You couldn’t have written a better ending for the final game of Hawks legend, Meg Hutchins. The VFLW Hawks defeated Port Melbourne on Sunday by nine points, an unprecedented result considering Port Melbourne’s strong performance throughout the 2021 season.

It was a testament to her enduring popularity around the club that Hawthorn fans showed up in droves to celebrate Meg’s final game.

The first quarter of the game seemed to be working in Port’s favour. The opposition managed three goals to Hawthorn’s one, and the Hawks didn’t seem able to wrestle control of the ball away from Port Melbourne. It wasn’t until a late goal from Tam Luke that Hawthorn managed to get a score on the board.

However, the Hawthorn girls knew just how important this game was and the seriousness of their mission was communicated at the quarter time break.

Port Melbourne once again came bounding out of the gates in the second quarter, scoring four consecutive behinds. Despite their dominance in their own forward 50, it was a lack of accuracy that hampered their ability to get away from the Hawks.

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The opposition finally managed a goal, which was quickly responded to by Jessie Williams with the first goal for the Hawks that term. Williams, not having played for several weeks with injury, was a standout on ground and played on despite injured quads.

Izzy Khoury gallantly tried for goal but just nicked the post. It signalled a shift in energy that saw the Hawks take control in the dying minutes of the half.

At the siren, the Hawks trailed by fifteen points – not a huge margin but significant enough to mean the girls would have to work harder than ever in the second half. Coach Bec Goddard felt confident in the half time break, reminding the girls once again of the importance of the match and the urgency to win.

The third term felt like a fresh team, with the forwards in particular surging ahead. Eloise Chaston made several gallant attempts at goal but was unrewarded.

Dom Carbone kicked a stunning goal, quickly followed by Jessie Williams. Williams sprinted through the midfield and booted another for the Hawks. Izzy Khoury made it a hat-trick for the Hawks with a goal of her own, bringing them only one point behind Port Melbourne.

Finally, Sarah Perkins kicked a major for the Hawks, bringing the brown and gold into the lead for the first time all game.

At three-quarter time, the Hawks were leading by three points, and tension was high. The last twenty minutes was set to be a nail-biter.

Luckily, one pivotal goal from the Hawks was enough to put the girls into an unbeatable lead. Of course, that goal came off the boot of legendary Meg Hutchins, and the crowd went wild. 

Steph Carroll, Meg’s wife, and a trainer with the Hawks, sprinted on ground to congratulate Meg in what was one of the most emotional moments of the match.

Port Melbourne couldn’t recover their form in the final term, only scoring two behinds. A late goal from Jessie Williams clinched the game, and the day was won.

There were massive outpourings of emotion post-match, as Port Melbourne presented Meg with a bouquet and thanked her for the impact she has made for women’s football in Victoria over her long and decorated career.

The renowned player was then chaired off by long-time teammates Tam Luke and Sarah Perkins before she got to sing that famous song one last time.

Hawthorn 8.4.52

Port Melbourne 5.8.43

Goals: Williams 3, Carbone, Luke, Perkins, Khoury, Hutchins

Best: Hutchins, Sherar, Khoury, Williams, Richardson, Luke