Buddy 'one of a kind': Sewell

HE HAD 31 possessions in his own emphatic performance, but Hawthorn ball magnet Brad Sewell was in awe of another at the MCG on Friday night as his side swept into a preliminary final with a 51-point demolition of the Western Bulldogs.

The 24-year-old said he could do little but wonder at the feats of teammate Lance Franklin, who kicked five first-half goals and finished with eight to single-handedly destroy the Dogs' defence.

"He’s one of a kind," Sewell said of Franklin.

"All you can do at times is be in awe of him. You just kick it in his area and something is going to happen. It’s going to be a mark, or he’s going to wheel around and kick it from anywhere, or at worst it’ll be a solid contest.

Sewell said the key to beating the Bulldogs was to deny their playmakers space, a task the side successfully sustained all night.

Despite the Dogs having 76 more possessions, many were chips across half-back or passes to stationary targets upfield.

"We knew it would be a tough battle and it started that way but to come away with a victory like that was a super effort," he said.

"We just couldn’t afford to drop off and we didn’t."

Sewell said the week's break was welcome given the injury toll from the game headed by Trent Croad (foot), Cameron Stokes (corked thigh), Rick Ladson (shoulder) and Grant Birchall (leg).

Croad will have scans on Saturday to determine the extent of his foot injury, which had him in significant pain in the rooms after the game.

"It’s a real good situation to be in," Sewell said of the week off.

"We’ve got some guys who are sore but we’ve got time now so hopefully that will be enough to get them up."

The hardworking Hawk, who laid eight tackles, had five inside 50s and eight clearances to go with his touches, paid tribute to the Hawks' midfield depth, rating it the key to the side's premiership chances.

"We’ve got a few guys in the side who can play that role and we’ve got also got [a] nice complement of guys who can play outside as well, it’s a nice mix at the moment," he said.

"Guys like Crawf (Shane Crawford) only need to touch the ball a couple of times a quarter and he’s going to be damaging."