HAWTHORN spearhead Lance Franklin says despite last playing in a grand final in 2008, it has been a long time between drinks.
The Hawks qualified for the 2012 AFL Grand Final with a nail biting five-point win over Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday.
In a match where the Hawks were short-priced favourites to win its way into the last game of the year, the match proved more difficult than many were predicting.
Franklin says he’s just excited to be playing in another grand final.
“Its been a long four years for the footy club,” he said at the Ricoh Centre on Sunday.
“We’re excited that we’ve got ourselves into a position to play in the grand final.
“A lot of hard work has gone into it this year and we’ve played some great football.
“I just can’t wait to get out there, it’s what you play football for.
“The boys are just up and about and can’t wait to get out there.”
The Crows were gallant in defeat, but ultimately fell short after some individual brilliance from Hawthorn stars Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli.
Adelaide forward Graham Johncock gave the Crows the lead with under five minutes remaining in the match, only to see Burgoyne whisk the ball away from the centre clearance to Rioli who took a strong mark.
Franklin says the midfielder has brought great leadership since crossing from the Power at the end of the 2009 season and that leadership was on show in the dying minutes of yesterday’s win.
“Shaun has brought a lot of leadership to the footy club and he’s had a super year this year,” he said.
“That clearance, and then he kicked it down Cyril’s throat, it was unbelievable.
“He’s just been a great stoppage player over his career.”
After falling short of a grand final berth in 2011, and an early finals exit in 2010, the Hawks full forward paid tribute to his young teammates who have had an impact on the Hawks this season.
He believes that their enthusiasm, spirit and ability to keep the senior players on their toes has been a contributing factor to the Club’s ability to make it this far.
“The young guys coming through have added another (dimension) to the list,” he said.
“I think it’s exciting just to have younger guys coming through to push the senior blokes to play better football.
“That’s been the difference this year compared to the previous years.”
Kate Salemme is a member of Hawthorn Football Club's Digital Media team reporting exclusively for hawthornfc.com.au from the Ricoh Centre.
RELATED
No doubt for Burgoyne Hawks confident Hodge will play Birchall's grand relief
