicated by Doggies, Eagles and GWS, was instituted by Bevo at Hawthorn during his tenure there from 2012-2014. And after Friday night's game, Clarko intimated in his press conference that he had a bit of learning to do, to learn how to tackle effectively, get to the ball first, win more contested ball and run quicker. ?
Don Freo
Guest
We haven't even had the GF yet. The footy season finishes after the GF and then there's the cricket and the draft. A sports fan's season never ends. You just don't seem to enjoy any of it, Nev.
Nineteen
Roar Rookie
One thing that gets overlooked in the analysis of Lions vs Hawks debates is the contribution of the clubs to the game. Hawthorn, under Clarkson have had five assistant coaches kick on to become coaches of well run clubs. Next year that number could rise to six. That would mean 1/3 of all coaches have graduated from the Hawthorn academy!!!! Voss and Leppa will hardly go down as coaching heavyweights. There is no doubt that the IP coming out of Hawthorn has enriched other clubs and that combined with an ageing list has led to it's 'demise.'
Nev
Guest
Your season finished 5 months ago don, and you're still on here
anon
Guest
But Clarkson scoffs at winning the contested ball. Claims contested possessions don't matter. Well, they do. Clarkson got it completely wrong. His team went into the season hot favourites to win the premiership, from round 1-22 he ignored his team's glaring issue with winning contested ball, he arrogantly claimed the Hawks don't give a toss about contested ball, and now his team is out in straight sets having been annihilated by a team that prides itself on winning the contested ball. Clarkson cost himself the chance of 4 in a row with bizarre tactics. He basically sabotaged his own team. Maybe he was just too stubborn to admit he got it wrong as the season progressed. He dug his heels in and the contested possession differential grew and grew. Or maybe he just doesn't have control of his senior players any more and won't hold them to account.
Balthazar
Guest
But Don is not saying "Fyfe is not the best player because Fyfe is injured". He is saying "Danger is not the best player because Fyfe is, and Fyfe is currently injured". And then you said "Ablett is still a better player than Fyfe. But you can't be the best player if you are injured". Which is why I asked how (on your argument that injured players simply don't count as the "best") does one injured player become "better" than another.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Ok well I love Matty's opinions naturally, but don't share that one. Gotta love his enthusiasm. But I really think it's still wide open. Each team remaining has valid reason to think they're every chance.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Matty and I love you Don. Keep up the good work. Cory, stop being so nasty. ?
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Cheers 13th Man
13th man
Guest
Pumping Dougie have loved watching your boys play and have become my second side but even better than that you have beaten the two sides that have the most arrogant fans in the country over the last two weeks. And you also gave Pav wonderful respect (as well as somehow hitting us a win) a few weeks ago so I am full of respect and admiration for your boys!! Hope you can beat GWS and go all the way!
13th man
Guest
Are you West Coast Nev? If so I understand your hatred of Freo as I can't stand the Eagles otherwise why do you hate Freo so much?
Cat
Roar Guru
Simple Balth ... If one is going to use the lame excuse of injury to excuse a player from not being their best, then Ablett is still the best. If one were to face reality and realise part of being the best is being on the park to perform, then neither Ablett nor Fyfe is.
13th Man
Guest
I do hope the Doggies beat GWS, the Giants will get there turn most certainly are already next years favourites but for me the Doggies are a better story. GWS are an AFL creation, they don't have a supporter base and have been getting concession from the AFL so it can grow in a rugby league area. (To be honest coming from Perth I couldn't give a rats whether AFL is popular in Western Sydney!!) However the Doggies are more of a success story, In a similar timeframe to the Giants they have not had those draft concessions but have built a solid, young and exciting team that play daring and sometimes even crazy football and have fast become everyone's second favourite side. The AFL probably hopes GWS make it but they are the villains next week. GWS will be outnumbered by Dogs fans in there own stadium and 24 million people will once again back the Dogs because they are a REAL Football Club not a machine created by the AFL to dominate Footy so as to attract fans from RL. Heres hoping the Dogs win and delay the inevitable GWS domination by a year. Footy will be the better for it!!
13th Man
Guest
Agree with you on that one Don, I do think a Crows Dogs grand final is a real possibility and Footy would be richer for it. Would be the best outcome for football I reckon
Balthazar
Guest
But Ablett can be a "better" player than Fyfe even when he's not able to get on the park, Cat? That makes no sense You do realise as well, I assume, that Gary and Nat are not the same age so Ablett was in his prime when Fyfe was still growing into his body
Don Freo
Guest
Do you reckon you are mounting an argument about something here, Cat?
Cat
Roar Guru
And Fyfe never beat Ablett Jr. who is still a much better player than Fyfe. Fact is you can't be 'the best' if you can't even get on the park.
Don Freo
Guest
That's because I am fragile and vulnerable. You guys are really, really mean to me.?
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
I have noticed that to Cory.