Jed Anderson
6 – Couldn't have done much more as the starting substitute. Came on at the 20-minute mark of the third quarter and immediately threw himself bravely into a pack, getting unluckily penalised for contact below the knees. Shanked a set shot on goal early in the fourth quarter, but made up for it with a huge pack mark at the top of the goalsquare, converting his set shot. Also drove the ball nicely inside 50 in a piece of play that led to a David Hale goal. A very promising debut final.
Max Bailey
5 – Gave a good contest in the ruck, which the Hawks didn't have without him last week. However, he failed to have much influence on general play, save for a mark and goal during Hawthorn's third quarter surge. Was subbed off 10 minutes later in response to the Swans' subbing off of Shane Mumford, finishing with 17 hitouts.
Grant Birchall
7 – For the second week in a row, wasn't tagged by the Swans, allowing him to find plenty of the football. Provided some nice rebound off half-back, drove the ball into forward 50 four times, and missed a running shot on goal during the second quarter. Finished with 26 disposals at 96 per cent efficiency.
Luke Breust
6 – Very quiet offensively up until three-quarter-time, at which point he'd gathered only six disposals, including a missed set shot he would normally kick. Got more involved in the last quarter, taking some nice leading marks, firing a sharp handball to David Hale for a goal, and snapping one of his own. Was typically honest with his forward pressure from start to finish, laying seven tackles.
Shaun Burgoyne
7 – Spent most of the night down back, with a little stint up forward during the second and third quarters. Found plenty of the football, but didn't catch the eye quite in the same fashion as Luke Hodge or Brent Guerra. Still, he was rock solid and his 26 disposals made him an important link player in the Hawks' drives forward.
Josh Gibson
9 – The courageous defender showed why he was named in the All Australian squad with a huge performance. Was nominally opposed to Mike Pyke for most of the game, but simply went where the ball was, launching himself into every contest. His quick hands were also a feature when the Hawks were working the ball out of defence. Copped a corked left quad late in the third quarter but soldiered on, his effectiveness not dampened.
Brent Guerra
8 – Showed just why the Hawks missed him so much in the finals last year with an exhibition of foot skills, despite some close attention from Swans youngster Tom Mitchell. The highlights were a bullet pass to Liam Shiels during Hawthorn's third-quarter surge, and another to Jarryd Roughead at the 10-minute mark of the final term. Never beaten one-on-one and critical to the Hawks' rebound.
Jack Gunston
7 – The young forward presented strongly across the 50-metre arc, doing a lot of his better work just out of range of goal. However, he did creep close enough to boot 3.1, his behind coming from a rare set shot miss. As he has made a habit of doing, he stepped up in the absence of Lance Franklin, and his 10 marks was an equal game-high with Guerra.
David Hale
8 – A more than handy game from the ruckman, particularly after he was handed solo tap duties following Bailey's subbing from the ground. Kicked his first goal during the opening quarter courtesy of a nice pass from Luke Hodge, and his second was a quick snap after receiving a handball from Breust during the fourth. Also fired a nice handball out of the ruck to Paul Puopolo for a goal late in the third.
Bradley Hill
6 – The youngster was far from out of place in his first career final, running hard up and down the wing and also spending some time in the forward line. Still goes quiet for periods during matches, but his three tackles was a sign that he was prepared to do the grunt work as well as receiving the ball on the outside.
Luke Hodge
9 – Simply a brilliant game from the skipper, who was dominant throughout, but especially early in the third quarter when Hawthorn broke the game open. Played on Jesse White but, like Gibson, went where the ball went, continually chopping off Swans kicks across half-back. Surely the best reader of play in football. Best on ground.
Brian Lake
7 – Recruited to the Hawks for just this occasion, and made a good fist of his first final in brown and gold. Played on Kurt Tippett, who kicked two goals in the first quarter but was quiet thereafter. Was also out-marked by Mike Pyke in the third quarter, resulting in a goal. Got a bit of his own back when he took Tippett forward early in the third quarter, marked on the lead, and slotted his shot from 50 metres out.
Jordan Lewis
7 – The Hawks' leading clearance player, with seven, and he won them at big moments. Hard and tough as always, his standout efforts were a clean centre clearance at the start of the final term that gave Roughead a shot on goal, and a handball from a forward line stoppage that set up Breust 13 minutes later. A dependable finals performer.
Sam Mitchell
9 – A superb game from the former captain, who was once again tagged by Ryan O'Keefe, and this time had the better of the battle. Played the entire game in the midfield and was at his best early when the game was at its hottest, winning 10 of his 29 disposals in the first term. Vying with Hodge and Gibson for best afield honours.
Paul Puopolo
7 – Has been looking forward to his opportunity to atone for last year's quiet finals series, and took a big first step towards redemption. While his 20 disposals and a goal told part of the story, his real contribution was in his manic pressure and repeated efforts. His desperation was especially important early in the game when the Swans looked threatening. His goal came courtesy of a Hale handball from a forward pocket stoppage, which he snapped through with clinical efficiency.
Jarryd Roughead
5 - A relatively quiet night for the Coleman medallist, who was closely marked by Ted Richards. He dropped his first two chances to mark and missed his first attempt at goal, before finally opening his account with a running shot from 50 metres out. He was then quiet through the middle part of the game, before getting more involved in the last, when he took three of his five marks and booted his second goal.
Brad Sewell
8 – A proven finals performer, Sewell rose to the occasion once again. He got to every contest and burrowed to the bottom of every pack, continually emerging with the ball. Although his disposal by foot could have been better, he could be somewhat excused given so many of his possessions were won under pressure. His 30 disposals was a team-high.
Liam Shiels
6 – Came into the team late for Cyril Rioli and made a handy contribution, without starring. Spent some time forward and some in the midfield, and wasn't handed a run-with role as he has often been this season. The highlight of his night came when he took a nice overhead mark in front of the taller Dane Rampe during the third quarter and converted the set shot.
Isaac Smith
7 – Went head-to-head with Daniel Hannebery on the wing, and his final tally of 13 disposals wasn't reflective of how hard he worked. Carried the ball several times, the best example coming when he found space and hit Bailey with a beautiful pass on his wrong foot during the third quarter, with the ruckman duly kicking a goal with the resulting set shot.
Matt Spangher
7 – A big-hearted, enthusiastic footballer who lacks polish but never effort. Acting as a quasi stand-in for Franklin, he provided a target, always bringing the ball to ground if he didn't mark. Kicked one goal and, showing his versatility, also spent a little bit of time in the ruck and down back. Highly likely to make way for Franklin in the preliminary final, but will be unlucky.
Ben Stratton
8 – Played on Gary Rohan for most of the night, with the speedy Swan managing just three disposals and one goal. Was also an important linkman from defence, with several of his possessions landing on his chest from the boot of Guerra. A typically strong effort from one of the Hawks' most dependable players.
Brendan Whitecross
7 – A good game from the midfielder, who has continued to work his way back towards peak form after returning from an anterior cruciate ligament rupture mid-season. Tackled hard, found space, and used the ball with polish moving forward.
