The Hawks were second to the ball for most of the second and third quarters, but resisted wave after wave of Geelong attacks. They broke loose last in the third term and ran away to win 18.7 (115) to 11.23 (89).
For their part, the Cats have been denied back-to back flags despite losing just two games for the entire season, including finals. They had 34 scoring shots to 25 in this game, and should have had a healthy buffer by half time.
The Hawks’ was a masterful spoiling performance, restricting Geelong to just two goals in almost two quarters of football, before seizing the initiative as the Cats wilted.
The fourth term was a dour arm-wrestle, then a barely-restrained celebration as Hawthorn kicked away.
Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin had a quiet afternoon but sealed the victory, swinging onto his left boot to kick the opening goal of the term, 12 minutes in.
Skipper Sam Mitchell added another in his first significant act of the afternoon, 90 seconds later. It was party time by the time Rick Ladson had become Hawthorn’s 12th goal scorer and Jarryd Roughead had kicked his second.
2007 Norm Smith Medallist Steve Johnson worked tirelessly for Geelong, while Joel Corey and Joel Selwood also kept their legs while their teammates faded.
Hawthorn’s was a team effort, with Mitchell’s seven tackles epitomising their resilience. Brad Sewell was outstanding, alongside Shane Crawford, who now has a premiership medal in his 17th season.
The Cats must now face the reality that, like Essendon in 1999-2001, they may take only one premiership despite having the dominant team of the period.
Full report and details to follow.
Geelong 5.3 6.12 9.18 11.23 (89)
Hawthorn 5.2 8.3 14.5 18.7 (115)
GOALS
Geelong: Ablett 2, Lonergan 2, Mooney 2, Rooke 2, Chapman, Johnson, Milburn
Hawthorn: Williams 3, Dew 2, Franklin 2, Rioli 2, Roughead 2, Bateman, Brown, Ellis, Hodge, Ladson, Mitchell, Young
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
