Talking Hawks Elimination Final MVP

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The Dream Continues...

The Hawks have dazzled under Friday night lights, taming the Dogs and locking in a date with Port Adelaide for a Semi-Final.

Continuing their electric form, Hawthorn put on a spectacular display in front of a sell out crowd with 97,828 fans having turned up to the MCG (the most ever for an Elimination Final).

For many of the young boys in the Hawks line up, it was their first ever final AND their first ever Friday night game. But if any of them had nerves, they didn’t show it. Especially first years Nick Watson and Calsher Dear who, having kicked seven goals between them, demonstrated they were built for finals footy.

After a close first quarter, Hawthorn came out firing stealing the lead in the second and never relenting. By the third, the game was truly on Hawthorn’s terms, controlling the ball movement, subduing their star players in Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Trealor, and carving through the Bulldogs defence with relative ease.

The Hawks finished the night 14.15 (99) to 9.8 (62) and will go into next week’s game in Adelaide with plenty of momentum and excitement.

GO HAWKS!

Tim

3. Sam Frost

Frosty had a massive role to play on Friday evening playing against Sam Darcy and Jamara Ugle-Hagan and he delivered. Frost used his body to perfection, stopping them from being able to run and jump at the contest, and ruffled some feathers along the way. This man has a heart the size of Phar Lap!

2. Jack Scrimshaw

The “Scrim-reaper’s” intercept marking was absolutely tremendous and he did a massive job playing on Aaron Naughton. Scrimma was born to play in September and I loved watching him play such a pivotal role in his first ever final.

1. Jai Newcombe

With no Will Day and Cam Mackenzie, the midfield needed a player to stand up on Friday evening against a star studded Bulldogs line up. The man they call Duke did just that, with a huge effort in the second and third quarter that helped us get on top in the engine room.

His goal roving the tap from Lloyd Meek was sublime. Where’s his ceiling? Duke delivered in a massive way in his first final appearance.

Mitch

3. Jai Newcombe

Yet another week where I want to give most of the side votes! It’s a tough ask to separate the top 10 or so players but I think Nuke deserved BOG.

I said last week that with no Will Day, Nuke would have to step up to help us win the midfield battle and boy did he! A true finals player and one of many who was built for September action!

2. Jack Scrimshaw

In such a dominant performance, I wanted to give some love to the often overlooked back six. James Sicily can count himself incredibly unlucky but I’ve given Jack Scrimshaw some love for an absolute superb effort down back.

The game was always going to come down to if we could stop the Dogs tall forwards and Scrimma was an enormous part of that success. Was absolutely spectacular, especially in the first half. He’s had a great season and it’s hard to think of many games he has played as good as this one, given the context!

1. Calsher Dear

Once again, this last vote could go to nearly anyone but I’ve had to give Calsher the nod! DEAR, OH DEAR, he was good! Such a beast in the air and he’s only 19 years of age.

Kicked three goals, four for the game including an absolute stunner from the boundary. He was a big reason why we were able to get in front in the 2nd-3rd term and the sky’s the limit for this kid!

James Sicily, Lloyd Meek, Massimo D’Ambrosio, Sam Frost, Harry Morrison, Blake Hardwick, Nick Watson and Connor MacDonald all incredibly stiff not to feature in the votes! What a ride this has been, bring on Port!

Lauren

3. Jai Newcombe

Bontempelli who? I for one am not shocked that this bloke stood up in September. Newcombe has always looked built for it, and proved it against the Doggies on Friday.

35 disposals and a belting goal, along with a game high 10 score involvements. Was clearly the best midfielder on the ground, against a side that had two 2024 All Australians in there.

2. James Sicily

This was the captain’s game. Sicily looked as comfortable as ever, with the extra week off. His shoulder didn’t seem to bother him when he took his four crucial intercept marks. Worked well as a leader to ensure the backline kept their shape against a towering forward line.

He was able to kickstart our rebound game with his standard elite kicking. Can now tick captaining a finals win off his bucket list.

1. Lloyd Meek

Meek took Tim English to the cleaners, outbodied him in the ruck and around the ground. He kicked our first goal after a nice contested mark inside 50 had an insane 46 hitouts, the highlight being his tap to Newcombe before he slotted his goal.

23 disposals is a massive number for a ruck, that along with equal team high five clearances. What can’t he do?

Chris

3. Jai Newcombe

‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man’ Needth I say more?

I don’t think I need to elaborate about his stat sheet, Jai has stamped his authority as a big time player when it counts the most, IN FINALS. He kicked a timely goal late in the 2nd quarter to put us in front, it’s moments like these that build stories of legends.

2. James Sicily

Another ‘big time player’ doing his best work when it mattered most. The skipper was an absolute rock in defense with nine marks and six intercept possessions in the first half when the game was on the line. He finished the game with 23 disposals, 11 marks and a game defining 541m gained.

1. Connor MacDonald

I feel like a record on repeat, but the consistency and workrate of C’MAC cannot go unrecognised! Hurting the opposition where it hurts the most, on the scoreboard. Croc had an equal game high 10 score involvements including a handy two goals of his own. I really love the way he plays and the energy he brings to the team.

I do want to make a special mention to Josh Ward’s game and the progress he’s made this season. He wasn’t just making up the numbers or a passenger on the night, he stepped up in a big game. 22 disposals and a game high nine tackles, well played young man.