Hawthorn dominated proceedings for three quarters. Collingwood's superior fitness allowed it to kick away with 5 goals in the last quarter.
The game followed the familiar pattern of the Hawks v Swans semi-final. Hawthorn swarming the defence & removing the Pies ability to score. Particularly through long high balls pumped into the forward 50. To three quarter time, the Pies had managed only 5 goals, 6 points.
The first quarter was extremely tight. Separated by only 1 point at the siren. Brent Guerra had the umpire screaming from a metre or two behind him after a Collingwood mark. Telling him to move back. The crowd noise was so high, that he didnt hear it. A Collingwood 50 metre penalty was the result.
By half-time the margin was an incredibly close 8 points. Tarrant was solid throughout the night. Keeping Buddy Franklin firmly in check. Buddy's only opportunities came from rare sprinting opportunities or from broken play.
At three quarter time, the game looked in Hawthorn's grasp. 17 points up. Didak was duly subbed on for the underperforming Dayne Beams. Collingwood's renowned fitness became the deciding factor.
The Pies entirely dominated the final quarter. Dawes after being erratic early in the game, shone. Cloke remained the imposing target he had been throughout the match.
Hawthorn's curious selection of Suckling as their sub came back to bite them. The week before, against the Swans - it was justified. Stratton was still under an injury cloud. Suckling was insurance. Against the Pies, it became a tactical error. There were no fresh legs to bring on. Chance Bateman, who may have played his last game in brown & gold, looked shot. He was unable to kick past Collingwood's half back line, which was starting to resemble a brick wall. The skill level of many Hawks dropped away under fatigue and the increased pressure from Collingwood.
Thoughts were drifiting to the last game of Malthouse or Kennett. By game's end, Mick Malthouse was in tears. The chance remains for a fairytale ending to his Collingwood coaching career.
Full-time scores:
COLLINGWOOD 2.3 3.5 5.6 10.8 (68)
HAWTHORN 2.4 4.7 7.11 9.11 (65)
Goals: Collingwood: C Dawes 3, T Cloke 3, D Jolly, D Swan, L Ball, L Davis.
Hawthorn: L Franklin 3, B Guerra, C Rioli, J Lewis, L Hodge, P Puopolo, S Mitchell.
Injuries: Collingwood: B Reid (groin) D Jolly (thigh). Hawthorn: Nil.
Reports: Nil.
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