Click on the video player above to watch highlights from the Sydney Swans 10-point win over Hawthorn at the MCG in the 2012 AFL Grand Final
Grand Final v Hawthorn
First Quarter
In a tough and hotly contested opening quarter, it was Hawthorn who got the run on. In a quarter which saw the Hawks outscore the Sydney Swans four goals to one, what the Swans were not able to produce on the scoreboard, they were able to produce in other efforts around the ground. While Nick Malceski’s unbelievable snapped goal in the tenth minute from deep in the left forward pocket will go down as one of the moments of the match, third-year Swan Dan Hannebery’s courageous mark in front of big Hawk David Hale in the 22nd minute was just as inspiring.
Sydney Swans 1.4 (10)
Hawthorn 4.5 (29)
First quarter goals: Malceski
Second Quarter
The second quarter produced the momentum swing the Swans needed, with the team kicking six unanswered goals. Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy got his side off to a fast start, nailing a 55-metre bomb in the first minute of the second term. Quick goals to Kieren Jack and co-captain Jarrad McVeigh then reduced the margin back to just one point before a brilliant link of play between Alex Johnson, Nick Malceski and Ryan O’Keefe set up Sam Reid for the Swans’ fourth goal of the term. Then, in four mad minutes, Swans forward Mitch Morton stepped up to the plate, converting two almost identical goals from 20 metres out, to see the Swans go into the second half with a 16-point lead. The only dampener on what was a spectacular quarter was a knee injury to co-captain Adam Goodes after a knock early in the term. Despite tearing his posterior cruciate ligament, Goodes chose to remain on the ground and play the rest of the match.
Sydney Swans 7.4 (46)
Hawthorn 4.6 (30)
Second quarter goals: Morton 2, McVeigh, Kennedy, Jack, Reid
Third Quarter
A missed set shot by big Hawk Jarryd Roughead in the first minute of the third quarter was capitalised on by the Swans, when Lewis Jetta angled a perfect kick to Kieren Jack who set up Josh Kennedy for his second goal of the match. The Swans’ lead was extended to 28-points when Sam Reid found Lewis Roberts-Thomson free 30 metres from goal. Roberts-Thomson made no mistake and the Swans looked set to produce another outstanding quarter. But the Hawks hung tough, with ruckman David Hale converting a 50-metre goal to bring Hawthorn back into the game. Hawks star Lance Franklin then imposed himself on the match, running off the mark and sinking a 50 metre bomb off one step. Consecutive goals to Matthew Suckling, Jack Gunston, Franklin and Isaac Smith put the Hawks back in front by four points, before a 50-metre penalty to McVeigh in the 27th minute resulted in the Swans heading into the final quarter with the lead by a solitary point.
Sydney Swans 10.5 (65)
Hawthorn 9.10 (64)
Third quarter goals: McVeigh, Kennedy, Roberts-Thomson
Fourth Quarter:
In the all-important final quarter of the 2012 Grand Final, it was Hawthorn who got away to the better start, with Franklin and Cyril Rioli combining to set up Luke Breust for the first goal of the quarter. Hawks ruckman Hale extended their lead out to 11 points in the second minute of the quarter, and momentum looked to have shifted the way of the Hawks. Eight minutes into the term, the Swans made the decision to substitute Luke Parker for Shane Mumford. Moments later, the Swans bounced back when hardworking midfielder Dan Hannebery kicked a much-needed goal following a clever and courageous tap forward from Lewis Jetta. Ten minutes of hard, contested play followed, with a number of players, including Alex Johnson, Adam Goodes, Ted Richards and Jetta, all receiving attention from the Swans’ trainers. Then a terrific 2-on-1 effort from Mitch Morton resulted in a Kieren Jack goal in the 18th minute to level the scores. A much needed captain’s goal followed from Goodes in the 22nd minute to give the Swans a seven-point late in the quarter. The Hawks had their chance to break back into the game with a set shot to Jack Gunston, who narrowly missed when he hit the post with just over five minutes remaining. Two misses to Hawthorn’s Brad Sewell reduced the margin to just four points, before Swans defender Nick Malceski secured the club’s fifth ever premiership with a left-foot snap over the pack from close range.
Sydney Swans 14.7 (91)
Hawthorn 11.15 (81)
Fourth Quarter Goals: Hannebery, Malceski, Jack, Goodes
| Sydney Swans | 1.4 | 7.4 | 10.5 | 14.7 (91) |
| Hawthorn | 4.5 | 4.6 | 9.10 | 11.15 (81) |
Club Champions Votes: Ryan O’Keefe 45, Jarrad McVeigh 45, Dan Hannebery 45
Official Crowd: 99,683 at the MCG
