Victors will have a sleepless night as star player is put on report for high tackle.
Hawthorn has won a hard-fought clash against the Sydney Swans to ensure they will finish on top of the ladder downing their close rivals by 12 points at ANZ Stadium.
The win 17.10 (112) to 16.4 (100) win means the teams will most likely play again in the first round of the finals in a mouth-watering prospect, as it will be a grand final replay from 2012.
In news that bodes well for Hawthorn fans, their side has finished minor premiers eight times and every year they finished on top of the ladder then went on to play in the grand final.
But the other big talking point from the game will be the likely suspension of Hawthorn star Lance Franklin for his high bump, which could see him sit out 1-2 weeks.
It was a battle between half-backs lines for the opening 10 minutes as both side’s midfield battled for superiority.
Jesse White continued his stellar form for the Swans when he bagged the first goal of the game as he battled well for the ball to soccer it off the ground.
Sydney’s Jude Bolton celebrated his news he will retire at he end of the season has he kicked well from a set shot to give his side the lead again in what was still a tense and tight first term.
The home started to find their rhythm as they looked dangerous every time they went forward.
The bloods then applied good tackling pressure through the midfield as they earned extra possessions with White’s second from 55 metres out giving the home side an important 18-point lead.
Sydney secured a 32-14 lead at the end of the first term after Kieren Jack slotted another major for the home side as the siren sounded.
Franklin was then put on report for a high shot on Nick Malceski with Hawks star to have a case to answer for as the Swans extended their soon after.
Sydney continued to play with more energy around the ball and across half-forward, as their small men came into the game in their forward fifty.
The Hawks slowly started to work their way into the game in the second quarter as they got quality possession in their forward fifty.
And when Franklin bagged his first as he was being dragged to the ground, the Hawks has kicked three goals in a row as the margin shrunk to five.
A double to Gary Rohan gave the Swans some breathing room as he showed what is capable of, and in the process, blunting the Hawks’ fightback.
Sydney started the better of the two sides as they skipped out to a 21-point lead as they slowly squeezed Hawthorn out of the game with a vital 10 minutes before the final break.
Franklin gave his side a slim hope as he bagged his second for the game soon after as he kicked truly from a set shot before Roughead goaled to make the margin 10.
Much like at the end of the second quarter the Hawks made a run at the home side, with the big test coming to see if they can deny the Swans once.
Hawthorn bagged two quick goals to start the fourth term as they grabbed the lead for the first time since mid-way through the first quarter.
In the blink of an eye, Roughead bagged his fourth for the game as the Hawks started the final period on fire to take their biggest lead of the game at nine.
From there the Hawks showed more class and coolness under pressure, despite the Swans continuing to fight until the final siren.
COMMENTS