September 2017 was a difficult time for Hawks fans.

For the first time in seven years, the brown and gold did not feature in the finals series.

It was a tough blow for those who had become accustom to winning, and winning premierships at that.

To keep you interested in the 2017 finals series, we gave you The Guide To Who Any Self Respecting Hawthorn Fan Should Support This September, with some pros and cons about each of the premiership aspirants.

The general consensus from readers was that they’d love to watch the Tigers finally experience premiership success (a choice many would come to regret).

Luckily for Hawthorn fans, however, we didn’t need to wait too long for our team to return to the fold. 

An incredible ascent up the AFL ladder saw the Hawks move from 12^th in 2017, to top four in 2018.

But a 14^th premiership wasn’t too be, as the Hawks bowed out with consecutive losses against the Tigers and Demons.

So, with just two teams left to contest the 2018 AFL premiership, which is the lesser of two evils for fans of the brown and gold to throw their support behind?

Let’s weigh up the pros and cons…
 

West Coast Eagles

As we mentioned last year, Senior Coach Adam Simpson is one of the many graduates from Clarko’s academy of coaching. He was an assistant with the Hawks between 2010 and 2013, and made an integral contribution when we won our 11^th flag. 

If the Eagles win, it will mark seven consecutive years that either Clarko, or coach who learned under Clarko, has won the Jock McHale Medal.

Reason enough to support the Eagles, right?

And of course, West Coast has a member of footy’s royal family: Willie Rioli.

Watching the youngster dodge and dance out of traffic to slot a freakish goal and ignite the crowd will likely have Hawks fans reminiscing on happier times…

And we’ve got to say, the thought of Bruce yelling ‘Rioooooliiiii’ down the microphone on a crisp September afternoon still causes involuntary goose bumps.

Read: Hawks make three list changes

Collingwood Magpies

You either love them or you hate them, right? 

While it’s hard to see many non-Pies fans standing side by side in solidarity with the black and white army this weekend, there may be a couple of reasons why you should.

In the last 60 years, the Magpies have won three premierships (cute!). After each of these black and white flags, the Hawks have become premiers within the next three years.

Pies win in 1958, Hawks win in 1961. Pies win in 1990, Hawks win in 1991. Pies win in 2010, Hawks win in 2013. If the Pies win on Saturday, the 2019-2021 window may be looking a touch brighter for the superstitious among us. 

For you Victorians, there’s also the argument that Collingwood are the only remaining Victorian team.

For you Western Australians, do you really want West Coast to be reigning premiers for the next 12 months?

There you have it. A few (albeit weak) reasons it is okay to support either of this year’s Grand Final teams for one day only.

Who’s your tip?