Hawthorn are well placed to make the leap into a first grand final since 2015 after building steadily across three finals campaigns and putting on a dominant qualifying final display. A victory over Brisbane at this stage could even be the first step in a changing of the guard. But the Lions surely won’t give up their crown without a fight, as they aim to become just the third VFL/AFL side in nearly seven decades – after an earlier version from each of these clubs – to claim a premiership three-peat.
The Hawks could hardly have been more impressive as they ambushed the Dockers on their home turf to earn a week’s break and a home preliminary final at the MCG. The resounding triumph for Sam Mitchell’s side against the minor premiers came as a surprise to many but the signs were there in a hot streak that now includes one defeat in their past eight matches. The lingering concern will be that the loss in that stretch was a thumping from the Lions, who the Hawks have failed to beat in their past three clashes.
