Let’s flash back to the 2008 Preliminary Final, with the Hawks up against St Kilda…
After earning the week off, the Hawks found themselves up against St Kilda in a fight for their first Grand Final appearance in 17 years, with the winner set to face reigning premiers Geelong.
Defenders Xavier Ellis and Stephen Gilham had been brought into the side in place of fellow backman Tom Murphy and livewire forward Cameron Stokes, as the Hawks hoped to turn-around the 30 point deficit that separated the sides when the Saints triumphed earlier in the season.
QT: The Hawks didn’t get off to the best start as 50-metre penalties handed the Saints two of the first three goals via small forward Adam Schneider and defender Sam Fisher.
First-year Hawk Cyril Rioli capitalized on a free kick of his own in Hawthorn’s forward 50 while another goal to sharpshooter Mark Williams from a tighht angle saw the Hawks edge ahead.
Jarryd Roughead pushed the Hawks further in front after a ruck infringement awarded him another crucial free kick, and when Clinton Young goaled on the run from long range the Hawks took a 13-point lead and all the momentum into the first change.
Meanwhile Hawks supporters were left with their hearts in their mouths after star Luke Hodge left the field spitting blood after a crunching knock to the ribs in a collision with Saint Justin Kositchke to finish the term.
HT: Hodge remarkably returned to the field to start the quarter, much to the relief of Hawthorn fans, in what for what was an arm wrestle of a second term to begin with.
Williams broke a seven-minute deadlock when he nailed his second for the Hawks from directly in front, while teammate Campbell Brown pushed the advantage to 26 points in what was fast looking like an ominous performance by the Hawks.
Saints wingman Aaron Fiora finally pinned one back for the Saints but from there the Hawks dominance only continued, with Chane Bateman joining the Hawks’ growing list of goalkickers while Williams and Roughead both snapped truly.
The writing was well and truly on the wall for the Saints after veteran Shane Crawford goaled on the run late, right up against the boundary line, as the Hawks took what appeared to be an unassailable 47-point advantage in to half time.
3QT: Well held so far in the piece by Max Hudghton, it took Lance Franklin less than a minute to help the Hawks pick up where they had left off, as he outmaneuvered the Saints’ full back to mark in the goal square.
Their premiership credentials strengthening by the minute, the Hawks showed no sign of taking their foot off the accelerator as Roughead bagged his third, and Rioli his second, pushing the lead to 66 points.
St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna provided his side with some relief, before three consecutive goals to captain Nick Riewoldt made the margin somewhat more respectable, sitting 49 points down at three-quarter time.
FT: After being well spotted with a short kick by Franklin, Williams slotted a fourth goal to kick off the final term, with the contest all but over.
A fifth came Williams’ way after Franklin climbed over defender Sam Gilbert to mark before dishing off the immediate handball to the running goal sneak.
Roughead capped the triumphant win with his fourth major, as the Hawks stormed into the 2008 Grand Final with a 54-point victory.
Hawthorn 4.4 11.5 15.8 18.10 118
St Kilda 2.3 3.6 7.7 9.10 64
