The Hawthorn Hawks have claimed back-to-back AFL premierships defeating the Sydney Swans 21.11.137 – 11.8.74 at the MCG on a glorious Saturday afternoon.
From start to finish it was the Hawthorn Hawks who dominated the 2014 AFL Grand Final. Key forward Jaryd Roughead kicked a bag (5.1), Brian Lake was strong at the back and Norm Smith Medallist for the second time and captain Luke Hodge led the way throughout the match. Lance Franklin was running hot, kicking 4 goals, but could not rescue Sydney from a powerful Hawks squad.
In a scintillating opening quarter, the Hawks began with ferocious intensity. A massive 22 tackles to the Swans 7, Hawthorn stunted Sydney’s opportunities going forward.
Josh Kennedy kicked the opening goal of the grand final with a 58 metre bomb on the run.
The Hawthorn Hawks were able to translate their physical pressure into points. They kicked 5 goals to Sydney’s 2 (5.5.35 – 2.3.15), with majors to Hill, Langford, Gunston, Puopolo and Breust. The Swans spotlight man Lance Franklin kicked 1/3.
Former Hawk, Ben McGlynn, began the second quarter with a long range goal the Swans needed to remain close.
Luke Breust shook off the cobwebs after a knock to the head to kick Hawthorn’s first goal of the second quarter and their lead back out to 22.
Luke Hodge stood up as the leader he has proven to be over the years on the biggest stage. Kicking two in the second quarter and providing some inspiring physical exchanges, he helped the Hawks establish a commanding lead of 47 points with 10 minutes to go.
Goals for Sydney to Adam Goodes and Buddy Franklin revitalised the Swans hopes towards the end of the quarter, but the Swans still had much to do in the second half. The Hawks up by 42 at the main break.
The largest margin overcome in a grand final was 44 points by Carlton in 1970.
“We were not hard enough around the contest,” was the reflection of coach John Longmire at half-time.
When asked how the Swans were going to get back into the contest, Longmire responded simply, “We need to make sure we have real energy.”
Sydney lifted their intensity in the third converting a couple of majors (Franklin, Jack), but the Hawkthorn Hawks controlled the ball superbly, showing the composure that a 7-goal lead can bring.
Jarryd Roughead kicked his third and Hawks into three figures (15.11.101 – 7.4.46) inside the final ten minutes of the third quarter.
One of the most improved players throughout the year for the Hawks Will Langford kicked a spectacular goal in the third from a Sydney fumble in what was arguably the goal of the day.
Breust (3) kicked the opening goal of the final term and the Hawks seemed to be cruising, soaking up the winning feeling on the pitch.
Lance Franklin kicked his 4th goal with 12 minutes to go in the match. Playing a solid role up front, the star forward struggled to get good service throughout the match.
Jarryd Roughead finished with 5.1, capping off a terrific season for the forward.
The Hawks won each quarter in the final, kicking at least 5-goals, and securing the premiership for another year in emphatic fashion.
Hawks coach Alistair Clarkson was brimming with pride after witnessing his side control the final with such maturity.
“We played four quarters of really tough footy… a fitting reward for this group. Fitting premiers,” commented Clarkson.
Luke Hodge was awarded the Norm Smith Medal after a riotous opening half. His second, but the selfless Hawks Captain praised the effort of his team:
“Most people wrote us off… but this team handled everything that was thrown at them throughout the year.”
The Hawthorn Hawks square the ledger 1-1 in overall grand final victories played out between the two sides, in what is now a well-established rivalry.
