A record crowd packed into the MCG to watch Hawthorn advance to the semi-finals at the expense of the Western Bulldogs, but did the Hawks have an unfair advantage?
The Hawks will travel interstate for a knock-out semi-final against Port Adelaide next week after running the Bulldogs ragged in the 14.15 (99) to 9.8 (62) victory in front of 97,828 fans — a new record for an elimination final.
As the sixth-placed side, the Bulldogs earned the right to host the knockout final, but it was held at the MCG — the ground where they only played once this season.
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Victorian finals are almost exclusively held at the MCG these days with the AFL having a contract with the 100,000-seat venue.
The Channel 7 commentators acknowledge the record crowd made the atmosphere electric, but wondered if it was a fair outcome for the Dogs, who had only played one game at the venue all year, compared to nine for the Hawks.
Former Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge raised the issue after the match.
“They ran into a team on fire … but this also comes into it, the fact they finished sixth and played a team that finished seventh on their home ground,” he said.
“Should they have played this at Marvel Stadium?”
Richmond great Matthew Richardson said they definitely deserved to play at their home ground.
“Gotta start looking at this. If you finish higher, you deserve to play finals where you play your home games,” he said.
“I know there’s a contract here at the MCG but it’s the same with Geelong, the argument they always have. It is probably not fair.”
Hodge highlighted the Dogs played more games at Adelaide Oval (two) this year than at the MCG (one).
“The way Hawthorn play is perfectly suited to this deck,” Richardson added.
Fellow commentator James Brayshaw was quick to point out the massive crowd, which would not have been possible at Marvel Stadium, or any other venue for that matter.
“The AFL takes all proceedings out of finals. 98,000 people here tonight, there is the answer to your question,” he said.
Hodge added: “The spectacle is amazing, but I am thinking of Western Bulldogs supporters, who want to see their team keep playing.”
It was Hawthorn’s first finals victory since completing a famous hat-trick of premierships in the 2015 grand final.
And it was the latest chapter in the so-called Hollywood Hawks’ stunning revival under Sam Mitchell, after a horror 0-5 start to the season.
Calsher Dear, son of 1991 Norm Smith medallist Paul Dear, kicked three goals and Nick Watson finished with four in their first finals appearances.
Skipper James Sicily (23 disposals), Jai Newcombe (35, one goal) and ruckman Lloyd Meek (23) also shone as the Hawks overwhelmed the Bulldogs with 12 goals to five after quarter-time.
Jack Ginnivan, who courted criticism with a trip to a Richmond pub the night before the game, was creative and celebrated kicking the sealer midway through the final term by miming opening and drinking a can of beer.
Massimo D’Ambrosio (32 disposals), Jack Scrimshaw (26), Josh Ward (22) and Karl Amon (22) were all busy.
The Dogs’ biggest names went missing, with captain Marcus Bontempelli managing just 18 disposals in his quietest game of the year.
Fellow All-Australian midfielder Adam Treloar (28 disposals, one goal) was also below his best when it mattered in an engine room that was well beaten, while goalless key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (four touches) had little impact.
– With AAP