THE SYDNEY Swans' season is over after falling short against Hawthorn at the MCG in Friday night's second semi-final.
The Swans were totally outclassed in the first half but surged back into the game after the main break, but were unable to go on with the job.
Hawthorn was 46 points up during the third quarter, and although the Swans narrowed the margin to 18 late in that term, Hawthorn prevailed 19.8 (122) to 13.8 (86).
It was the Hawks' first finals victory since it beat Geelong in the 2008 Grand Final.
Hawthorn star Lance Franklin produced the most eye-catching performance of the night.
The gun forward, who had appeared to suffer a serious knee injury in the previous week's qualifying final against Geelong, not only moved freely but also booted a game-high four goals.
Franklin's ability to shake off his injury - he was on the field for the majority of the game - has certainly boosted the Hawks' confidence as they look towards their big clash with the Magpies next Friday night.
Small forward Paul Puopolo chipped in with three goals for the winners, while David Hale and Chance Bateman kicked two each.
For the Swans, it was their 12th loss in their past 14 games at the MCG.
John Longmire's men didn't kick a goal until the 11-minute mark of second quarter, by which time they were 28 points down.
Adam Goodes, who was playing his 300th game, and high-flying youngster Gary Rohan sparked the underdogs' revival with some inspirational efforts leading up to the last change. But it wasn't enough to get their team over the line.
Adding to the Swans' disappointment, emerging midfielder Dan Hannebery suffered a recurrence of his shoulder problems and had to be subbed of the game during the second quarter.
The loss brought to an end the decorated career of Irishman Tadhg Kennelly, who was chaired off after having little impact in his 197th and final appearance.
In contrast, the Hawks' season goes on. If they beat Collingwood in a week's time they'll be in the big one.
Influential players
Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge led the way for the Hawks during the first half, although they managed only three possessions between them in the third quarter. Mitchell ended the game with 29 touches, while Hodge gathered 27.
Josh Gibson was a tower of strength in Hawthorn's backline. Matched against either Adam Goodes or Jesse White for much of the night, Gibson tallied more than 20 spoils.
Ex-Hawk Josh Kennedy (35 possessions) and ruckman Shane Mumford (47 hit-outs) were the most consistent performers for the Swans, while Goodes finished with 20 touches and three brilliant goals.
Buddy watch
All eyes were on Lance Franklin from the moment he walked into the ground. The fact he arrived wearing a club tracksuit, rather than a formal suit, was taken as an indication that he was playing, and the hunch proved correct when his name was on the team sheet.
Franklin lined up with his right knee heavily strapped and although he moved well in the early part of the game, it wasn't until the 12th minute of the opening quarter that he got his first possession when he marked a pass from Brendan Whitecross on the wing. The Hawks fans greeted Franklin's mark with a big cheer, but he then tried to play on and was caught holding the ball by Swans defender Martin Mattner.
In the second quarter, big Buddy took an impressive pack mark, went on a bouncing dash down the wing, and also kicked his first goal, which put the Hawks 46 points up.
Franklin continued to have an impact in the second half, and his great running goal in the last quarter had the crowd on its feet.
Magic moment
A lackadaisical defensive mix-up between youngsters Dan Hannebery and Nick Smith in the 23rd minute of the first quarter opened the door for Hawk Michael Osborne to tenaciously steal the ball.
As Hannebery and Smith looked on dumbfounded, Osborne sped away from them and dribbled a kick towards his team's goal. To the delight of the Hawthorn fans, the ball wobbled and bobbled and went through for a major.
Luke Hodge's brilliant running goal in the second quarter, kicked from 49m out close to the boundary, was also a magical piece of play.
Quarter by quarter
First quarter
Sam Reid had the first shot on goal of the game, but his point was the only Swans score of an opening term dominated by Hawthorn. Max Bailey made up for the errant kick that allowed Reid his shot by getting on the end of a Luke Hodge handpass in the goal square and the Hawks were off. It was only their poor kicking at goal that kept the Swans in it, but Michael Osborne ended a run of five behinds to put his team further ahead. Paul Puopolo, playing a defensive forward role, then stretched the margin with the last goal of the quarter.
Hawthorn by 22 points
Second quarter
Puopolo doubled his tally with the first of the second term, but Shane Mumford was finally able to break the Swans' drought soon after with a goal from a good contested mark. Adam Goodes hit the scoreboard with just his second kick of the game to keep the Swans in it, but Hawthorn just didn't miss when it went inside forward 50. Puopolo added a third, Cyril Rioli took a brilliant one-handed mark and Luke Hodge kicked a brilliant goal on the run out where the 50m arc meets the boundary line as the Hawks banged through seven goals straight to take control of the game.
Hawthorn by 40 points
Third quarter
The Swans looked all at sea as Chance Bateman booted two goals to take the margin out to a game-high 46 points. Their cause looked lost when Daniel Hannebery dislocated his shoulder and was subbed out, but his replacement, Luke Parker, helped spark the Swans. Matt Spangher, Tadhg Kennelly and Gary Rohan hit the scoreboard as Josh Kennedy found the ball at will. Ryan O'Keefe shook off a quiet night to take a good one-grab mark with his goal setting up an enthralling final term.
Hawthorn by 18 points
Fourth quarter
The Hawks needed the first goal of the last quarter just to calm their nerves and Liam Shiels delivered. The resurgent Swans still had a head of steam up, however, and when Goodes booted his third there was only 18 points in it. Lance Franklin looked tentative on his sore left knee early, but he warmed to the task late. His third and fourth goals took the wind out of the Swans' sails, with the visitors unable to make up for their early lethargy.
Hawthorn by 36 points
Match details
Hawthorn 3.5 10.5 12.6 19.8 (122)
Sydney Swans 0.1 4.1 9.6 13.8 (86)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 4, Puopolo 3, Bateman 2, Hale 2, Hodge, Burgoyne, Lewis, Rioli, Osborne, Bailey, Shiels, Suckling
Sydney Swans: Goodes 3, O'Keefe 3, McVeigh, Bird, Mumford, Kennelly, Reid, Rohan, Spangher
BEST
Hawthorn: Gibson, Hodge, Mitchell, Smith, Burgoyne, Hale, Franklin, Puopolo
Sydney Swans: Kennedy, Mumford, Goodes, McVeigh, Shaw, Bolton
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Sydney Swans: Hannebery (shoulder)
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Ben Stratton (knee) replaced by Matt Suckling in the fourth quarter
Sydney Swans: Daniel Hannebery (shoulder) replace by Luke Parker in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Nicholls, Ryan
Official crowd: 55,198 at MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
