It was difficult conditions in Tassie, as the AFL nodded sagely at their insistence that any new stadium in Tasmania have a roof.
The wind was howling, the rain was coming down, and it may have taken until the final quarter, but the Hawks were able to put the Power away, exacting some small form of revenge for the way they bowed out of the 2024 race, at Port’s hands.
Coming in, the game had plenty of intrigue, with the Power having an excellent recent history over the Hawks, and Hawthorn having defended their Launceston Fortress very well over the journey. Something was going to give, and both teams made the early mistake of thinking the wind would do the work for them.
At half time, the team kicking with the wind yielded only two majors more than the side kicking against it, with the team kicking against the wind applying increased pressure once the luxury of relying on the elements was removed.
Even after three quarters, it as still only a two-goal advantage to the wind-assisted end.
But things changed quickly in the last.
As players fatigued and the rain eased a little, the Hawks were able to pile on five goals with the wind to finish off Port, and erase all hope of Ken Hinkley leading his team to finals.
It all culminated with Jack Ginnivan slotting a goal around the corner and pulling out the same “aeroplane” celebration that Hinkley used in the aftermath of the Semi-Final last year.
Let’s hope it doesn’t cost him 20 grand, huh? What a dumb fine that was.
On that note, let’s get into HB’s Loves and Hates from this one… and there are plenty.
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