Lance Franklin lives for the big occasion so it was no surprise he had a huge say in proceedings – especially early - on his return to the MCG to face his ex-teammates. Even before the first bounce it was clear what sort of reception Buddy could expect from the Hawks faithful, with the Swans booed onto the ground for their warm-up. If it affected the dual premiership star, it was in a positive way. Buddy wasted no time testing out the Hawks fans' vocal chords, holding a sublime one-handed mark in the forward pocket after five minutes. His snap for goal was greeted with a huge cheer as he tugged it to the near side and set in motion another up-and-down night in front of goal. He finished with 3.5 from 18 touches and held seven marks.

 

In the huge build-up to the match, Jarryd Roughead's 200th match might not have received the recognition it deserved, but the Hawks star made sure it was a night to remember. The match couldn't have started any better for the Coleman medallist when he marked Luke Hodge's chipping pass on the lead and kicked truly for the game's first goal inside a minute. While his former partner in crime Franklin dominated the first half for the Swans, it was Roughead who asserted himself when it counted. Two crucial goals in the third term helped ignite the Hawks' seven-goal term and the boy from Leongatha finished with 4.4 and 18 disposals in a terrific performance.

A forward line boasting Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett, Sam Reid and Adam Goodes will take some stopping come finals but, even below full strength, it seems Hawthorn is one of the few sides able to sufficiently contain the Swans' stars. While the Swans' big men kicked nine majors and held 18 marks in an imposing display, it still wasn't enough to get the four points. With Brian Lake and Matt Spangher on the sidelines – and with Josh Gibson only in his first match back – the Hawks will be quietly confident for any meetings with John Longmire's men in September.

 

After two consecutive knee reconstructions, Alex Woodward finally lived out his AFL dream debut at the MCG. Wearing guernsey 39, the former number of Max Bailey – the premiership ruckman who underwent three knee reconstructions – Woodward had to cool his jets after starting in the green substitute's vest. The 21-year-old was finally given his chance late in the third quarter, replacing ruckman Jonathon Ceglar. Woodward got a quick handball for his first touch in the big time and then bombed a long ball to the top of the goalsquare for Jarryd Roughead to put the Hawks nine points up just moments before three-quarter time. Woodward finished with three touches.

 

It was a match that had everything, so it was only fitting that a new home and away attendance record was set between the two clubs. A mammoth crowd of 72,760 turned up, breaking the old mark of 72,130 between the sides set in round 22, 1999 in the last ever regular season game at Waverley. Only the 2012 Grand Final crowd of 99,683 is bigger between Hawthorn and the Swans. Incidentally, that game was the only time the Swans have beaten the Hawks at the MCG in the past eight clashes. You sense the Hawks haven't forgotten it, and the reigning premiers would have relished snapping the Swans' equal club record 12-game winning streak.