Hawthorn have held off an outstanding challenge from St Kilda to win by four points, setting up a massive AFL clash next week with Sydney.
The Saints rallied from a week of intense scrutiny to nearly pull off one of the season’s biggest upsets, though the Hawks won 12.8 (80) to 11.10 (76).
St Kilda kicked the only goal of the last quarter as the two teams defended grimly.
Hawks pair Jack Gunston and Jarman Impey took crucial marks late in the match as the Saints pressed hard.
Hawthorn stayed fourth and are level on points with the fifth-placed Swans, who beat GWS earlier on Saturday night.
The winner of the Sydney-Hawthorn SCG clash next Saturday night will finish in the top four.
Hawthorn lost veteran key defender James Frawley in the third term with a back injury.
Jarryn Geary, who was outstanding on Hawks playmaker Isaac Smith, was forced off the field in the last term because of a head knock.
Gunston was best afield, kicking four goals and then going into defence late in the match, while the poise of veteran Shaun Burgoyne was crucial.
Midfielder Jack Steele was best for the Saints and Jack Lonie kicked a career-best four goals.
The game went according to script in the first quarter, with Hawthorn kicking four goals to one.
While the Saints were on top in clearances and had more possessions, Hawthorn were more efficient and looked ready to break the game open.
But the momentum swung dramatically in the second term as the Saints hit back.
The lead changed six times and Hawthorn only led by five points at the main break.
Immediately after the match, Burgoyne told Channel Seven that Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson gave his players a massive serve.
“You don’t want to be in the front row,” Burgyone said of the team meeting.
St Kilda were well on top in clearances 28-17 and were up in contested possessions as well as they put the Hawks under mounting pressure.
But the Saints have had a bad habit of dropping away through the middle of games.
The signs were bad when Hawthorn went on a four-goal run to lead by a game-high 24 points in the third quarter.
But Lonie kicked three goals late in the third term and the Saints were only nine points down at the last break.
Jade Gresham, another of the Saints’ best players, kicked a goal two minutes into the last quarter – but it proved the last goal of the game.
Fairsuckofthesav
Guest
And the two 50s not paid against Hawthorn in the last minute?
Penster
Roar Guru
We are the softest top 4 entrant in a long while, but I'll take it. BTW Carlton & Freo - this is what a rebuild looks like.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
living up to your first name DD?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Talk about auto defence response Outsider. The Pies have been way more consistent than the Hawks in that we beat up on sides lower than us and struggle against sides higher. Interesting I point out the Hawks vulnerability against low sides and it exposes your sensitivity at any criticism at all. Has all your success made you that sensitive to criticism Outsider? A little precious perhaps some Hawk fans.
DeanM
Guest
Schoenmakers was robbed of an easy shot at goal in the last few minutes when the mark was called play on despite the ball travelling over 15M. Game would have been over had they not botched that call.
PeteB
Guest
Nothing special about beating the Cats. They are just barely going to make the eight, have lost 9 games this year including being smashed by the Bombers and losing to the Dogs. The Hawks aren’t that good but aren’t that bad either. They could easily lose to the Swans next week and go out in first week of finals. But they could also win next week and end up making a preliminary final or possibly even the grand final. The same could be said for most sides in the top 9 as the gap between these teams is so small. Do get the feeling it’s just a battle between 8 sides to be runners up to the Tigers though.
DickDromana
Guest
Yes what is the go with Hawthorn. For the second week in a row no 50m penalty despite blatant breach. In a tight finish we should be able to expect better from our umps. Hawks often not penalised for throws, holding the ball (falling on it and holding it in) and incorrect disposal. No threat to finalists if umpired correctly.
Outsider
Guest
And yet the same points as your great team? Strange things indeed!
Birdman
Roar Rookie
No excuse but with the Saints trashed in the media all week, they were always a big chance to respond against the Hawks - Clarko said as much on Friday. On the other hand, the Hawks may have just expected it would happen for them after reading they may be the emerging challenger to Richmond in September. They need to get back to one week at a time.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
What's the go with Hawthorn this year? Lose twice to Brisbane and nearly beaten by the rabble that is St Kilda? But beat Geelong? They are the Jekyll and Hyde team of 2018.
Kurt
Guest
Best thing I can say about that game is that my expectations of a GF berth for the Hawks this year has been well and truly managed downwards.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Saints were stiff tonight - really came to play against a Hawthorn outfit who looked complacent for long periods, Fun fact - Hawks haven't lost a game this year when Ryan Schoenmakers has played. Schoey struggles sometimes to impact like tonight but he's structurally important. Jack Gunston was huge tonight and should be in the conversation to replace Roughead as captain in the near future.