Grant Birchall – 6
Started slowly with just five first-half possessions as the Hawks struggled against the fired-up Eagles. Worked his way into the game in the second half, and finished as one of the Hawks’ leading possession winners with 19 on a day when touches were tough to come by.

Luke Breust – 3
On a day for small forwards, Breust was rarely sighted. Just four second-half possessions capped a less-than-stellar performance from a player who would have been expected to shine in the slippery conditions. 

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Shaun Burgoyne – 5
Was conspicuous by his inconspicuousness. In fairness, he was starved of supply at times. But the silky forward would have hoped for much better than two final-quarter goals that were kicked when the game was already out of Hawthorn’s reach.

Taylor Duryea – 4
Had an impact as the sub, coming on halfway through the third quarter and collecting seven possessions in defence. Went to the dangerous Mark LeCras in the final term. 

Six things we learned: West Coast v Hawthorn

James Frawley – 4
Played up forward in the first half. It didn’t work. Frawley then spent the second half under the pump as West Coast ran forward in waves. Was moved on to Josh Kennedy at half-time after Kennedy kicked three first-half goals (that should have been five) when opposed to Brian Lake. Kept Kennedy to two points for the rest of the match.

Josh Gibson – 5
Wasn’t his usual, dominant self in defence. Took six marks and had 14 disposals, but played second fiddle to the mercurial Josh Hill.

Every West Coast player rated 

Jack Gunston – 5
Not a day that Gunston will look back on fondly. One goal from 11 possessions for the night. Spent some time in defence when West Coast was on top in the second quarter and finished the evening in the doctors’ hands after suffering what appeared to be a serious ankle injury.

David Hale – 4
Formed a solid partnership with Ben McEvoy in the first half as the Hawthorn duo broke even in the ruck against Nic Naitanui and Callum Sinclair, partly because of help from the third man coming over the top. Neither could match Naitanui when the ball hit the ground, though, and Hale was ineffective around the ground. Subbed out of the game in the third quarter.

Bradley Hill – 6
Hill and Rioli were shaded by West Coast’s Rosa and Gaff, but it wasn’t a horrible night for the West Australian, whose brother will be hoping for better things when he takes up the same patch of turf for Fremantle tomorrow. Hill had 17 possessions and five tackles in an unremarkable display that leaves him with plenty of upside for next week’s semi-final. Had six clearances. 

Luke Hodge – 7
In reality, Hodge was probably worth a five to half-time and an eight in the second half. While he was not alone at being all at sea when West Coast was dominant in the second term, his nine first-half possessions were particularly disappointing given the ball was in his vicinity for large chunks of time. In the second half, he was a different player, collecting 20 disposals and setting up almost every one of Hawthorn’s forward forays.

Brian Lake – 4
He wouldn’t want that performance to be the deciding factor in whether he gets offered another contract at the Hawks. Got belted by Josh Kennedy in the first half and had just five second-half possessions when playing as a forward. 

Will Langford – 6
Started the game in a blaze of glory, the blond mop being conspicuous throughout the first term as he gathered eight disposals. But he only managed another nine for the rest of the match as West Coast took control of the midfield. Was useful around the contests with his pressure, laying seven tackles.

Jordan Lewis – 7
Was clearly one of the Hawks' best, with 25 possessions mostly through the midfield. Was important early as the third man up in the ruck contest, which helped Ben McEvoy and David Hale to reduce Nic Naitanui’s impact.

Ben McEvoy – 5
Toiled hard in the ruck, but was well beaten around the ground by a super Nic Naitanui and his helper, Callum Sinclair. Took five marks and had eight disposals.

Sam Mitchell – 8
Fell just one possession short of the 36 he gathered when the two sides last met five weeks ago. Had the ball on a string from the opening bounce, collecting 11 disposals in the first quarter. Was seemingly involved in each and every Hawthorn handball chain, receiving handballs on 16 occasions. Finished with a game-high 10 clearances and could scarcely have done more for his team. 

Sam Mitchell was in everything from start to finish for the Hawks. Picture: AFL Media 

Paul Puopolo – 5
One of the few Hawthorn players who regularly managed to deliver the ball inside 50, Puopolo kicked one goal and was involved in two others. But the Hawks would have hoped for more from one of the league’s best defensive forwards, and he missed an opportunity late in the third quarter that might have kept Hawthorn in touch.

Cyril Rioli – 7
Both of the Hawks’ wingmen were shaded by their opponents in a game that was crying out for some of Rioli’s magic. Though there were occasions when it appeared almost inevitable that Rioli would find himself running into an open goal, bad luck and a dogged Eagles defence conspired to keep him out. Showed his class with a couple of nice traps in the greasy conditions.

Jarryd Roughead – 7
The big Rough tried hard on the night and was one of his side’s better performers, often looking like the only player who might be able to pull the Hawks out of the mire when the ball was in dispute inside 50. Took seven marks and kicked two goals, though he probably should have had a couple more. Was sloppy at times with his ball use. 

Liam Shiels – 6
He’s had a breakout season, but wasn’t at his best against the Eagles. Perhaps what was most impressive was his pressure on the ball carrier, which saw him lay a game-high nine tackles. Missed a goal that could have given the Hawks hope in the third term.  Had 16 possessions. 

Isaac Smith – 5
In hindsight, he might have been better sitting this one out with the knee injury he suffered against Carlton. Smith was reasonable in gathering 16 possessions and kicking a goal, but was unable to provide the outside run that the Hawks so desperately needed if they were to beat West Coast in the wide-open expanses of Domain Stadium. Kicked one goal, but had little real impact. 

Ben Stratton – 5
Stuck to his task on Jack Darling. Had Hawthorn been offered during the week a scenario whereby Darling would have six possessions and kick just one goal for the match, they would have snapped it up. Unfortunately, West Coast’s other forwards filled the void and Stratton managed only three possessions of his own. Darling’s forward pressure was important, too. 

Matthew Suckling – 5
Gave away a silly 50m penalty that handed West Coast a goal and put them on the road to a dominant second quarter. Had 15 possessions, but was not as precise as he usually is, largely due to West Coast’s much-vaunted forward pressure.