The Hawthorn Hawks will have a double-chance in the 2018 AFL Finals after a thrilling win over the Sydney Swans at the SCG confirmed a top-four finish.
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Final score
Sydney Swans 10.14.74
Hawthorn Hawks 12.11.83
A qualifying final spot is on the line when the Sydney Swans host the Hawthorn Hawks at the SCG on Saturday night. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:25pm (AEST).
In another Derby where Lance Franklin dominated, Sydney took bragging rights over the GWS Giants with a 20-point victory last Saturday.
After injury forced GWS defender Phil Davis forward, Franklin turned the GWS defence inside out and showed yet again that he can win a game off his own boot.
After a quieter than normal season, the Sydney midfield had a pep in their step and will need to keep lifting the intensity, as the matches only get tougher from here.
For Hawthorn, last Saturday night was tight and ugly, but they just held on to a four-point win against St Kilda.
Hawks fans would want to hope the poor showing was a once-off because, as coach Alastair Clarkson said, form like that will end in a “hasty” exit from the finals race.
In team news, Sydney have made one change for this evening’s clash, bringing in experienced defender Heath Grundy and omitting Robbie Fox.
Defender James Frawley (back) is one of three changes for the Hawks; Conor Glass and Marc Pittonet are the other omissions.
Hawthorn skipper Jarryd Roughead headlines the inclusions, he’ll be joined in the selected side by David Mirra and Ricky Henderson.
In Round 8, when these two sides last met, Sydney took the win by eight points at the MCG.
Prediction
On the big stage, with plenty at stake, these two teams have had some classic matches as modern-day rivals, and this game is sure to be no different.
This year the SCG hasn’t been a fortress for the Swans, but in a big game like this, the home-ground factor could be the small edge Sydney need to get the job done.
Sydney by seven points
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:25pm (AEST).
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Cheers for tuning in tonight everyone and for sharing your thoughts throughout the coverage. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Cheers, good call by yourself at three quarter time, Hawthorn had the steam to run out winners in the final term!
User
Roar Rookie
To much on the line for WC to drop it.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
The Hawthorn Hawks have secured a top four spot and qualifying final with a nine-point win over the Sydney Swans on Saturday night. The SCG was slippery underfoot, but luckily there was no rain, as two of the most successful clubs over the past two decades battled it out once again. It was an even first quarter, with both sides slow to score and eying each other off. Then in the second, Sydney came out and kicked four goals straight, before a late Paul Puopolo goal kept Hawthorn in the hunt. At half time, the margin was 19, but the low-scoring affair made it seem tougher to claw back. When the teams came out after half-time, there was a shift in momentum, as the Hawks took the game on and held possession of the ball. A three-goal run to the Hawks nearly got the score-line all square, before Sydney kicked away again. Sydney’s lead was brought back to just one goal at the final change, with a Jack Gunston goal and Tom Mitchell behind to end the scoring in the third term. Half-way through the final term, Hawthorn took the lead for the first time since the two-minute mark of the second term and held on from there to take a nine-point victory. Without Lance Franklin up forward, the Swans had to get creative. Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley kicked two goals each, while Jake Lloyd again racked up 31 disposals. George Hewett managed 24 disposals and six tackles, and held Tom Mitchell brilliantly in the first half. Liam Shiels was busy all day, collecting 26 disposals and laying four tackles, while Tom Mitchell – held early by George Hewett – began to find some space in the second half, finishing with 24 disposals and 11 tackles. Paul Puopolo kicked three goals, Jack Gunston and Ricky Henderson chipped in with two goals each as well. Lance Franklin and Luke Parker were withdrawn from the side when the final team list was submitted, Jordan Dawson and Robbie Fox replaced them in the final line up. Both teams have qualified for finals; Hawthorn look likely to finish in fourth spot (assuming the Eagles don’t lose by a considerable margin to the Lions), while Sydney currently sit in fifth, but could be moved by Sunday’s results. Sydney: 10.14.74 Hawthorn: 12.11.83
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Brisbane no pushover but hopefully Eagles squeak home and cement 2nd spot.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
thanks for your fine work tonight, Sarah.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Good result 4th for all concerned. I guess you could still finish 3rd with a date with the Pies at the 'G though. It wouldn't surprise me if Brissy wins tomorrow.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
The Hawthorn Hawks have defeated the Sydney Swans by nine points at the SCG on Saturday night. Goals Sydney: Papley 2, Heeney 2, McCartin, Jack, Florent, Cunningham, Sinclair, Kennedy Hawthorn: Puopolo 3, Gunston 2, Henderson 2, Morrison, Roughead, Schoenmakers, Worpel, Breust Disposals Sydney: Lloyd 31, Hewett 24, Grundy 22 Hawthorn: Shiels 26, Mitchell 24, Worpel 23 Score Sydney: 10.14.74 Hawthorn: 12.11.83
Birdman
Roar Rookie
did it ugly but did it all the same. happy to grab 4th and stay in Melbs to test the Tiges rather than fly west. oh and stuff you Razor and the horse you rode in on.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
never happened.....
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Hawthorn get the double chance! What a game of footy. 5 goals to 2 in the final term set up the victory for the Hawks, who just had a little bit more steam left to run out the final term. Sydney: 10.14.74 Hawthorn: 12.11.83
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Yeah, Baabeeeee!
User
Roar Rookie
Well done hawthorn, was a hard season last year without you guys making top 4 ?
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 1' - BEHIND SWANS Papley marks and immediately wheels and goes, hooking it to the left. Sydney: 74 Hawthorn: 83
Aw
Guest
Swans are done. They are finished. They will lose in the first week of the finals. Not good enough. Time for a massive list change
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 1' - BEHIND SWANS Florent goes outside to Lloyd, who goes from long range... the ball is rushed over the line for a behind. Sydney: 73 Hawthorn: 83
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 2' 2:04 on the clock, big ask from here for Sydney, but not impossible. Sydney: 72 Hawthorn: 83
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 3' - GOAL HAWKS Long kick from Roughead, almost goes for home himself, but Breust marks in the goal square. He lines up from the top of the goal square for a certain goal. Hawks by 11. Sydney: 72 Hawthorn: 83
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 3' - BEHIND HAWKS Morrison's kick is touched off the boot, score review confirms as much. Sydney: 72 Hawthorn: 77
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 4' The Hawthorn defenders hold their wall and Hardwick gets the ball in the square... he sends it back inside. Sydney: 72 Hawthorn: 76