Hawthorn’s 12-point victory means the club claims the minor premiership for 2013, while the Swans will end the home-and-away season in fourth spot. It also confirms the two qualifying final matchups next week - Hawthorn will host the Swans in Melbourne, while Geelong will be at home against Fremantle.
2. Injuries, or ducks and drakes?
There was big news before the opening bounce with Swans spearhead Kurt Tippett (hamstring tightness) and Hawthorn ruckman Max Bailey (general soreness) both late withdrawals, replaced by Mitch Morton and Matthew Spangher respectively. With a Hawthorn win meaning the two teams would meet in a qualifying final next week, there were plenty of suggestions the late omissions was more tactical than serious injury concerns. Another injured Swan in Dan Hannebery, who is Tippett's housemate, was confident the big forward would be right for the first week of finals. "His hammy was just a bit tight, so no risks," he said on Melbourne radio station 3AW prior to the opening bounce. "He should be fine next week."
3. Franklin finals doubt
All eyes will be on Monday's report from the Match Review Panel as Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin waits to find out his fate after being reported for a second-term clash with Nick Malceski. Footage that will no doubt be replayed endlessly over the weekend showed Franklin, ranked No.10 in the Official AFL Player Ratings, made what appeared to be late and high contact with Malceski two minutes into the second term.
4. Roughead’s Coleman?
Jarryd Roughead's four goals means he finishes the home-and-away rounds on 68 goals and in pole position to win the Coleman Medal. Roughead kicked one in the opening term, added another in the third and two in the last. He leads by seven from Travis Cloke (61), with Jeremy Cameron and Josh Kennedy one back on 60. Richmond's Jack Riewoldt (57) will need a big, big bag against Essendon on Saturday night if he is to claim a third Coleman Medal.
5. Stuttering Swans
The Swans head into next week's finals series with a similar formline to their eventual 2012 premiership-winning season. Last year, the Swans lost three out of the last four games before the finals, and will head into the 2013 post-season in a similar slump. While they bounced back to taste the ultimate success last year, repeating that feat this time around will be a much tougher task given many of their 2012 premiership side are missing. Friday's line-up against the Hawks contained just 13 players from the team that took out last year's flag.
