Hawks steamroll Suns in Stratton, Puopolo farewell
Ben Stratton marked his final game by ending a goal drought that stretched back to 2010, leading Hawthorn to their first win in seven games and leaving coach Alastair Clarkson in hysterics on the bench.
Stratton hovered around the 50 metre line to try and snag a final game goal, as retiring Blue Kade Simpson had done the night before but deep into the final term it seemed as though it wasn't to be.
Ben Stratton leads the Hawks out in his final game.Credit:Getty Images
However Clarkson threw Stratton forward with just over six minutes to play in the final term and he parked himself in the goal square.
It worked straight away. Paul Puopolo found Jack Gunston 30 metres out directly in front with a chance to kick his 400th career goal and go clear at second in the Coleman Medal race.
Instead Gunston kicked to Stratton on a short lead and the captain converted the set shot from directly in front, his Hawks teammates coming from everywhere to swarm him.
On the bench Clarkson joked they should move him back but he relented, and Stratton joked his teammates should clear the 50 for him.
It was his second goal of his career, his only other coming in round 17, 2010 in his 17th game.
Puopolo, in his 19th and final game, played the greatest hits in front of family at the Adelaide Oval.
He dribbled a goal from the pocket early in the first quarter, belied his diminutive stature to out-mark taller opponents moments later and in the third term used his trademark pressure to earn a holding-the-ball free kick.
Stratton latched onto the back of a Suns defender in the second quarter too and wrapped him up with a tenacious tackle.
It wasn't exactly like his tackle on Patrick Dangerfield in the final quarter of the 2012 preliminary final, but it would have jogged the memory of Hawks fans who've cherished his career.
Outside of the retiring triple-premiership players there was a lot to like for the Hawks.
Where has this Hawthorn side been the last seven games?
Paul Puopolo celebrates a goal with Dylan Moore.Credit:Getty Images
Perhaps it was added impetus from the retiring Puopolo and Stratton, or the fact the Gold Coast have fallen into a heap to end the season.
Whatever it was, Clarkson's side looked rejuvenated, kicking with a long lost precision and running hard and smart in defence and attack.
Will Day was again impressive, as were Dylan Moore and Damon Greaves. Harry Morrison and Jack Scrimshaw also contributed.
If players such as that quartet can continue to improve and support the likes of Tom Mitchell, Jack Gunston, Jaeger O'Meara, James Worpel, James Sicily, Jarman Impey and Luke Breust, maybe the Hawks' time in the wilderness won't be as long as some thought.
Hawks fans will also hope the club finally uses its high draft pick this year and nails its selection to add to their emerging group.
Gunston made a late push for All-Australian selection on Sunday. His four goal effort was a forward-play masterclass, equal in its proficiency in marking, running, crumbing, snapping and set-shot kicking.
Stratton and Puopolo are chaired off after their final game.Credit:Getty Images
The less said about the Suns' effort in the game, the better.
They've only won two more games than 2019 but their percentage – although it took a hit on Sunday – is much stronger and therefore an important improvement.
But some of their performances to end this season, highlighted by the way they played against Hawthorn, were dismal.
A similar output in 2021 won't be tolerated as kindly.
On top of that improved percentage the Suns' ball movement has skyrocketed this season, as has the consistency of their line-up (10 players played every game) and recruits such as Hugh Greenwood, Brandon Ellis, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell were all significant successes.
HAWTHORN 7.1 9.3 13.6 17.6 (108)
GOLD COAST 1.1 3.5 5.5 8.9 (57)
GOALS Hawthorn: Gunston 4, Puopolo 3, Breust 2, Lewis 2, O'Brien 2, Stratton, Shiels, Burgoyne, Moore. Gold Coast: Sexton 3, Greenwood, King, Day, Rankine, Farrar.
BEST Hawthorn: Gunston, Puopolo, Mitchell, Moore, Cousens, Shiels. Gold Coast: Swallow, Anderson, Miller.
UMPIRES Stephens, Heffernan, Glouftsis
VENUE Adelaide Oval