AFL Finals 2024: Hawks collar Bulldogs in elimination final

Cult hero Nick Watson and fellow first-year forward Calsher Dear have fired Hawthorn to a 37-point win over the Western Bulldogs in the first AFL elimination final.

The Hawks will travel interstate for a knock-out semi-final against Port Adelaide next week after running the Bulldogs ragged in the 14.15 (99) to 9.8 (62) victory at the MCG on Friday night.

It was Hawthorn’s first finals victory since completing a famous hat-trick of premierships in the 2015 grand final.

And it was the latest chapter in the so-called Hollywood Hawks’ stunning revival under Sam Mitchell, after a horror 0-5 start to the season.

Dear, son of 1991 Norm Smith medallist Paul Dear, kicked three goals and Watson finished with four in their first finals appearances, played in front of 97,828 fans - a new record for an elimination final.

Skipper James Sicily (23 disposals), Jai Newcombe (35, one goal) and ruckman Lloyd Meek (23) also shone as the Hawks overwhelmed the Bulldogs with 12 goals to five after quarter-time.

Jack Ginnivan, who courted criticism with a trip to a Richmond pub the night before the game, was creative and celebrated kicking the sealer midway through the final term by miming opening and drinking a can of beer.

Massimo D’Ambrosio (32 disposals), Jack Scrimshaw (26), Josh Ward (22) and Karl Amon (22) were all busy.

The Dogs’ biggest names went missing, with captain Marcus Bontempelli managing just 18 disposals in his quietest game of the year.

Fellow All-Australian midfielder Adam Treloar (28 disposals, one goal) was also below his best when it mattered in an engine room that was well beaten, while goalless key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (four touches) had little impact.

Bulldogs spearhead Aaron Naughton (three goals) kicked the opening major inside 20 seconds and neither side led by more than 12 points during a frantic first half.

It was the Dogs in front by that margin at quarter-time but a five-goal second term put the Hawks up 7.3 to 5.4 at half-time.

Sicily was outstanding in defence, allowed to do as he pleased by the Bulldogs’ forwards, while Newcombe lifted as the Hawks’ midfield got on top.

Dear kicked two second-quarter goals, including a clever soccer-style effort to take full toll from a mix-up by a pair of Dogs defenders.

There were ominous signs early in the third quarter as the Hawks dominated territory, and the dam wall eventually broke.

Connor Macdonald snapped his second goal, Dear added his third with a brilliant set shot from the boundary and Watson converted after a Ginnivan pass to give Hawthorn complete control.

Bontempelli kicked the first goal of the final term as the Bulldogs briefly threatened to mount a fightback, but Ginnivan (one goal) shut the gate and celebrated in style.