Here’s what you might have missed from the weekend…

Rivalry lives on

Hawthorn and Geelong are masters at turning up the heat and Friday night’s clash proved no different. As we have become accustom to with Hawthorn v Geelong finals, it was an epic clash with see-sawing momentum shifts. The final term encapsulated the tensions of the entire game with five final term lead changes only for the final score to be determined by an after-siren shot at goal from Isaac Smith.

Watch: The Moments - Qualifying Final v Geelong.

Age no barrier

Hawthorn’s veterans certainly proved they have lots of fuel left in the tank on Friday night. Jordan Lewis had finals fever, leading disposals for the Hawks across all four quarters and finishing the game wirh a total of 36 possessions. Lewis had the backing of fellow long-term teammates Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge, who racked up 30 and 20 disposals respectively.

High profile Hawks ‘Embrace The Hunt’

Some of the Hawks’ more high profile supporters have embraced the hunt this finals campaign. Stephen Quartermain, Tamsyn Lewis, Lehmo and Lisa Alexander all showed their support of the Hawks across social media on the weekend.

 

Burgoyne adds to the history books

Friday’s qualifying final marked Shaun Burgoyne’s 32nd final across his 318-game career. Surpassing Collingwood’s Gordon Coventry, Burgoyne now positions himself second for most finals played and trails behind fellow Hawk Michael Tuck with 39 finals.

Burgoyne kicked two goals for the match, including a crucial kick on the run which gave the Hawks a four-point lead late in the final term.

Rioli sizzles

The pressure of finals can’t stop Cyril. The superstar brought his a-game moves to Friday night’s clash and had the crowd captivated with his third-quarter screamer.

 

 

Hawks looking to soar above the dogs

The Hawks are set to face the Western Bulldogs this Friday in a semi-final at the MCG. The dogs come off a 37-point win over West Coast from Thursday’s elimination final. The last time the two sides met it went down to the wire a Etihad stadium, so fans could be in for another heart stopper.

The winner of Friday’s semi-final will go on to play GWS at Spotless Stadium in the Preliminary final.

 

Chins up, let’s go again

Senior Coach Alistair Clarkson has insisted players keep their ‘chins up’ and look ahead to Hawthorn’s semi-final agasint the Western Bulldogs. Following Friday’s two-point loss to Geelong, he asserted that the Hawks are still in the race for the premiership despite now needing to do it “the hard way”.

Whilst briefly acknowledging some missed opportunities from players in the second half of Friday’s loss, Clarkson has encouraged the squad to make the most of their second chance against the Dogs.

Watch: Alistair Clarkson's post match press conference.