Grand Final Re-Cap: The battle of the big birds!
It was a glorious day at the MCG on the first Saturday in October, no better conditions for an AFL Grand Final. Two very deserving teams in West Coast Eagles and Hawthorn Hawks came together to do battle in front of a sell-out crowd of 100,000 supporters.
Hawthorn came into their fourth consecutive Grand Final show-down with experience on their side, and fire in their bellies. They were on the hunt for the flag, and they had it cornered.
West Coast travelled over from sunny Perth for their first Grand Final appearance since 2006, and were thirstier than ever to take a swig out of that Premiership cup.
The Eagles won the toss, and as the first ball was bounced in the square the crowd let out a deafening roar around the ground. A roar that continued for the entirety of the game and would have left a lot people feeling a little bit horse the next day.
West Coast were quick off the mark and an incredible sweeping pick up from Matt Priddis resulted in an early mark inside 50 by who else but power forward Josh Kennedy. Twinkle Toes (Kennedy) lined himself up and slotted the first goal straight through the middle of the sticks putting West Coast on the scoreboard almost immediately.
As the Eagles appeared to gain momentum, Hawthorn upped their defensive pressure. The Hawks displayed a tight lockdown and an incredible intercept from Bradley Hill in the midfield resulted in the Hawks first goal, a left foot snap from none other than Cyril “delicious” Rioli.
At half time the Hawks were in front by 15 points but the Eagles were not giving up without a fight. An impressive quarter from West Coast with outside run from Andrew Gaff, a dash in the middle from Luke Shuey and a flying specky from Nic Naitanui gave them confidence going into the last quarter at just 2 points down.
The stage was set for a classic grand final finish in the fourth quarter. It was one of the most incredible and exciting quarters of footy I have ever seen! Luke Bruest was quick to fire for the Hawks, kicking a goal mere minutes after the first bounce of the quarter. Sam Mitchell’s ball skills under pressure were outstanding setting up numerous Hawthorn forward entries. However, the undermanned West Coast backline stood strong and weathered the Hawthorn attack. West Coast were able to finally get the ball back into their forward half where Kennedy was able to stand tall and deliver a much needed goal.
Eagle Mark LeCras was next to pop up and kicked an amazing crumbing goal to get West Coast back within a straight kick. West Coast pulled out all of the stops in crucial stages of the game. The web was in overdrive however the Hawks still had the lead with only minutes remaining.
With 1 minute left, a throw in 70m out from the Eagles goal was their last hope. Nic Nat, who has been impressive in the ruck all day, manages to get a tap out the back to a running Luke Shuey, delivering a kick in Kennedy’s direction. JK jumps up to take the mark but is spoiled by Hawk James Frawley, the ball then falls to the floor with the unlikely hero Josh Hill swooping on the ball at full speed and throws the ball on his right boot… GOAL!
West Coast are now up by 4 points with 35 seconds left on the clock. The ball is bounced down in the middle and Nic Nat get’s a clear tap however, it was sharked by Sam Mitchell and he bangs the ball on his boot towards the Hawks 50. Jarryd Roughead was playing in front and bodies the West Coast defender out of the contest to take the mark 55m out on a slight 20 degree angle.
The crowd is going crazy! Supporters for each side are all on their feet. While going back on the mark the siren sounds. Roughie has the chance to win it for the Hawks.
Roughie kicks from just outside the 50 and everyone hold’s their breath. Then a massive cheer can be heard and the West Coast Eagle’s anthem plays throughout the G. The West Coast Eagles are the champions for 2015 with a 3 point win over the Hawks!
The Norm Smith Medal is awarded to Matt Priddis from West Coast Eagles, after producing a cracking individual performance of 35 touches, 8 tackles and 1 goal.
Another AFL season done and dusted, unfortunately! What a season it was.
I can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store for us footy freaks.
