The Sydney Morning Herald
· collected 2026-09-19 · by Libby Birch, Jon Pierik
It’s so often said that September is the time the biggest and best step up most, and Saturday’s thriller at the MCG in front of a shade under 98,000 people was proof of that.
asserted
thriller → say → that
In a match that had nail-biter written all over it, both the Hawks and Lions had their chances, but it was the two-time reigning premiers who did just enough when it mattered most.
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it → have → chances
The time will come for Sam Mitchell’s group, which is stacked with match-winning talent in its own right, but to be the best, they’ve got to beat the best.
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they → come → best
Four-time AFLW premiership player Libby Birch (Hawthorn) and reporter Jon Pierik (Brisbane Lions) run their eye over a preliminary final that will live long in the memory of all who saw it.
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who → run → it
Provided good early spread and a reliable outlet on the wing, but faded after half-time and conceded two costly turnovers by foot in the third quarter that handed Brisbane momentum.
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that → provide → momentum
His bump on Lachie Neale at the opening centre clearance appeared to rattle him, and he conceded several early free kicks, before working his way back into the contest.
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he → open → contest
6/10
(4) Jarman Impey: Had Conor McKenna deployed as a defensive forward on him for much of the night and lacked his usual damaging influence from half-back, although he worked desperately to shift momentum after half-time.
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he → deploy → time
A holding the ball call could haunt him forever.
uncertain
call → hold → him
Is this just about the best finals performance we have seen?
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we → see → ?
He was elite all game, first in his match-up with Ryan Lester, drawing him high up the ground and repeatedly beating him back towards goal, while kicking the opener with a classic soccer finish from Hawthorn’s first inside 50 and influencing centre clearances as the Harry Potter music fittingly rang out.
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music → draw → clearances
10/10
(6) James Sicily: Produced several important early spoils and intercept marks to steady Hawthorn, before Sam Mitchell’s inspired move to the wing and a courageous intercept mark running back with the flight underlined his influence.
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move → produce → influence
6/10
(10) Karl Amon: Quiet early before his precise ball use came to the fore in the second quarter, but he was unable to stem the influence of the Lions’ small forwards once momentum shifted after half-time.
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momentum → come → time
6/10
(12) Will Day: He impacted early with important tackles and showed composure with ball in hand, a very strong performance.
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He → impact → hand
(15) Blake Hardwick: Went searching for Charlie Cameron’s body too early in aerial contests, allowing him to get out the back and punish Hawthorn twice in the second quarter, while his decision-making looked unusually uncertain.
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making → go → quarter
He clearly won the ruck battle, consistently giving Hawthorn’s midfielders and forwards first look while remaining exceptionally clean at ground level, looking like an extra midfielder in a career-best performance.
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He → win → performance
9/10
(18) Mabior Chol: Had no impact in the first half and was beaten in several contests, then failed to provide the aerial presence Hawthorn desperately needed after the main break as the Lions’ defenders marked too easily.
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defenders → have → break
8/10
(23) Josh Weddle: Shifted to half-back when Sicily moved onto the wing in the second quarter and again served as Sam Mitchell’s versatile utility, influencing the game at both ends of the ground.
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Sicily → shift → ground
He got shifted forward in the last and had some big moments.
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He → shift → moments
Very clean early, he was Hawthorn’s best midfielder, maintaining a consistent contribution across all four quarters.
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he → maintain → quarters
He had some huge game defining clearances in the fourth quarter as the Hawks charged.
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Hawks → have → quarter
10/10
(28) Cam Mackenzie: He found plenty of space on the outside and collected nine disposals by half-time, but faded after the break.
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He → find → break
5/10
(33) Jack Ginnivan: Was uncharacteristically quiet on the big stage, but always tried to pressure and create havoc wherever he went.
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he → try → havoc
He had some great composure late when the game was on the line.
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game → have → line
5/10
(37) Tom Barrass: Positioned himself well behind the ball, winning several important early contests and providing a strong last line of defence.
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Barrass → position → defence
He took what could have proved to be the game-saving mark with two minutes to play.
uncertain
what → take → minutes
He had little influence as a small forward and struggled to become involved in the game.
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He → have → game
He offered limited run and carry and had little influence, aside from one strong first-half tackle and some strong aerial contests.
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He → offer → tackle
He did not have a touch in the first term, and it took until he won a contentious free kick late in the second term to have an impact, converting a set shot.
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he → have → shot
But his third term was match-turning, delivering three goals, including a stunning set shot from just inside the right boundary, as the Lions booted seven goals to one for the term.
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Lions → turn → term
The former Essendon ruckman didn’t have the best of games against the Crows last week, but was solid around the ground against Meek.
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ruckman → have → Meek
He botched a crucial set shot in the second term, but was active all evening.
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He → botch → term
The reliable defender struggled to regain his best form early in the season, but regained touch, and continued that here with 11 disposals to half-time.
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defender → struggle → time
The former West Coast captain was busy early, pushing up field to have an influence with four marks in the first term.
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captain → push → term
He did not take another, and will need to lift next week.
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He → take → another
That was the case when he went to Day and held the Hawks star to two touches in the first term, and six to the main break.
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he → go → break
While Day was more productive after the main break, Dunkley, who also spent time on Newcombe, won this battle.
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who → spend → battle
This was another superb performance from the hard-running midfielder and big-time finals performer, who slotted two goals when the contest was in the balance.
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contest → run → balance
He had another important kick in the third term.
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He → have → term
He still appeared to be nursing a calf issue, but finished with 23 disposals nonetheless.
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He → appear → disposals
The dynamic onballer, who missed last year’s grand final because of injury, struggled to get involved in the first half, held to only six touches on a wing.
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who → miss → wing
…and 34 more, not listed.
The Aporia
