First-time winners stand tall
‘Play Your Role’ has been the Hawks’ motto this finals series, and both James Frawley and Ryan Schoenmakers did exactly that in their team’s premiership triumph.
First-year Hawk Frawley was playing in his first grand final, while Ryan Schoenmakers was there for the second time, after playing in the club’s 2012 grand final defeat.
Both stood tall on the big stage.
As expected, Frawley went to Coleman Medallist Josh Kennedy, nullifying his influence on the contest.
Kennedy went goalless for the first time this season, and had just nine disposals for the day, in stark contrast to Frawley’s 22-disposal, 11-mark effort.
Up forward, Schoenmakers presented all day – clunking nine marks to go with 21 disposals.
The 24-year-old kicked one goal and had a hand in a couple of others, looking completely at home in the biggest game of the year.
Taking early chances pivotal
Converting opportunities in front of goal was always going to crucial.
The Hawks did exactly that in the first term, setting the tone for the day. At quarter-time, the Hawks led 5.0 to the Eagles’ 1.5 – at half-time the ledger stood at 9.3 to 3.8.
After Luke Shuey kicked the opener for the Eagles, the Hawks responded with the next nine goals.
Cyril Rioli and Ben McEvoy made the most of set shots, Grant Birchall wheeled onto his trusty left boot and Bradley Hill made no mistake from point blank range.
Luke Hodge followed up with a miraculous checkside goal from the left forward pocket, before Jack Gunston snapped truly twice.
Isaac Smith’s long bomb from outside 50 capped off a dream first-half run for the Hawks, taking the game almost out of the Eagles’ reach.
Ruckmen play important roles
There was plenty of talk pre-game about how important West Coast Eagles star Nic Naitanui’s influence on the game would be.
At the first bounce, he grabbed the ball out of the centre and bombed it long inside the Eagles’ forward 50. It loomed as a danger sign.
But by the final siren, Naitanui’s influence on the contest had been well and truly nullified.
Hawthorn’s Ben McEvoy and David Hale were far from dominant in the ruck – the Eagles still won the hit-outs 49-32 – but played crucial roles in their team’s win.
McEvoy and Hale not only curbed Naitanui and ruck partner Callum Sinclair (who had just eight disposals between them), but combined for 15 disposals, five clearances and eight tackles.
Both had an impact around the ground, while Hale also played an important role up forward, regularly creating a contest.
When Hale – now a triple-premiership player – was subbed out late in the third-quarter for Matt Suckling, the Hawks held an imposing eight-goal advantage.
Mission accomplished.
Hawks able to control the ball
When West Coast defeated Hawthorn in the qualifying final, it was their ability to restrict the Hawks and impact their disposal efficiency and control of the ball that was noticeable.
The Hawks clearly learned a few lessons.
In the grand final, they won the disposals count 436-321 and went inside-50 on 19 more occasions.
But the most imposing stat was the marks – the Hawks kicked the ball 270 times throughout the match, but had a whopping 148 marks. The Eagles only had 58.
Four Hawks collected 10 or more marks – Jack Gunston (10), James Frawley (11), Brian Lake (11) and Cyril Rioli (12) – while 13 other players had five or more marks.
In comparison, only three Eagles collected five or more marks, with Josh Kennedy claiming six.
Pivotal to the Hawks’ success not just this year but in past years has been their ability skilful disposal and ability to control possession.
It came to the fore again on the big stage in 2015.
Just how good is Cyril Rioli?
Plenty of Hawks shone on Saturday.
Sam Mitchell did what Sam Mitchell does. So did Luke Hodge. Josh Gibson. Isaac Smith. The list of names is endless - it was a magnificent team performance.
But one star shone brightest – that of Cyril Rioli, the 2015 Norm Smith Medal winner.
Rioli claimed 13 of a possible 15 votes to be named best on ground in the Hawks’ grand final victory, capping an outstanding season where he was named in the All Australian team and will undoubtedly be in contention for the Peter Crimmins Medal.
The 26-year-old was again at his brilliant best against the Eagles, kicking two goals from 18 disposals.
He had 12 marks – five of which were inside 50 – and set up four goals for teammates. His ability to create scoring opportunities was second to none.
While there were plenty of special Cyril moments, perhaps the best was a handball intercept on the wing, which led to a shot on goal for Jack Gunston.
Now a four-time premiership player, two-time All Australian and Norm Smith Medallist, Rioli’s career is decorated with success – both from a team and individual perspective.
Here’s hoping there’s more success on its way.
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