Hawthorn took a big step towards going one better than last year’s runner-up finish by crushing AFL defending premiers Sydney by 54 points in Friday night’s qualifying final at the MCG.
The Hawks led by 25 points at the final change thanks to a brilliant third-quarter display from halfback Luke Hodge and the home side surged clear with five consecutive goals early in the final term to claim victory 15.15 (105) to 7.9 (51) in front of 59,615 fans.
Hawthorn’s emphatic performance puts the minor premiers directly into the preliminary final in a fortnight, while the Swans will host a semi-final next week against the winner of the Richmond-Carlton elimination final.
Hawthorn are set to be strengthened by the return of star forwards Cyril Rioli (ankle) and Lance Franklin (suspended) for their preliminary final game.
The pair’s absence appeared to be keenly felt in Hawthorn’s four-goal first half, but Coleman Medallist Jarryd Roughead, held goal-less by the Swans in last year’s grand final, finished with two goals as did ruck/forward David Hale.
Jack Gunston also played a key role up forward with a game-high three goals for the Hawks.
Kieren Jack and Josh Kennedy were busy in midfield for the Swans but the visitors found Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell hard to stop as the Hawks dominated the second half with 11 goals to Sydney’s three.
Scores had been locked at 4.7 (31) each after a tight first half.
Big forward Kurt Tippett kicked two of Sydney’s three first-quarter goals but it was the Hawks who claimed a one-point lead at quarter-time, before both sides kicked a goal in the second term.
Hawthorn broke away to lead by 25 points at three-quarter time. Skipper Hodge at halfback was the architect of Hawthorn’s five-goal third term as the home side restricted the Swans to 1.1.
Hodge’s match-up against big forward Jesse White was causing the Swans enormous headaches and White was at one stage moved to defence.
Ryan O’Keefe gave Sydney a lift with a goal early in the final term.
However the Hawks put the game out of Sydney’s reach with another five-goal burst, this time in just eight minutes, to jump out to a 51-point lead at the 14-minute mark.
