Hawthorn hold out Geelong to win first flag in 17 years
WAS it the play that turned the AFL Grand Final Hawthorn's way?
It was certainly one of a number of key moments that swung the match in favour of the Hawks.
When Cyril Rioli manhandled three Geelong players on the outer wing to cause a turnover at the 17-minute mark of the third quarter it stopped the Cats in their tracks and swung the momentum the Hawks' way.
The match -- which saw Hawthorn win their first flag in 17 years with a 26-point, 18.7 (115) to 11.23 (89), victory -- was very much in the balance, with the Cats in front by a goal and looking to go forward from the contest.
It was then that 'Junior Boy' found himself out of position and outnumbered three-to-one in a contest on the wing near the boundary. Falling over from a shepherd, Rioli scrambled to lay a hand on the ball, dragged down a Cat in possession and won a free kick. It was from this point the Hawks kicked four goals in the next six minutes and they were never headed.
The pivotal moment and the subsequent premiership capped off a stunning AFL debut season for the young Northern Territorian.
His coach was certainly happy.
"We identified at the end of last year that we needed a crumbing forward and not in our wildest dreams did we (think he would produce what he has this year)," Hawks coach Allistair Clarkson said of Rioli post-match.
"We knew Cyril was a beauty, but you just never anticipate that they're going to play every game of the season and be able to play in a grand final.
"He's got a premiership medal now, but he's been in contention for mark of the year, goal of the year and the rising star and he's been very, very consistent. He's a 15-possession, five-tackle a game player with a goal or two -- he's been a sensational acquisition to our club."
Though perhaps not as dominant, even prominent, a display as that from Port Adelaide's quartet in the 2004 decider, Hawthorn's four Indigenous players -- Rioli, Mark Williams, Chance Bateman and Lance Franklin -- were all solid contributors to their win.
Williams, playing in a type of roving half-forward role, was the Hawks' leading goalkicker with three. His one-two work with team-mate Stewart Dew in the shadows of three-quarter-time, which resulted in a goal, when surrounded by Cats defenders was team-lifting.
Franklin snared just the two goals yet his pushing up the ground towards the wing early caused to unsettle the usually unflappable Cats backline.
Bateman ran with Gary Ablett and while the brilliant Cat proved almost unstoppable, Bateman ran hard as ever and booted one goal and provided key link-up play for his side.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Last Modified on 30/09/2008 02:26