Hawthorn 3.4 6.6 12.7 16.10 (106)
Gold Coast 5.1 8.5 10.9 14.13 (97)
Goals: Hawthorn - Breust 5, Whitecross 3, Smith 3, Osborne 2, Lisle, Puopolo, Johnson
Gold Coast - Matera 3, Caddy 2, Bennell 2, Fraser 2, Stanley, Bock, Smith, Brennan, Gillbee
Best: Hawthorn - Breust, Mitchell, Whitecross, Smith, Puopolo
Gold Coast - Ablett, Matera, Bennell, Thompson, Smith, Caddy, Prestia
Crowd: 19,314 at Metricon Stadium
It was an understrength Hawthorn that travelled to Metricon Stadium on the eve of the 2011 finals series in Round 24 last season.
Despite leaving several of its stars in Melbourne to freshen up ahead of the Club’s finals campaign, the Hawks managed a nine-point win over AFL newcomer’s, Gold Coast.
The Hawks were without Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli and Luke Hodge, while Shaun Burgoyne, Brad Sewell and Grant Birchall were also among the senior Hawks who didn’t make the trip.
The Suns squandered the chance of a late-season upset as the Hawks, led by small forward Luke Breust capitalised on a tiring Suns outfit in the second half.
The Hawks booted 10 second half goals after a spray from Coach Alastair Clarkson at half time inspired the Hawks, as they overran the competition’s newest side.
Led by Breust who booted five goals, the Hawks reeled in an 11-point half time deficit through the brilliance of on-baller Sam Mitchell who was again amongst Hawthorn’s best.
Mitchell gathered 26 disposals, had five tackles, five clearances and five inside 50s in a dominant display in the midfield.
Breust sparked the Hawks in the second half, with a stunning 13-minute display that netted him four of his five goals for the day. His total of four in the third term was amongst six Hawthorn majors as the Hawks took a 10-point lead into the final term.
Mitchell and Breust were joined by Brendan Whitecross as three of the Hawks’ best, as the small forward booted two goals in the final term to give the Hawks the lead.
The Suns were able to build a lead and remain competitive for the duration of the match due to their attack and ability to win the ball in the middle. The Suns won the clearance count convincingly, 45-33, a stat that surely didn’t please Clarkson on the eve of the finals.
Superstar Gary Ablett led the Suns from the front with another stunning display for his new side. He was arguably best afield with a stunning 43 possessions, six tackles and game-high 13 clearances.
Brandon Matera was also good for the Suns up forward booting three goals, while young guns Josh Caddy and Harley Bennell showed glimpses of what to expect from them in the future.
A nine-point win was recorded by the Hawks despite losing some of the key performance indicators including inside 50s (40-59) and contested possessions (147-103).
It was Gold Coast’s inefficiency going forward that arguably cost them an upset win over a side that went on to play off for a spot in the 2011 grand final.
What the coaches said:
Hawthorn’s Alastair Clarkson: “We allowed Gold Coast far too much control of the ball at the stoppages and far too many inside 50s.
“Gold Coast, if they were a little bit more experienced and a little bit more polished, they would have put us to the sword a few times with the amount of inside 50 entries they had.
“We got the job done in the end, it was hardly impressive, but in terms of our preparation for the qualifying final against Geelong, that was our clear goal.”
Gold Coast’s Guy McKenna: “In essence it was our best four quarter performance.
“I think we've shown enough to know that some of these boys have grown into men and they'll be able to play a full season like the senior players and that's the exciting thing going forward, but I can't fault their effort for the whole season.
"Today in round 24 to put in that effort you can't help but be proud.”
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