Final thoughts
Rarely do results come with such double-edged significance. For the young victors, an emphatic coming out party. For the vanquished veterans, the end of one of the great runs in the game’s history.
Hawthorn stole an early march but from midway through the second quarter they were trudging through quicksand while the Bulldogs were floating on air. The intensity of the young Dogs at the contest and pressure without the ball was too much for the Hawks to handle.
Marcus Bontempelli was outstanding throughout. Tireless as the maypole around whom everything revolved. He played tall when he needed to, was clean in possession and threw his weight around like a veteran enforcer. He took on Luke Hodge head to head tonight and won handsomely.
He wasn’t the only Dog to lower his opponent’s colours. Macrae finished with 39 disposals, Smith 10 tackles and two crucial goals, Dunkley, Picken and Daniel were all excellent too.
A preliminary final in Western Sydney awaits. The latest underdog battle for a club that has defied the odds throughout an incredible year.
For the Hawks, reflection, scrutiny, and hopefully celebration at the phenomenal achievements of this group of players. This may be the end of the road for this group, but if it is, their contribution to the game should not go unrewarded.
Updated
Bulldogs win by 23
FT: @westernbulldogs 16.11 (107) defeat @HawthornFC 12.12 (84). The Dogs are into a prelim! #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/Mfo9gaT7BC
— AFL (@AFL) September 16, 2016
Bulldogs goal! 4th quarter (0:00 remaining) Hawthorn 12.12 (84) vs Western Bulldogs 16.11 (107)
What a way to finish! Caleb Daniel lays the tackle in the forward pocket to earn the free-kick. A 50m sanction walks him to an unmissable position and the cake is iced.
Hawks goal! 4th quarter (1:00 remaining) Hawthorn 12.12 (84) vs Western Bulldogs 15.11 (101)
Hodge with a heck of a swing of his left boot carries one fully 55m. Rage rage against the dying of the light.
That 87,823 crowd, by the way, is the biggest that has ever seen a Bulldogs win.
4th quarter (2:00 remaining) Hawthorn 11.12 (78) vs Western Bulldogs 15.11 (101)
The Bulldogs have taken the sting out of the game again after that Hawthorn three goal burst.
4th quarter (3:30 remaining) Hawthorn 11.12 (78) vs Western Bulldogs 15.11 (101)
The Hawks aren’t going down without a crack, throwing everything at the Dogs, but Roughead takes a good intercept mark on his goal line to stem the momentum.
Hawks goal! 4th quarter (5:30 remaining) Hawthorn 11.11 (77) vs Western Bulldogs 15.11 (101)
Hmmmm, is this a comeback? Burgoyne slots one from 50m to bring the margin to four goals. They can’t, can they?
Hawks goal! 4th quarter (6:10 remaining) Hawthorn 10.11 (71) vs Western Bulldogs 15.11 (101)
Macrae now has 37 disposals - 14 more than anyone else on the ground!
Good attack from Hawthorn ends with Fitzpatrick marking unopposed in the goalsquare.
4th quarter (8:10 remaining) Hawthorn 9.11 (65) vs Western Bulldogs 15.11 (101)
Jordan Lewis may have done his hammy, while Caleb Daniel is nursing his shoulder. On-field, Puopolo misses a set shot for a point.
87,823 the final crowd number.
— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) September 16, 2016
WOW. #bemorebulldog
4th quarter (9:30 remaining) Hawthorn 9.10 (64) vsWestern Bulldogs 15.11 (101)
Apologies, a few technical issues disrupting things here. You’ve not missed anything that will impact the result though. The Bulldogs have this sewn up.
The questions now are all about the future. Can the Dogs continue their form at Spotless Stadium against the Giants? What does this mean for Hawthorn, their senior players, and their aggressive offseason trading?
Hawks goal! 4th quarter (11:00 remaining) Hawthorn 9.10 (64) vsWestern Bulldogs 15.11 (101)
Consolation for Hawthorn courtesy of Liam Shiels.
Bulldogs goal! 4th quarter (12:00 remaining) Hawthorn 8.10 (58) vs Western Bulldogs 15.9 (101)
This is late-era Ali ugly now for Hawthorn. Picken with his third.
Bulldogs goal! 4th quarter (15:00 remaining) Hawthorn 8.10 (58) vs Western Bulldogs 14.9 (95)
Breust hits the post from 45m out but even if his shot had gone through you sense the task is already too great for his side.
As if to prove the point, from the resulting restart, the Dogs pick their way forward, Boyd takes a powerful mark, and Hunter finds Picken out the back for yet another goal.
Bulldogs goal! 4th quarter (19:20 remaining) Hawthorn 8.9 (57) vs Western Bulldogs 13.9 (89)
Bang! Hawthorn start the half trying to run the ball out of defence and Bontempelli picks off Hodge like a baton changing hands from the old to the new. The young star picks out Dixon in space and he finally kicks straight to surely put the game beyond the triple-premiers.
Ian emails in with an interesting thought: “Game over. Hawks won’t get back from here. Disappointing to hear the crowd boo the Hawks. There may be something here about the nation’s “tall poppy syndrome” and sporting success. The next team which stares four in a row in the face should anticipate the same treatment.”
Some stats:
Bulldogs: disposals +74, clearances +14, inside 50s + 15, contested possessions +47
Hawthorn: tackles +40
Disposals: Macrae 29, Dahlhaus 22, Dunkley 21
Tackles: Shiels 11
What have Hawthorn’s champions got left?
Three-quarter time - Bulldogs by 26
What a quarter by the Bulldogs! That will be talked about for decades to come as the moment a young team came of age, and an old one faced mortality.
Updated
3rd quarter (1:20 remaining) Hawthorn 8.9 (57) vs Western Bulldogs 12.9 (83)
Stringer’s found his mojo, snapping goals, leaping for contested marks. Bontempelli is the maestro though, he has no match-up at his size, and he’s controlling the tempo with his third-man up disruption and clean hands. And he bags the goal he deserves. Hawthorn can’t escape from their defensive 50 - again - and the ball returns with interest for their young leader to feed on the scraps and kick his team well clear.
9 of the last 10 to the Dogs now.
Bulldogs goal! 3rd quarter (3:20 remaining) Hawthorn 8.9 (57) vs Western Bulldogs 11.9 (77)
Another one! Stringer!
A freight train has hit Hawthorn and the champions look stunned. They can’t win a clearance, they can’t clear their lines, and in close the Bulldogs are too sharp.
Bulldogs goal! 3rd quarter (4:00 remaining) Hawthorn 8.9 (57) vs Western Bulldogs 10.9 (71)
Hawthorn finally gain some territory but release the pressure with a high tackle. The Bulldogs are now chipping it around their halfback line in possession, taking the sting out of the game, preserving their lead. An entry inside 50 is intercepted by McEvoy but Hawthorn’s attempt to retain possession ends with Stringer nailing Duryea. From that stoppage Burgoyne is pinged for a free kick on McLean and the youngster wallops a beauty from 50m on an angle to send the crowd into delirium.
What a comeback!
Hawks need huge lift from its mids right about now.
— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherSEN) September 16, 2016
3rd quarter (6:00 remaining) Hawthorn 8.9 (57) vs Western Bulldogs 9.9 (65)
Hawthorn are getting frustrated and the Bulldogs are winding them up at every opportunity. Since the midpoint of the second quarter this has been a different game. The Hawks need a circuit breaker.
Fearsome pressure from the Dogs, penning the ball in attacking territory. Their intensity at ground level is terrifying. Hawthorn think they’re free twice but on both occasions Dogs win one-on-ones to return the ball into danger, and return with interest! Roughead again with a powerful contested mark, timing his jump at the drop zone to perfection. And he kicks this one truly to send his team a goal clear!
Six of the last seven goals to the Dogs.
3rd quarter (9:00 remaining) Hawthorn 8.9 (57) vs Western Bulldogs 8.9 (59)
Hawthorn now fumbling the hot ball and the Dogs are hunting in packs. After leading for 70 minutes of this match the Hawks are chasing, and they’re chasing Johannisen who sprints down the right boundary and hits Roughead on the lead. From the arc, the big man kicks a point.
Bulldogs goal! 3rd quarter (11:00 remaining) Hawthorn 8.9 (57) vs Western Bulldogs 8.8 (58)
Downfield free-kick to Hunter finally releases the pressure on the Bulldogs’ defence. And then some! The passage of play started by Hunter works its way down the left flank until Clay Smith hits the top of the square and finds Stringer wide open. He can’t miss from 10m out, and the Bulldogs lead!
3rd quarter (11:30 remaining) Hawthorn 8.9 (57) vs Western Bulldogs 7.8 (52)
Another behind for Hawthorn; Smith from distance as the Dogs struggle to clear their lines.
The Bulldogs do eventually clear but only into dispute and a series of one-on-ones favour Hawthorn. Hill shows his speed and sets up a dangerous opportunity that earns Shiels a free-kick 50m out in front, but he misses. Shiels’ pressure is awesome, his kicking for goal less so.
3rd quarter (13:30 remaining) Hawthorn 8.7 (55) vs Western Bulldogs 7.8 (52)
Hawthorn have been given few opportunities to pick their way through the Bulldogs but a superb intercept mark from Hodge sets them up. A classic Hawks move, like a chess grand master, works the ball into a scoring position and Gunston wheels away in celebration, but there’s a review - and it’s a behind! It looked inconclusive on TV, but the Bulldogs benefit.
Bulldogs goal! 3rd quarter (14:30 remaining) Hawthorn 8.6 (54) vs Western Bulldogs 7.8 (52)
Smith shoves Picken under a high ball, free-kick Bulldogs from 20 metres out, on a slight angle - goal!
Hawks goal! 3rd quarter (16:10 remaining) Hawthorn 8.6 (54) vs Western Bulldogs 6.8 (46)
The ball spending a lot of time in Hawthorn defensive territory. The Bulldogs just always seem to have an extra man at the contest, denying any clearance.
Until there is... and what a clearance it is! End to end for Hawthorn, McEvoy busting the line, he finds Schoenmakers in acres and he pops it over the top for the isolated Breust to nail the goal.
3rd quarter (18:30 remaining) Hawthorn 7.6 (48) vs Western Bulldogs 6.8 (46)
Brilliant start to the half by Hawthorn. Smith burst clear of the contest, found Rioli and he hit up Sicily, who drags his set shot from 40m out. Rioli’s involvement in that chain was so fluid, such a graceful sight in full flow.
This is another beautifully poised final. We’ve already been spoiled and we’re only at the start of the second weekend.
The Bulldogs have to be more clinical in front of goal to reward their performance around the ground. Hawthorn have to start finding their key ball players more often. Mitchell and Hodge have just 22 disposals between them.
The preposterously overrated and turgid Sting has just read out a risible recorded statement on TV implying he can’t wait to perform at the grand final. I can’t stand Sting, or The Police. Which reminded me to point you in the direction of Russell Jackson’s column from earlier in the week.
Quick question - are any non Hawthorn supporters barracking for the Hawks tonight, or are all neutrals in the Dogs’ corner? The G certainly sounds as if it’s weighted against the premiers.
Some half time stats:
Hawthorn: tackles +22
Bulldogs: disposals +15, clearances +8, inside 50s +11, contested possessions +29
Disposals: Dunkley 15, Macrae 14, Shiels 13, Picken 13, Liberatore 13
It’s not been Tory Dickson’s finest half of football...
Dogs would be better off with Tory Spelling kicking for goal tonight.#AFLHawksDogs pic.twitter.com/whi6AoUMjH
— Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) September 16, 2016
Half time - Hawks by 1
A huge melee forms as Dickson’s shot misses, with half-time delayed by a number of seconds as a scrum of jostling, jumper scragging bodies converge near the centre square. Tom Boyd’s in the centre of it all, which I don’t mind at all. Carey suggests he should throw his weight around because he can afford any fine heading his way. Cometti, gee how we’re going to miss him, chips in that he’s just as well hitting a Hawk with his wallet. A lovely zinger to end an increasingly interesting and combative half.
2nd quarter (0:00 remaining) Hawthorn 7.5 (47) vs Western Bulldogs 6.10 (46)
The pressure from the Bulldogs is relentless! 11 of the last 12 inside 50s! Daniel with the latest, and he finds Tory Dickson 45m out straight in front. Dickson has been wobbly in front of goal, and the siren sounds as he runs in... and he’s 0.3 as another shot drifts past the upright.
2nd quarter (1:30 remaining) Hawthorn 7.5 (47) vs Western Bulldogs 6.9 (45)
Bontempelli described as Koutoufides-like by Wayne Carey as he smashes another clearance for his side. This one finds Boyd but his 50m set shot floats behind.
Bulldogs goal! 2nd quarter (2:30 remaining) Hawthorn 7.5 (47) vs Western Bulldogs 6.8 (44)
Another centre clearance to the Dogs has them inside 50 again. Ferocious pressure keeps the ball there for a minute until hunter centres one for SMITH! Another goal for the young Bulldog! Plucked out of the sky and nailed truly to bring the margin within a goal. What a resilient bunch.
Bulldogs goal! 2nd quarter (4:00 remaining) Hawthorn 7.5 (47) vs Western Bulldogs 5.8 (38)
The Dogs have lifted, and so has the crowd! A courageous mark from Picken, then a terrific tackle from Johannisen leads to Hunter feeding Smith for a set shot - and he goals! Beautiful left foot draw from 40 metres out in the left forward pocket. They’re clawing their way back into this the Dogs, despite some wayward kicking.
Bulldogs goal! 2nd quarter (5:40 remaining) Hawthorn 7.5 (47) vs Western Bulldogs 4.8 (32)
Dunkley does finally get the goal! Escaping out the back and found brilliantly by Liberatore.
2nd quarter (7:10 remaining) Hawthorn 7.5 (47) vs Western Bulldogs 3.8 (26)
Scrappy phase of the game with points at both ends and both should have been goals. Breust misses a sitter against the run of play that could have really put the Hawks in the ascendancy, and Dunkley should have made him pay but he strikes the post from a gettable distance.
2nd quarter (10:10 remaining) Hawthorn 7.4 (46) vs Western Bulldogs 3.7 (25)
Better from the Bulldogs, breaking the game up and throwing themselves at contests at ground level. They can’t fashion anything in space though despite Dahlhaus, Bontempelli, Johannisen and Picken all snatching half a yard on their opponent.
Well I don't think much more could go against Doggies.
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) September 16, 2016
Updated
Soft frees that gift possession to Hawks just kill ya.#AFLHawksDogs
— Mick Ellis (@MickEllis) September 16, 2016
Hawks goal! 2nd quarter (12:10 remaining) Hawthorn 7.4 (46) vsWestern Bulldogs 3.5 (23)
Hawthorn piling on the goals this quarter, Liam Shiels this time, rewarded for a tackle on Daniel 35 metres from goal straight in front. He goes back and splits the posts.
That attack came from a ruck contest free kick Hawthorn’s way which was incredibly harsh on Roughead. Bulldogs can feel hard done by there.
Hawks goal! 2nd quarter (13:10 remaining) Hawthorn 6.4 (40) vs Western Bulldogs 3.5 (23)
If the first quarter was tentative and played around the boundary, the second is open and through the corridor. Hawthorn’s pacemen Rioli and Hill are troubling the Dogs. The Bulldogs’ tenacity and repeat pressure acts are forcing Hawthorn’s centre and back lines into uncharacteristic mistakes.
Hawthorn goal again! Gunston lines up from 50m in the right forward pocket and his shot comes off hands and into dangerous territory. Hawthorn pressure keeps the ball in until an errant clearance finds Hill who feeds Mitchell who sets up Hodge to stroke through his first.
Hawks goal! 2nd quarter (16:30 remaining) Hawthorn 5.4 (34) vsWestern Bulldogs 3.5 (23)
... and then Hawthorn win a clearance of their own, Burgoyne to Hill, goal.
This one’s alive!
Bulldogs goal! x 2! 2nd quarter (17:00 remaining) Hawthorn 4.4 (28) vs Western Bulldogs 3.5 (23)
Stringer replies immediately! Good build up play by Picken feeds the maligned forward but he kicks his first of the night and looks pumped.
From the bounce, the Dogs launch, Bontempelli taking a brilliant contested mark against Hodge 30 metres out and he narrows the margin to five.
Hawks goal! 2nd quarter (19:30 remaining) Hawthorn 4.4 (28) vs Western Bulldogs 1.5 (11)
Immediate turnover to Hawthorn, rapid counter, Rioli goal. Bish bash bosh to start the second quarter.
Most of the statistical indicators are too even to bother sharing, beyond the Bulldogs leading inside 50s by 3 and contested possessions by 9.
Not much to write home about with the individual stats either, apart from the tackle count of Clay Smith (6) and Tom Boyd (5). Luke Hodge has been quiet, with only four disposals.
Quarter time - Hawks by 11
With boos from disenchanted Bulldogs supporters (and plenty of neutrals in the Footscray camp) aimed at the umpires, the players jog off for quarter time. Not the most decisive of starts to the game but Hawthorn will be delighted by how dangerous they look in front of goal. Luke Beveridge will hope his charges start to relax when their chances arrive.
Updated
1st quarter (0:30 remaining) Hawthorn 3.4 (22) vs Western Bulldogs 1.5 (11)
Finally the pressure tells! One stoppage too many for the Hawks as McLean snaps from 30 metres straight in front and the ball dribbles through for the goal the Dogs deserved.
But wait... Luke Hodge is claiming a touch, and while the ad break is underway the review takes place and - it’s a behind! Deflation for the Bulldogs, boos ringing around the MCG.
1st quarter (1:30 remaining) Hawthorn 3.4 (22) vs Western Bulldogs 1.4 (10)
That goal has brought some belief to the Bulldogs and they enjoy a spell of repeat possession in Hawthorn’s half. Stringer with a smother, Liberatore with a strong tackle, Daniel resisting a crunching tackle from Rioli after a hospital handball from Johannisen.
Cries of BAAAALLLLLL reverberating around the G as a succession of Hawks are buffeted to the ground not more than 30 metres from their posts. Two or three decent shouts go unrewarded by the umpires. Good suffocating pressure from the Dogs.
Bulldogs goal! 1st quarter (4:40 remaining) Hawthorn 3.4 (22) vs Western Bulldogs 1.3 (9)
Big moment for the Bulldogs. Easton Wood finds space somehow, floating to the right of a stoppage just inside 50, and he goes back and nails it! Finally the first major, and from the acting captain. Hopefully that will steady a few nerves.
1st quarter (5:50 remaining) Hawthorn 3.4 (22) vs Western Bulldogs 0.3 (3)
The forward pressure of Hawthorn’s smalls is really telling. The previous goal was the product of Rioli’s tackling brilliance and he nails another Bulldog, Dahlhaus this time, inside his defensive 50 to earn another set shot. This one drifts wide.
1st quarter (6:50 remaining) Hawthorn 3.3 (21) vs Western Bulldogs 0.3 (3)
Burgoyne is the key figure in this quarter, again picking a target inside 50, this time Rioli. Curiously, Rioli eschews the shot from 40 metres on a 45-degree angle passing inboard but he misses his target and the Dogs clear. It comes straight back through Smith but he can only smack a behind.
The Dogs can’t clear their lines a second time, and Rioli doesn’t miss his target a second time. His cross picks out Puopolo and his little pal tires his best to butcher the unmissable set shot, but he’s repreived on review.
Hawks well in control now.
1st quarter (8:33 remaining) Hawthorn 2.2 (14) vs Western Bulldogs 0.3 (3)
Another poor miss! Lachie Hunter this time on the run with his left foot after some tidy groundwork down the left flank.
Hawthorn again go coast to coast, picking their way around the boundary. Burgoyne’s delivery isn’t spot on this time though and instead of a set shot for goal it’s a snap from Puopolo that earns only one point.
Bulldogs behind - 1st quarter (10:33 remaining) Hawthorn 2.1 (13) vs Western Bulldogs 0.2 (2)
Tory Dixon misses another gettable opportunity, fading this one right of the big sticks. This was always the worry for the Bullies; they won’t get too many opportunities tonight so they can’t afford such profligacy.
Hawks goal! 1st quarter (13:33 remaining) Hawthorn 2.1 (13) vs Western Bulldogs 0.1 (1)
Shaun Burgoyne is a beauty. Hawthorn again enjoy some time with the ball in hand and the veteran pings one onto the chest of Sicily leading from centre half-forward to the top of the arc. It looks like goal number two for the recalled youngster but his shot tails off late.
Not that Burgoyne minds. From a Bulldogs counterattack that reached Hawthorn’s goalsquare, the Hawks go coast to coast courtesy of another Burgoyne delivery, finding Gunston this time, who goals.
Credit has to go to James Frawley for his last ditch defending to prevent the Dogs in the middle of that passage.
Hawks goal! 1st quarter (14:33 remaining) Hawthorn 1.0 (6) vs Western Bulldogs 0.1 (1)
Hawthorn finally enjoy a decent spell of possession, working it around the left boundary by foot. It’s a wobbly entry inside 50 but James Sicily read the drop better than Matt Suckling, rode a tackle or two and managed to smuggle the opening goal. Against the run of play, but they all count.
1st quarter (15:13 remaining) Hawthorn 0.0 (0) vs Western Bulldogs 0.1 (1)
Shocking miss from Tory Dixon! Shanked a set shot from 20 metres out on a slight angle after winning a soft free-kick against Birchall. More good build up from the Dogs though with another dangerous inside 50. Opening five minutes dominated by the underdogs, five entries to none inside 50.
1st quarter (17:43 remaining) Hawthorn 0.0 (0) vs Western Bulldogs 0.0 (0)
Both sides get their hands on it early and it’s a chain of handballs from the Dogs that creates the first opening but Clay Smith’s snap is marked in the goalsquare by a Hawthorn defender.
Excellent pressure from the boys in blue, keeping Hawthorn pinned in their own defensive territory and Breust is lucky to escape a holding the ball call in set shot territory.
Opening Bounce
... aaaaaannnnnddddd we’re off!
Grand final entertainment idea: 16 non-competing coaches run a very ginger 400m race in suit pants and club polos.
— Russell Jackson (@rustyjacko) September 16, 2016
Anthem time at the ‘G (cue Tweets about the pointlessness of the exercise. Nobody taking a knee by the looks of things).
The Bulldogs are wearing their traditional blue guernseys, teamed with white shorts. The Hawks are in brown and gold tops and brown shorts.
The lights are on, the ground’s packed, we’re all set for another belter.
Shaun Burgoyne can draw level with Martin Pike in second place in VFL/AFL history for most finals wins as a player with his 21st victory in a final if Hawthorn win tonight.
The most finals wins for players in history are Michael Tuck (26 wins for Hawthorn), Martin Pike (21 for Melbourne, North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions), Kevin Bartlett (20 for Richmond), Shaun Burgoyne (20 for Port Adelaide and Hawthorn), Leigh Matthews (19 for Hawthorn), Chris Mew (19 for Hawthorn), Francis Bourke (18 for Richmond), Gary Ayres (18 for Hawthorn), Dermott Brereton (18 for Hawthorn), Rodney Eade (18 for Hawthorn), Jason Akermanis (18 for the Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs).
Tonight was made for this man 👍🏼#EmbraceTheHunt #AFLHawksDogs pic.twitter.com/7KpTIkKI0k
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) September 16, 2016
If you were wondering, it’s dry and cool at the MCG, excellent conditions for footy. There’s a northerly blowing around but it shouldn’t play a significant role at pitch level.
Bulldogs fans have been marching to the MCG from Federation Square in Melbourne city centre, some famous faces among them too.
SEA OF BLUE @westernbulldogs @shanedelia @Franjic5 @TSorensen1 #Jakobsen pic.twitter.com/8VKKWL3XIu
— TIM CAHILL (@Tim_Cahill) September 16, 2016
The mighty colosseum...we've arrived at the @MCG. #BeMoreBulldog pic.twitter.com/qGW7EoG2wl
— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) September 16, 2016
These two sides last met back in round three at Etihad Stadium. The Hawks led at quarter time and half time but the Dogs raced ahead in the third. As the lead see-sawed in the final term it seemed a young team was coming of age.
And then disaster struck. Hawthorn attacked, James Sicily leapt for the ball, and Robert Murphy crumpled to the ground clutching his leg. Sicily kicked the winning goal, the Bulldogs skipper limped from the ground with his season ended.
It’s remarkable how those closing minutes are a microcosm of the season. Hawthorn staging a late revival and doing just enough. The Bulldogs winning over neutrals with their bravery, only to be dashed by injury.
The Bulldogs’ banner game is on fleek (I say that, not really knowing what ‘on fleek’ means, but the kids on MTV seem to use it all the time). That is because of comedian Danny McGinlay who allowed cameras behind the scenes recently to gain an insight into his creative process.
Don’t forget you can join in, and I’d really like it if you did.
Tweet me @JPHowcroft or email me at jonathan.howcroft.freelance@guardian.co.uk.
Western Bulldogs 22
The Bulldogs also go in as listed yesterday, with Toby McLean the beneficiary of Lin Jong’s unfortunate injury last week.
B: Jason Johannisen, Joel Hamling, Matthew Boyd
HB: Matthew Suckling, Dale Morris, Easton Wood
C: Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Liam Picken
HF: Clay Smith, Jake Stringer, Josh Dunkley
F: Tory Dickson, Tom Boyd, Caleb Daniel
FOL: Jordan Roughead, Luke Dahlhaus, Tom Liberatore
I/C: Jack Macrae, Zaine Cordy, Toby McLean, Shane Biggs
Talking Point: Tom Boyd enjoyed arguably his best game of league football last time out. His physical presence contributed to an imposing display from the Bulldogs and the same has to be delivered tonight to keep Hawthorn’s ball playing defenders honest, and his army of critics off his back.
Hawthorn 22
The Hawks go into tonight’s game with the 22 named yesterday. That means James Sicily and Billy Hartung come in for Ryan Burton (calf) and Daniel Howe (omitted).
B: Taylor Duryea, James Frawley, Shaun Burgoyne
HB: Ben Stratton, Josh Gibson, Grant Birchall
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge
HF: Luke Breust, Jack Gunston, Cyril Rioli
F: Paul Puopolo, James Sicily, Ryan Schoenmakers
FOL: Ben McEvoy, Jordan Lewis, Liam Shiels
I/C: Billy Hartung, Bradley Hill, Brendan Whitecross, Jack Fitzpatrick
Talking Point: Isaac Smith has enough premiership medallions not to lose sleep over one defeat, but his performance tonight will be scrutinised after the events of last week. I’d expect he’ll be reminded of his miss after the siren by a Bulldog or two during the course of the game.
Preamble
Hello again, and thanks for joining me for the first semi-final of the weekend between Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs. The opening bounce is scheduled for 7.50pm EST.
As is always the case in semi-final week the narrative is overwhelmingly optimistic about the two elimination final winners, while doom and gloom follows the qualifying final losers. That means the praises of the Western Bulldogs have been sung from the rafters, and talk of Hawthorn’s dynasty crumbling to dust have grown louder.
If we allow reason to intervene briefly, Hawks fans needn’t be so concerned. They’re unbeaten in their last eight against the Dogs, and only five teams have gone out in straight sets since the current finals system was introduced in 2000.
The Bulldogs are easy for the neutral to get behind though, from the obstacles they’ve overcome this season, through their long wait for a flag, to their blue collar inner-west credentials. They’re more than just a plucky stooge too. In Marcus Bontempelli they boast the recently announced captain of the AFL’s under-22 representative side, and around him there are some the finest young inside midfielders in the competition. The question remains, can they impose themselves on the scoreboard sufficiently to threaten a club as well practiced in such scenarios as the experienced Hawks?
Jonathan will be with you shortly but in the meantime, check out his preview of this weekend’s round of AFL semi-finals.
