Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara were typically robust through the midfield,while Chad Wingard provided plenty of run. Tyler Brockman,still coming to terms with the demands of being a professional,booted three goals but Jacob Koschitzke was subbed off with an AC joint issue.
Burgoyne,in his 407th match,had 21 touches,beginning at half-back and finishing at full forward in the hope of one last goal. He also had several jumper changes,perhaps ensuring one each for his four children.
There was also coaching symmetry,for Clarkson,then a Port Adelaide assistant,had coaxed Damien Hardwick,then a Power premiership player,back to Melbourne in late 2004 to be his assistant when Clarkson became Hawthorn coach.
The pair remain great friends,and embraced pre-match. The Tigers troubled their opponents when they went quickly - Jack Ross and Jayden Short were busy all day - and five late goals,including two to Sydney Stack,ensured this contest won’t be forgotten quickly.
Full of passion
Clarkson was as motivated as ever. When the Tigers again broke through the Hawks’ zone defence in the opening term,leading to a Mabior Chol mark and goal,an incensed Clarkson made his feelings clear by phone to the bench. That frustration eased when Brockman conjured a goal off the ground minutes later,the term coming alive after an early defensive grind.
A fresh look
Hardwick said pre-match he was excited about the new look of his side,having made nine changes,six through injury. No Trent Cotchin,Toby Nankervis and Dion Prestia,not to mention Dustin Martin,ensured a new centre-bounce set up. Ross found plenty of the ball,and Will Martyn had his moments,while Liam Baker continued a stand-out season. But it was the Hawks,the No.1 ranked side for inside 50 pressure this season,who conjured four goals in the second term. O’Meara and Mitchell were busy,as the Hawks held a two-goal break at half-time. Irishman Conor Nash,having morphed into a midfielder/wingman,appears set for a prosperous 2022. After the main break,defender Nick Vlastuin continued to live dangerously,and a crude late hit on Oliver Hanrahan will be scrutinised.
The right call
Hardwick said Astbury and Bachar Houli could both have played on next year,but each understood the time was right to retire. When Astbury had what was a game-high 12 touches early in the second term,one wondered whether the right call had been made. Injury prevented Houli from taking to the field,but Astbury,in his 155th match,was able to take his customary spot in defence,on this day matching up on Ben McEvoy.
“I wouldn’t say it was difficult,” Hardwick said on the decisions reached by Astbury and Houli.
“Bachar,he has a great sense of gratitude and gratefulness and he understood where we were as a club. We wanted to make sure those boys got the opportunity to go out the right way.”
BEST
Hawthorn: Mitchell,O’Meara,Wingard,Hardwick,Frost
Richmond: Astbury,Ross,Short,McIntosh,Riewoldt
VOTES
Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn) 8
Jaeger O’Meara (Hawthorn) 8
Chad Wingard (Hawthorn) 8
David Astbury (Richmond) 7
Blake Hardwick (Hawthorn) 7
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