It was the trade that changed everything. It is not even two years ago that Western Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen demanded to leave the club while under contract. In a staggering exchange that re-wrote the rules of the AFL's post-season, he went north to emerging Greater Western Sydney, trading places with the Giants' "man-child" No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd, who signed a seven-year deal worth nearly $1million per year. Judgments about the trade's winner looked like a prospect for years in the future. But the future is now. GWS and the Bulldogs will meet next Saturday at Spotless Stadium for a place in the grand final.
That tantalising match-up came as Hawthorn's quest for a record-equalling fourth straight flag drifted away limply into the ether of a glorious September night at the MCG. The last side striving to match Collingwood's record of four straight premierships – the 2004 Brisbane Lions – had led Port Adelaide by a point at half-time. The Hawks had the same lead at half-time of this semi-final but would befall the same fate as Leigh Matthews' Lions.
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AFL plays of the finals: week two
Bontempelli, Stringer and Co run all over the reigning premiers as Hawthorn go out in straight sets while the Swans avoid that fate as they muscle past Adelaide at the SCG.
Marcus Bontempelli, Jake Stringer, Liam Picken, Jordan Roughead and Jack Macrae took charge as the Dogs slammed home nine goals in little over a quarter, savagely ending the Hawks' reign. The third stanza is colloquially known as the "premiership quarter," and so the Hawks' flag bona fides in 2016 were laid bare as the underdogs booted six goals to one for the term.
Hawthorn added a handful of majors late for respectability, but the end had finally come.
The Bulldogs banner noted that while Hawthorn had 75,000 members, the Dogs had 24 million supporters. Certainly this was the case anecdotally. It was hard to find a neutral who wanted the champions to win. People had seemingly had enough. And so 87,823 flocked to the 'G knowing the dynasty could die. It was the third biggest crowd in Bulldogs history.
Even though the Dogs had the lion's share of territory and possession to half-time, it was Hawthorn that had threatened to run away with the game early. Cyril Rioli banged through the first of the second term, and the margin was 17points. A lesser side would have folded, but the Dogs steadied as their two most spellbinding players – Stringer and Bontempelli – kicked consecutive goals, bringing the margin back to within a kick. Challenged, Hawthorn duly responded.
Brad Hill drilled home clinically within a minute. Then Luke Hodge – minutes after being out-bodied by Bontempelli and nursing a hurt finger – drove home off a step from 40 metres. Soon after Liam Shiels brought down Caleb Daniel and kicked just his third goal of the season.
The margin had reached an ominous 23 points. When Josh Dunkley and Jason Johannisen wasted opportunities to kick steadying goals, you wondered whether the Dogs had run their race. But with a chance to extend the margin to 27 points, Luke Breust missed a gimme from 20metres out. Dunkley sprayed another shot moments later, but the turning point was to come. Tom Liberatore masterfully picked off a Grant Birchall handball 75 metres out from goal, kicking deep to Dunkley – who marked uncontested and ended his run of outs.
From the ensuing centre bounce Picken was lined up by Breust who laid a mean hip and shoulder. But emblematically it was Picken who came off the better. Having faltered minutes earlier Johannisen laid a strong tackle, and Clay Smith capitalised. Smith took a strong overhead grab to kick the game's next too. It was fitting – a man who has thrice come back from knee reconstructions hauling his team back from the brink.
Tory Dickson had a kick on the half-time siren to give his team the advantage at the long change. Normally a reliable kick he registered his third behind of the half, having never previously kicked more than two in a game.
Taylor Duryea wanted Dickson to know about it, beginning a push and shove that will help fill AFL coffers. But the fight would soon be won definitively.
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