Overview

• Geelong defeated Hawthorn by 30 points at the MCG to book a grand final berth, powered by Patrick Dangerfield’s 32 disposals, eight clearances and three goals.
• Tom Stewart was concussed in the first quarter and subbed out, ruling the vice-captain out of the grand final under the AFL’s mandatory 12-day protocol.
• Hawthorn’s Mabior Chol received a three-match rough-conduct suspension for the tackle, graded as careless conduct with severe impact and high contact by the MRO.
• Coach Chris Scott called Stewart’s absence a shattering outcome and flagged potential changes such as shifting Mark Blicavs to defence and considering a recall for ruckman Rhys Stanley.
• Calls to move the pre-finals bye to the week before the grand final intensified, with AFL football boss Greg Swann previously signalling support for the change.