Trailing by five points after the opening exchanges, the Hawks piled on 13 goals to one before easing to a 54-point win in front of 77,002 fans.
They won 18.10 (118) to 9.10 (64), setting up a dream grand final between the two standout teams of the year.
The clash will be a rematch of the enthralling round 17 match this year, which Geelong won by 11 points, and also the 1989 decider – widely regarded as one of history’s best.
The Hawks had winners all over the ground on a cool evening in Melbourne. They were superbly led by skipper Sam Mitchell, who amassed 33 damaging possessions. Jordan Lewis (27), Brad Sewell (27) and Clinton Young (21) provided excellent support.
Stephen Gilham was a late inclusion at the expense of Tom Murphy and he spent most of his time shutting down St Kilda danger man Nick Riewoldt.
The game-winner in last week’s semi-final against Collingwood, Riewoldt was a non-factor in the first half before kicking three goals when the game was beyond his side.
While the Saints focused on twin spearheads Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead, Mark Williams emerged as Hawthorn’s biggest forward threat, kicking five goals.
Roughead chipped in with four, but Coleman Medallist Franklin – perhaps saving himself for the grand final – was well held to a single goal by Max Hudghton.
Much attention ahead of the grand final will now centre on star onballer Luke Hodge, who played on after appearing to suffer a rib injury late in the first quarter.
Hodge coughed up blood after a marking collision with Justin Koschitzke, after which the Saint left the ground. Hodge played until quarter time, but left for treatment early in the second quarter. He returned to provide plenty of run off half-back and finished with 24 touches and 11 marks.
Brendon Goddard had 33 disposals for the Saints and Robert Harvey picked up 19 touches in his final game for St Kilda.
Seven goals to one in the second quarter put the Hawks in charge at half time, and they played with swagger in the third quarter, extending their lead beyond 10 goals before six minutes had been played.
Leigh Montagna’s goal at the 12-minute mark was only St Kilda’s second scoring shot since the first quarter, excepting two rushed behinds.
The Saints restored some pride with three quick goals to Riewoldt, but the Hawks were never going to allow a comeback, easing to the win.
The Saints controlled two thirds of Hawthorn’s vaunted forward line in the first half, with Hudghton dealing with Franklin’s aerial threat, and Sam Fisher keeping Roughead quiet, barring a soft free kick on which the big Hawk capitalised.
But Sam Gilbert proved no match for Williams, who was Hawthorn’s biggest forward threat early. He could have had a more flattering return than his 3.3 to half time, missing a snap in the first quarter and a free kick from 25m that should have been Hawthorn’s opening goal.
Shortly before crashing into Hodge, Koschitzke hit the post from 30m, directly in front. It proved St Kilda’s last goal-scoring opportunity until the 15-minute mark of the second term as Hawthorn laid down its premiership credentials.
By the nine-minute mark of the third quarter, the Hawks had 14 goals, midfield supremacy and a commanding 68-point lead, allowing them to coast for much of the final quarter and a half.
The Saints started without tough onballer Luke Ball, who was given every opportunity to return from a serious hamstring injury, failed to prove his fitness and was replaced in the selected side by running midfielder Aaron Fiora.
Re-live the build-up to the big game.
Hawthorn 4.4 11.5 15.8 18.10 (118)
St Kilda 2.3 3.6 7.7 9.10 (64)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Williams 5, Roughead 4, Rioli 2, Young 2, Bateman, Brown, Crawford, Franklin, Osborne
St Kilda: Riewoldt 3, Fisher 2, Fiora, Milne, Montagna, Schneider
BEST
Hawthorn: Lewis, Mitchell, Williams, Sewell, Young, Hodge, Guerra, Birchall
St Kilda: Hudghton, Goddard, Fisher, Clarke, Hayes
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Hodge (ribs).
St Kilda: TBC
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Kennedy, Rosebury, McLaren
Official crowd: 77,002 at MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
