HAWTHORN has played five previous finals interstate – against West Coast at Subiaco in 1991 and 1992; against Sydney at the SCG in 1996; against Port Adelaide at Football Park in 2001 and Fremantle at Subiaco in 2010 – winning two and losing three.
The game against West Coast in 1991 was the first ever final played outside Victoria and the Eagles, who had finished on top with a 19-3 record, were hot favourites against a Hawthorn team that had recovered from a slow start to clinch second with a 16-6 record.
It was the first year of the final six and the qualifying final winner would go into the second semi against the winner of third versus fourth, while the loser would play a first semi against the winner of fifth versus sixth.
It was a showery day and things were not looking good for the Hawks when they conceded the first two goals and then lost Dermott Brereton to injury. However, Hawthorn gradually gained a slight ascendancy leading by 11 points at half time and nine points at the final change.
A telling moment came part way through the third term when for the first time the chant from the small band of Hawks’ fans at the back of the stand went unanswered from the Eagles’ hordes.
The game remained in the balance until late in the final term when the Hawks kicked away to win by 23 points – 18.16.124 to 15.11.101.
The home fans were stunned; many long-term Hawthorn fans regarded it as one of the club’s greatest ever wins.
Stephen Lawrence was clearly best-on-ground, not just dominating the ruck contests with 30 hit-outs, but also amassing a staggering 30 disposals, 14 marks and a crucial long goal.
Several of the midfielders were also highly effective including Darrin Pritchard (27 disposals), Ben Allan (26), Anthony Condon (26), Andrew Gowers (24) and John Platten (23), while Paul Dear was outstanding in filling Brereton’s shoes.
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