Here's what you might have missed from over the weekend...
Hawks’ thrilling finish
It took some Jack Fitzpatrick magic and some Paul Puopolo smarts to get the Hawks over the line against the Pies, but they did enough to take home the win.
It was yet another heart-stopping match for Hawks fans to sit through, who have had to endure a few in 2016.
Watch: The tense last two minutes against Collingwood.
What next?
The Hawks will now take on arch rivals Geelong in the first week of the 2016 AFL Finals series at the MCG on Friday the 9th of September.
The Cats had the better of the Hawks in the opening round of the season, but a lot of water has travelled under the bridge in the time since – it promises to be another classic encounter between two of the great modern heavyweights of the competition.
Reinforcements arriving
The Hawks will get at least two players back for their qualifying final, with Ben Stratton (pectoral) and Ben McEvoy (back soreness) both all but certain to return.
Stratton in particular has been a big loss for the Hawks down back over the last three weeks and they will be delighted to have him and his flexibility back – as well as McEvoy’s ability to play in the ruck or forward.
Box Hill overcome by Casey
Box Hill couldn’t quite finish off their season with a win, being overrun by first-placed Casey at Box Hill City Oval.
The Hawks were downed by 30 points in their final game of 2016, but there were plenty of Hawthorn-listed players who played well.
Langford and co. pushing for selection
Will Langford and Daniel Howe headlined a number of senior-listed Hawks to push their case for selection in the VFL on Satuday – Langford booted three goals while Howe was also among the Hawks’ best.
Matt Spangher (two goals), Blake Hardwick (two goals) and Kade Stewart (one goal) all hit the scoreboard as all of Box Hill’s goals were kicked by Hawthorn players.
Another hanger from Cyril
It’s been a good year for Hawthorn’s spring heeled forwards, and Sunday was no exception.
Cyril Rioli added another screamer to his growing collection of high-flying highlights this season, a nice addition to the three goals he booted against the Pies.
Cyril just continues to collect those frequent flyer points #AFLHawksPies #HawthornAlways
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) August 28, 2016
https://t.co/p4go8pWuPG
What is the Hawks’ best team?
After Sunday’s win, Alastair Clarkson and his coaching group are probably no closer to knowing what Hawthorn’s best team looks like.
Jack Fitzpatrick showed some real promise against the Pies, splitting his time between the ruck and playing forward and Ryan Burton showed some poise under pressure in defence, meaning the Hawks have some flexibility within their 22.
Watch: Clarkson's post-match press conference.
Stay tuned for our finals campaign…
We know Hawthorn fans are #HawthornAlways, but we have something a bit different for the brown and gold army to get behind in September.
Stay tuned to the website and the club’s social media sites for our finals campaign!