Qualifying Final
West Coast Eagles v Hawthorn
September 11, Domain Stadium
HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson labelled it a “pretty bad” performance.
The Hawks first final for 2015 was a nightmare, with West Coast Eagles claiming a 32-point win and automatic preliminary final berth at Domain Stadium.
Just one point separated the sides at quarter time, but from there the Eagles claimed the ascendancy.
At half time they led by 32 points, after holding the Hawks goalless in the second term. At the final change, that margin had stretched to almost nine goals.
A five-goal final term from the Hawks added some respectability to the scoreboard, but it was a very un-Hawthorn effort, as Clarkson explained post match.
“Just the little half chances that we had, especially throughout the course of the first half, fumbled balls, missed kicks, missed handballs, which was just so unlike us," he said.
Sam Mitchell was undoubtedly the Hawks’ best, picking up 35 disposals, while Luke Hodge bounced back from a quiet first half to finish with 29 disposals.
WEST COAST 2.2 7.6 12.11 14.12 (96)
HAWTHORN 2.3 2.4 4.9 9.10 (64)
Goals: Roughead 2, Burgoyne 2, Gunston, Rioli, Hale, Smith, Hodge
Best: Mitchell, Hodge, Rioli, Roughead, Lewis, Burgoyne, Shiels
Injuries: Gunston (right ankle)
Substitute: David Hale replaced by Taylor Duryea in the third quarter
Semi Final
Hawthorn v Adelaide Crows
September 18, MCG
AFTER a disappointing qualifying final, the Hawks bounced back with a point to prove.
An eight-goal-to-two opening term set the tone for a comprehensive 64-point semi final triumph over the Crows.
An electrifying start turned into a full four-quarter performance.
Luke Hodge kicked the first goal of the game, while Luke Breust kicked three in the first quarter before finishing with six for the game.
Coach Alastair Clarkson “expected a response” from the Hawks – and he got exactly that.
They dominated the disposal count (408-338) and the inside 50s (60-44) and had no shortage of winners across the ground.
Hodge was instrumental in the win, with 24 disposals and four goals, as was Breust, with the likes of Sam Mitchell, Josh Gibson and Grant Birchall all influential.
Defender Ben Stratton blanketed dangerous Crow Eddie Betts, while James Frawley returned to defence to play an equally important role of Adelaide skipper Taylor Walker.
HAWTHORN 8.4 11.6 16.7 21.9 (135)
ADELAIDE 2.2 4.3 6.7 8.13 (61)
Goals: Breust 6, Hodge 4, Smith 2, Roughead 2, Lewis 2, Suckling, Schoenmakers, Rioli, Hill, Puopolo
Best: Hodge, Breust, Frawley, Mitchell, Stratton, Birchall, Gibson, Burgoyne
Injuries: Lake (abdomen)
Substitute: David Hale replaced by Billy Hartung at three-quarter time
Preliminary Final
Fremantle v Hawthorn
September 25, Domain Stadium
HAWTHORN moved a step closer to the three-peat after beating Fremantle by 27 points in their preliminary final at Domain Stadium.
The Hawks silenced a parochial Dockers crowd, sealing a fourth consecutive grand final berth.
The hosts kicked the first two goals of the game, but from there the Hawks took charge, kicking the next seven to open up a 30-point lead early in the final term.
But the Dockers fought back, reducing the margin to less than two kicks after the half time break.
A determined Hawks outfit weathered the storm, before a big final term saw them home, with a Taylor Duryea goal from the pocket sealing the deal.
Sam Mitchell continued his outstanding finals series, collecting 35 disposals, while Duryea played arguably the game of his career.
Skipper Luke Hodge was again influential, but the Hawks had a wealth of contributors.
Cyril Rioli finished with three majors, while Jarryd Roughead, Ryan Schoenmakers and Matthew Suckling all finished with two.
FREMANTLE 2.1 4.4 8.4 10.7 (67)
HAWTHORN 5.2 7.2 11.3 15.4 (94)
Goals: Rioli 3, Schoenmakers 2, Suckling 2, Roughead 2, Smith, Hale, Breust, Hill, McEvoy, Duryea
Best: Mitchell, Hodge, Gibson, Duryea, Rioli, Stratton, Suckling
Injuries: Taylor Duryea (shoulder), Luke Hodge (leg)
Substitute: Billy Hartung replaced David Hale in the fourth quarter
