HAWTHORN will embark on its first finals campaign since 2001having to rebound from a 72-point loss to Sydneyat the SCG.

The loss means Hawthorn misses out on a place in the top-four. They will face Adelaide in an elimination final next week.

After Lance Franklin kicked a booming goal from outside the 50marc to open the Hawk’s account in the opening 40 seconds, the parochial home crowdof 27,498 looked uneasy at the prospect of a loss on the eve of the finals.

Franklinnarrowly missed his second goal one minute later – after confidentlytaking on two opponents – and the Buddy show looked like it was in full swing.

However, Sydneywas able to flick the switch and pile on their best half of football in recentmemory, kicking 14 of the next 16 majors.

In a devastating blow to Hawthorn’s engine room, ChanceBateman left the field 10 minutes into the first term with what appeared to bea hamstring or quad injury.

The tough West Australian did not return to the field andwas heavily iced on the bench before heading into the rooms.

Five minutes later, Grant Birchall went into the umpire’sbook - a reportthat may have quite an impact on Hawthorn’s elimination final next week.

With his team down by 71 points approaching half time, TrentCroad tried to inspire his team with a courageous leap into an oncoming pack.However, his brave effort earned him a heavy collision with teammate SimonTaylor.

Trying to regain his feet, Croad’s legs went to jelly and theclearly concussed 2005 All-Australian had to be assisted from the field as thehalf-time siren sounded.

Croad’s example – probably combined with an AlistairClarkson half-time bake – seemed to lift the Hawks, who played the thirdquarter with more of the intensity that has lifted them into Septembercontention this season.

Tim Boyle missed a shot on goal to start the quarter, butfollowed it up with a ferocious tackle on Ryan O’Keefe, which was followed upwhen Ben Dixon wrapped up Jude Bolton.

Dixonconverted the goal from the 50m paint – the first of his two goals – andHawthorn were spurred into action.

Luke Hodge, who had been well held by a plucky Luke Ablettin the first half, suddenly broke free in a superb third quarter.

He collected eight possessions, laid four tackles and kickeda goal after a scuffle with Peter Everitt earned him a free kick and 50mpenalty.

While Sydney kept thescoreboard ticking over, after Jarryd Roughead showed his strength by shrugginga tackle and dribbled through a clever goal, Hawthorn had won the quarter 6.2to Sydney’s4.4.

Hawthorn, who were two men down for the entire second halfwith both Bateman and Croad not returning to play, continued to battle untilthe final siren, losing the second half by just one point.

On a disappointing day, there was still a number of worthyperformances from the Hawks.

Captain Richie Vandenberg worked hard all day, as did ShaneCrawford, who finished with 23 touches after some close attention from renownedSydney taggerJared Crouch.

Hawthorn’s twin towers, Simon Taylor and Robert Campbell,were impressive against the damaging Sydneyruck duo of Peter Everitt and Darren Jolly.

Campbell finished with 20hit-outs – as many as anyone else on the ground – while Taylor booted two goals including a 70-metremonster that was launched just shy of the centre circle.

While today’s result may serve as a reality check for theyoung Hawks, they still have their first final in six years to look forward toin the more friendly surrounds of Melbourne.

SYDNEY    5.6   14.8  18.8   22.9 (141)

HAWTHORN  1.2    3.3   9.5   10.9  (69)

GOALS
Sydney: N Davis 4 M O'Loughlin 4 R O'Keefe 3 J Crouch 2 NMalceski 2 P Bevan B Mathews A Goodes T Richards L Ablett E Barlow J McVeigh.
Hawthorn: B Dixon 2 S Taylor 2 L Franklin T Boyle R Ladson LHodge C Brown J Roughead.

BEST
Sydney: A Goodes R O'Keefe B Kirk C Bolton N Davis L BarryP Everitt M O'Loughlin.
Hawthorn: S Crawford R Vandenberg J Lewis S Mitchell.

Umpires: S McBurney M Stevic S McInerney

Official crowd: 27,498 at the SCG.