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Final Score


GF_Wrap


Hawthorn 18.7 (115) d Geelong 11.23 (89)
 

At a glance

Hero:
Stuart Dew. When the game was there to be won it was the former Port Adelaide premiership player who rose to the occasion. Blessed with a physique not normally suited to the wide open expanses of an Australian Rules football field, Dew has nevertheless made the most of his formidable assets, which include enormous power and a raking left boot. He used both to marvellous effect in a stunning five minute burst in the third quarter, kicking two goals and setting up one for Mark Williams with sheer strength. It proved a game breaking turn.

Goat:
Brad Ottens. The second quarter was one of the fiercest and most intense seen in any grand final. A desperate 10 minute arm-wrestle during which neither team could conjure a goal appeared to be over when Paul Chapman intercepted a risky cross-field kick from the Hawks. The nuggety forward followed up and soccered the ball through to Brad Ottens who was all alone inside the forward 50. The lanky ruckman collected, turned, bounced and ran in -- and missed from point blank range. It was the beginning of the yips for the Cats, who would go on to kick 11 behinds in a row.

Turning point:
They don't call it the premiership quarter for nothing. Geelong had been dominant around the ground but thanks to Hawthorn's desperation and the Cats' poor kicking in front of goal, had not been able to translate its advantage to the scoreboard. Scores were level midway through the third term when strong work from Michael Osborne won a free kick in Hawthorn's forward line. He dished off to Luke Hodge whose goal put the Hawks in front and started a run of five in a row which blew the game open and gave Hawthorn a match-winning lead.

Bonus points:
... to Cam Mooney. The big Cat has never been known for his Peter Daicos-like efforts before but a brilliant first quarter play matched anything from the Macedonian marvel. It was deep into red time when Mooney collected the ball hard against the boundary line in the forward pocket. He calmly slotted the goal; a moment we hoped he enjoyed. Mooney missed several easy chances later in the game, contributing to his team's horrendous accuracy in front of goal. 

... to old fashioned footy. There was a bit of softening up before the bounce and we even saw a coach deliver a contemporary style bake when Bomber Thompson had a long and strong word to Matthew Stokes at quarter time. We also enjoyed some of the most intense footy played anytime in the last ten years.

... to Melbourne's weather. A crowd of over 100,000 (the first in over 20 years) were treated to postcard perfect conditions at the MCG with brilliant sunshine and a light breeze taking the edge off an unseasonable high of 27 degrees. Clouds were rolling in down Corio Bay way, though.

... to Shane Crawford. Should he choose to retire, the Hawk champion will have a quiver full of football accolades to reflect on during his leisurely weekends. But Brownlow medals, best and fairests, All-Australian selection and representation in International Rules series will all pale when compared to this ultimate honour.
 

Match Report

HAWTHORN has stunned red-hot favourites Geelong to take out the 2008 grand final by 26 points at the MCG on Saturday.

The Cats will rue their wastefulness in front of goal with 11 behinds in succession effectively ruining their chances of back-to-back flags, but the determined Hawks thoroughly deserved the 18.7 (115) to 11.23 (89) victory in front of 100,012 fans.

For the full match report, click here

Quarter by quarter reports:

Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4
 

stats

Leading possession winners:

Hawthorn:
Xavier Ellis 28
Brad Sewell 27
Michael Osborne 26

Geelong:
Gary Ablett 34
Steve Johnson 34
Joel Selwood 29

Click here for full match stats
 

extras

 

Match details

Geelong  5.3  6.12  9.18  11.23  (89)
Hawthorn  5.2  8.3  14.5  18.7  (115)

GOALS
Geelong: Mooney 2, Ablett 2, Rooke 2, Lonergan 2, Chapman, Milburn, Johnson
Hawthorn: Williams 3, Dew 2, Rioli 2, Franklin 2, Roughead 2, Bateman, Ellis, Brown, Young, Hodge, Mitchell, Ladson

BEST
Geelong: Ablett, Scarlett, Selwood, Chapman, Corey
Hawthorn: Hodge, Sewell, Crawford, Dew, Ellis, Osborne, Williams

INJURIES
Geelong: Harley (concussion),
Hawthorn: Croad (foot), Young (ankle)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Vozzo, McLaren, Ryan

Official crowd: 100,012 at the MCG
 

Reaction

 

Player Ratings: Hawthorn

Chance Bateman - 7
The dreadlocked midfielder picked up Joel Selwood early then spent time on Gary Ablett. He split his chin in the fourth quarter and came back on with a bandaged jaw. Was handy with 16 touches and provided plenty of drive into attack.

Grant Birchall - 7
Solid performance with 23 possessions and four tackles. Dropped off a little in the fourth, but was an important member of the rebounding term.

Campbell Brown - 8
Had a terrific first quarter against Tom Harley and was an imposing force up forward. Injury to Trent Croad saw him move down back and man Cameron Mooney after halftime. Ended with 16 touches and one goal.

Full Hawthorn ratings
 

Player Ratings: Geelong

Gary Ablett - 8
Had a couple of electrifying bursts in the first half, and had 17 touches and four clearances by half time. Ended with 34 touches (game-high, equal with Steve Johnson), eight clearances, and never stopped trying.

Jimmy Bartel - 7
Exploded out of the blocks for a 13-touch first quarter, but went missing in the second. Finished with 24 touches and lacked the influence he usually brings to the fray. 

Mark Blake - 4
The omission from last year's Grand Final side started on the bench and came on to handle himself just fairly. Had 20 hit-outs, but didn't get much of it otherwise.

Full Geelong ratings
 

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