Luke Breust – 2
Won't remember this finals series too fondly after being held goalless opposed to Neville Jetta. Gunston was the lone hand in attack for the Hawks and they needed their other All Australian player to stand up to help pick up the slack. Had just 13 disposals and minimal impact.

Shaun Burgoyne – 5
The Hawks veteran usually stands up when his team needs him to but, for whatever reason, Burgoyne could not muster it on Friday night. Was far from Hawthorn's worst player but didn't hit the scoreboard nor did he impact the game physically. Won a 'sliding rule' free kick in controversial circumstances when Angus Brayshaw attempted to win a ground ball that drew the ire of onlookers.

Ryan Burton – 6
The Hawks young gun had 17 disposals and generally defended strongly when the footy was in the air, finishing with a team-high seven one-percenters. Hawthorn will be hoping he can improve markedly in his third season at AFL level in 2019 after a less than stellar sophomore year.

DEMONS DREAMIN' Full match details and stats

Taylor Duryea – 2
Brought into the side with Jaeger O'Meara out through injury, Duryea had just 12 disposals and a limited impact on the game in defence. Failed to hold his feet in a crucial marking contest with Mitch Hannan that put the Dees clear by 26 points in the latter stages of the third term. Was playing in his first match at AFL level since round 17 and it showed. 

James Frawley – 2
Had the Tom McDonald matchup and was badly beaten by his former Melbourne teammate. The Hawks needed him to stand strong and he wasn't able to do it. Turned the footy over at a critical stage in the second term and almost fluffed a handball not long after.

Jack Gunston – 8
Was Hawthorn's best player but his night will (unfortunately) be remembered by a momentum-swinging missed opportunity in the third term. Was steaming into an open goal only to see his shot cannon into the post and then see Neal-Bullen answer at the other end. Tried to spark the Hawks with a goal at the start of the fourth quarter but it wasn't enough. Was unsually inaccurate with 3.5.

Blake Hardwick – 4
Went into the game under an injury cloud and was nowhere near his best. The tough defender had 11 disposals and although he stood in the hole to take some important marks in the first quarter, his influence waned. Appeared to be troubled by a leg complaint.

Ricky Henderson – 7
A solid performance from the former Crow saw him gather 21 disposals, rack up five inside 50s and contribute three score assists. Likes to break the lines and use the footy and there was no better example than his kick to find Harry Morrison across the goal face in the fourth term.

NO ONE-TRICK PONIES Things we learned 

Daniel Howe – 7
Put his body on the line for his team, winning 15 disposals and laying four tackles. Had the job on Angus Brayshaw and did a good job curtailing his impact. Howe is a task-oriented player and he generally does those assignments well.

Jarman Impey – 2
Was one of the Hawks' best against Richmond last week but the speedster was well held against the Demons. Couldn't separate the game as much as he can when up and going. The Hawks needed more from the former Power player, especially when they had kicked just nine goals to three-quarter time.

Ben McEvoy – 5
Did not get blown off the park in his matchup with Gawn, but the Demons' big man had more influence than McEvoy. When he's at his best, McEvoy can drift forward and take marks inside 50 but that part of his game was nullified by Gawn. Had 25 hit-outs to Gawn's 41.

WATCH The three moments that mattered

David Mirra – 7
Was the replacement for Ben Stratton and the Hawks journeyman acquitted himself well against the Demons. Held up strongly under a barrage of inside 50s from Melbourne in the second and third terms and had 19 disposals by the end of the night. One of Hawthorn's best. 

Tom Mitchell – 7
Copped a heavy bump from Neville Jetta in the first quarter that saw him grabbing for his AC joint and spending time off the ground to receive treatment. Returned soon after but his impact was limited. Had James Harmes to contend with who made him earn every kick. Still, Mitchell battled on bravely and won 24 touches and eight clearances. 

Harry Morrison – 2
The youngster showed promise throughout the home and away season, enough to suggest he'll be a good player for Hawthorn. But in two big finals against Richmond and Melbourne he could not recapture that sort of form. Had 13 disposals but no influence.

Conor Nash – 2
The Irishman has a lack of football experience and just four disposals (the least on the ground) underlines that fact. Run down by Clayton Oliver in a tackle late in the game as he tried to streak away into the forward 50 highlighted that missing game sense.

Paul Puopolo – 4
His ballistic pace was important at times and it was on show in the play that led to James Worpel's goal in the first term. However, the veteran forward went to ground too easily on occasions and had just 12 disposals, including one goal, for the night. Appeared to limp off late in the game.

Jarryd Roughead – 4
Did his best to compete and kicked a clutch goal after a free kick in the final quarter to bring his side back to within 12 points. But on a night where Hawthorn's ball moment largely stagnated, the skipper did not have a great opportunity to impose himself on the contest. 

HE'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE Clarko wants Roughead to play on

Ryan Schoenmakers – 4
Playing in just his ninth game of the season, Schoenmakers got the ball rolling with a great one-on-one mark against Frost to kick the first goal of the game. But, although he did his best to present, his impact was minimal after that. Finished with two goals and six possessions. 

THE MOMENT How Gunston's howler stopped the Hawks

Liam Shiels – 5
Was given the task of running with Clayton Oliver and he tried to be aggressive, banging into him at every opportunity, and constantly aimed to get under the star midfielder's skin. Missed a crucial handball that would have sent Sicily on his way outside 50, but instead led to a game-turning Neal-Bullen goal. 

James Sicily – 6
Sicily did a lot of defending and not enough attacking, which is when he is at his best. The Hawks firebrand had 17 disposals and five rebound 50s but, emblematic of Hawthorn's careful game style, Sicily did not take the game on as much as he usually does. Hard to tell whether the period he missed after breaking his wrist affected his conditioning during the finals.

Isaac Smith – 6
Smith ended his night with 22 disposals, although just one of those possessions was contested. Despite that, the vice-captain tried hard and at least attempted to take the game on despite being caught holding the ball at one stage. The highlight of his night was a brilliant goal on the run from 50m that kickstarted Hawthorn's late fightback.

James Worpel – 3
The first-year midfielder had big shoes to fill with Jaeger O'Meara out of the line-up and although he gave it his all, it's a big ask for a 19-year-old to have an impact in a high-pressure final. Finished an important end-to-end goal in the first term but was quiet then on with just nine touches.