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MATT Suckling burst into tears after watching his Hawthorn teammates win the 2013 Grand Final.
The defender was elated for his teammates, but shattered to have missed out on playing in the premiership.
Suckling had been sidelined for the entire season after he ripped his right anterior cruciate ligament in the NAB Cup.
So when he left the Hawks' jubilant rooms last September and saw his childhood mate, wingman Isaac Smith, waiting outside, Suckling couldn't contain himself.
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"We played a lot of junior footy together and I burst into tears as I was walking out," he told AFL.com.au after the Hawks demolished the Swans on Saturday.
"And I couldn't really face up to the Grand Final dinner last year – I was pretty shattered.
"I went to the Grand Final dinner but once the boys got presented on stage I was a bit cut up to be honest (and left)."
The Hawks' hard luck stories from 2013 – Matt Spangher, Taylor Duryea and Suckling - drove the club to back-to-back flags on Saturday.
And after seeing his mate Suckling suffer so much heartache in 2013, Smith pledged the Hawks would win another flag.
"That was obviously a huge driving force for myself and, I know, a couple of other blokes in the team as well," Smith told AFL.com.au.
"It was a great feeling. I was running down the wing in the last quarter and I ran past him and said 'Hey mate, you've got one as well'. He just gave me a little smile.
"It's pretty brilliant. We obviously grew up together and it's been a long journey."
The New South Welshmen – including Luke Breust – have remained good friends at Hawthorn.
The defender was elated for his teammates, but shattered to have missed out on playing in the premiership.
Suckling had been sidelined for the entire season after he ripped his right anterior cruciate ligament in the NAB Cup.
So when he left the Hawks' jubilant rooms last September and saw his childhood mate, wingman Isaac Smith, waiting outside, Suckling couldn't contain himself.
Click here for full match coverage and stats
"We played a lot of junior footy together and I burst into tears as I was walking out," he told AFL.com.au after the Hawks demolished the Swans on Saturday.
"And I couldn't really face up to the Grand Final dinner last year – I was pretty shattered.
"I went to the Grand Final dinner but once the boys got presented on stage I was a bit cut up to be honest (and left)."
The Hawks' hard luck stories from 2013 – Matt Spangher, Taylor Duryea and Suckling - drove the club to back-to-back flags on Saturday.
And after seeing his mate Suckling suffer so much heartache in 2013, Smith pledged the Hawks would win another flag.
"That was obviously a huge driving force for myself and, I know, a couple of other blokes in the team as well," Smith told AFL.com.au.
"It was a great feeling. I was running down the wing in the last quarter and I ran past him and said 'Hey mate, you've got one as well'. He just gave me a little smile.
"It's pretty brilliant. We obviously grew up together and it's been a long journey."
The New South Welshmen – including Luke Breust – have remained good friends at Hawthorn.
Breust, who kicked three goals in the Grand Final, said the Hawks never lost sight of the carrot dangling for their unlucky teammates.
Even during a year that has thrown everything at the now back-to-back premiers.
"A lot of guys have been driving this year because Matty's a pretty popular guy around the club," Breust told AFL.com.au.
"So is Matty Spangher and so is Taylor Duryea. We all had our reasons why we wanted to get them one.
"That's who I feel for the most and I'm just over the moon for them."
Even during a year that has thrown everything at the now back-to-back premiers.
"A lot of guys have been driving this year because Matty's a pretty popular guy around the club," Breust told AFL.com.au.
"So is Matty Spangher and so is Taylor Duryea. We all had our reasons why we wanted to get them one.
"That's who I feel for the most and I'm just over the moon for them."
Fittingly, Sucklng – who had 18 touches and kicked a goal and Saturday - found himself with the Sherrin in hand as the final siren blew against the Swans.
Battle-hardened Hawk veterans too strong
"I didn't know what to do with that. I didn't know whether to kick it in the crowd," he said.
"I was probably trying to stick it up my jumper and take it home, but the umps were pretty quick and they got over and took it off me.
"It was pretty special (to win). Probably a few times through my career I didn't think I was going to get this opportunity.
"Obviously 2012 was a bad year, losing, and then missing out and seeing the boys win it last year.
"You can't really describe it; it's pretty emotional.
"By winning I think it gives back to all the people that have helped you over the journey.
"To see my mum and dad in tears – they've done so much for me – it's about sharing this.
"I'm the lucky one who gets to wear the medal but it's about giving back to them."
Battle-hardened Hawk veterans too strong
"I didn't know what to do with that. I didn't know whether to kick it in the crowd," he said.
"I was probably trying to stick it up my jumper and take it home, but the umps were pretty quick and they got over and took it off me.
"It was pretty special (to win). Probably a few times through my career I didn't think I was going to get this opportunity.
"Obviously 2012 was a bad year, losing, and then missing out and seeing the boys win it last year.
"You can't really describe it; it's pretty emotional.
"By winning I think it gives back to all the people that have helped you over the journey.
"To see my mum and dad in tears – they've done so much for me – it's about sharing this.
"I'm the lucky one who gets to wear the medal but it's about giving back to them."
Matt Suckling and Isaac Smith show off their premiership medals after Saturday's win. Picture: AFL Media
