Hawks do it for Hodgey
IT was an emotional night at Etihad Stadium as Hawthorn farewelled Luke Hodge (left) in style with a win over the Western Bulldogs and fellow retiree Bob Murphy (right). ).
HAWTHORN has sent retiring champion Luke Hodge off in style with a nine-point win that ended the Western Bulldogs’ premiership defence.
The 15.9 (99) to 13.12 (90) win also brought an end to the decorated careers of Bulldogs greats Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd — as well as injured Hawks defender Josh Gibson.
The Dogs needed to beat the Hawks and have three other results go their way, but they couldn’t complete their part of the equation in front of 48,090 fans on an emotional night at Etihad Stadium.
Hodge was warmly applauded by the Hawks’ home crowd every time he touched the ball.
In his 305th and final AFL game, the four-time premier- ship star played his customary role across half-back and finished with 14 possessions.
Murphy started up forward and was lively early before finishing with 15 disposals and a goal, while Boyd was outstanding with an equal game-high 33 touches.
Both teams formed a guard of honour at the end of the game with the retiring stars saluting the crowd for one last time.
The Dogs trailed at every change and looked to be out of the contest when the Hawks opened a game-high 24-point lead late in the third term.
But Luke Beveridge’s men mustered one last push and had the better of the final term without making the most of their scoring opportunities.
Hawthorn skipper Jarryd Roughead was the dominant forward on the ground, finishing with five goals, with Isaac Smith and Paul Puopolo booting three each.
Tom Mitchell, who has had a remarkable year for the Hawks, had 32 possessions. He and Jaeger O’Meara (25 disposals and 11 tackles) were key factors around the ball for Alastair Clarkson’s side.
It was an even first quarter but the Hawks started to gain the ascendancy in the second quarter before establishing a solid lead midway through the third term. Late goals to the Bulldogs gave them hope, but Hawthorn was too good.