NSW/ACT Notebook: Grand Final wrap

By Michael DiFabrizio

Hawthorn 11.11 (77) def. Fremantle 8.14 (62)

Hawthorn won its 11th premiership on Saturday after defeating Fremantle by 15 points.

The Hawks got off to the stronger start, dealing with the pressure of the big stage with more ease than their debut Grand Finalist opposition.

The Dockers managed just one goal to half time, trailing the Hawks by 23 points, but it could have been very different if not for some woeful inaccuracy, particularly in front of goal. Nerves and the windy conditions presumably got to them.

The Hawks, meanwhile, were potent up forward. 21 year-old Jack Gunston was on fire, kicking three of his four goals in the first half.

In the third term Freo came out more composed and began to hit the scoreboard. The Hawks’ lead had been reduced to as little as three points.

But Hawthorn did everything they could to hold the Dockers off.

Brian Lake won the Norm Smith Medal on the back of his marking in defence. Jordan Lewis was instrumental in the midfield with 26 disposals, most of which were in the second half.　

The Hawks built on their 10-point three quarter time lead early in the fourth with uplifting goals from Isaac Smith and Luke Breust.

The Dockers managed one last rally but it wasn’t enough. Hawthorn were premiers.

Lake and Gunston were considered to be the Hawks’ best, closely followed by Lewis and Grant Birchall (26 disposals, 11 marks). Luke Hodge picked up two votes in the Norm Smith voting also.

For the Dockers, David Mundy and Nat Fyfe (28 disposals each) were the most prominent midfielders on the ground, although Fyfe’s kicking for goal let him down.

Ryan Crowley restricted Sam Mitchell to his worst performance of 2013 (12 disposals) and Aaron Sandilands had 44 hitouts.

NSW/ACT Notes

Isaac Smith (Temora) and Luke Breust (Temora) are premiership players for the first time. They were also perhaps the stars of the decisive fourth quarter.

Smith had 18 disposals, six marks, three rebound 50s and two score assists. One of the match’s biggest highlights was his massive goal from beyond 50m to give the Hawks the first goal of the final term.

Breust had 13 disposals at 85 per cent efficiency and had four marks, six tackles, three inside 50s and two score assists. He followed up Smith’s goal with another huge goal that may just have put the match beyond doubt.

Taylor Duryea (Wahgunyah) will go into the history books as an emergency for a premiership-winning side.