This one was all about Jarryd Roughead.
Hawthorn will enter the final round in ninth and as a live chance for finals, but on Sunday night, no one seemed to care.
Instead, all the attention was on the Hawks champion as his side delivered a 70-point victory over a dismal Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium.
This was supposed to be the 32-year-old's farewell appearance, but a six-goal haul will make a fair case for him to retain his spot, even if Mitch Lewis overcomes a shoulder issue.
If Hawthorn is victorious and other results go its way, Roughead could appear in finals one last time.
Despite what was on the line, the 18.10 (118) to 7.6 (48) result didn't seem relevant for the night, which is indicative of what the former captain has meant to the brown and gold.
The faithful showed their appreciation at every opportunity, roaring with delight when he came out of the race for the warm-up, when he headed to the goalsquare for the opening bounce, and at the two-minute mark of the second quarter for the big No.2.
His first goal came early, after Chad Wingard burst out of the middle and hit the 2013 Coleman medallist. Every Hawk on the field ran to him in delight, and then Roughead went straight to the bench, where he received more appreciation from those who hadn't been able to congratulate him.
Then there was one as the opening term came to a close, roving a pack brilliantly and putting it through from the goal-line.
He converted a couple of set shots in the third term, one after nudging Caleb Graham out of a marking contest and another after receiving a downfield free against Charlie Ballard.
In the final quarter, Paul Puopolo found him among three Suns, and the former captain did the rest.
Jaeger O'Meara found him midway through that last term, and it looked like he had squeezed his sixth through, but the kick faded to just miss.
With just over a couple of minutes left, he flew again, clunking the football but hooking his shot, not making the distance.
He made up for it moments later, with a classy snap that was lapped up by an adoring crowd.
There was more than the goals. There was a little hug for veteran Sun Michael Rischitelli after he surprised everyone with a major from long-range.
Late in the opening half, Isaac Smith sought to find the man of the moment with a chip. He would've nailed him too, if Jack Gunston hadn't intercepted it.
Gunston didn't realise his 'crime' until he looked back, and even he was disappointed with himself.
He wasn't the only one to play the villain. At one stage, Roughead was dashing towards goal and was about to let loose from the 50m arc when he was chased down by a determined Lachie Weller.
By the time the final siren sounded though, no one minded. The fans had their chance to appreciate a man who has been brilliant for the club, and several of his mates were there to support him as well.
That the Hawks are still a live chance for the top eight, that they hit triple figures for the first time since round 20 last year, that the Suns were deplorable, none of it seemed to matter.
Because, for one evening, it was all about Roughead.
MEDICAL ROOM
Hawthorn: The Hawks appeared to emerge unscathed.
Gold Coast: Sam Day didn't finish the game.
NEXT UP
Facing reigning premier West Coast at Optus Stadium might be the most intimidating challenge in football and that's the task that confronts Hawthorn next Saturday night, and an unlikely victory would move the Hawks into the top eight ahead of Sunday, when fellow contenders Adelaide, Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs play. Gold Coast's miserable season closes in the same timeslot, at Metricon Stadium against Greater Western Sydney.
HAWTHORN 6.2 10.7 13.7 18.10 (118)
GOLD COAST 1.2 2.5 5.6 7.6 (48)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Roughead 6, Scully 2, Worpel 2, Wingard 2, O'Brien 2, Smith, Shiels, Hanrahan, Nash
Gold Coast: Rischitelli, Weller, Murdoch, Horlin-Smith, King, MacPherson, Ainsworth
BEST
Hawthorn: Worpel, Smith, Roughead, Hardwick, Wingard, Scully
Gold Coast: Hanley, Swallow, Fiorini, Harbrow, Miller
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Gold Coast: Day (TBC)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Hay, Gianfagna, Mitchell
Official crowd: 31,331 at Marvel Stadium
