As for Hawthorn, 5 Grand Finals in 8 years. There's something very, very wrong with the state of the game if AFL HQ actually have the gall to come out and say "the competition has never been more even!" at any point in the next 6 months.

10 - 15 years ago Hawthorn were down the bottom and didn't have many fans. Now they are possibly the best side ever and have a massive membership. They show that it can turn around relatively quickly and that measures such as the draft and salary cap are working. Do we really think that every team should win 11 games every year? I think we should focus on making Melbourne the next Hawthorn rather than whinging about why the AFL isn't helping us even more.

10 - 15 years ago Hawthorn were down the bottom and didn't have many fans. Now they are possibly the best side ever and have a massive membership. They show that it can turn around relatively quickly and that measures such as the draft and salary cap are working. Do we really think that every team should win 11 games every year? I think we should focus on making Melbourne the next Hawthorn rather than whinging about why the AFL isn't helping us even more.

Hawthorn have had a huge supporter base that just needed to be tapped and they did it.

Don't undersell the value of their premierships in the 70's & 80's to their current membership.

The draft and salary cap had less to do with their rise than some good work from Ian Dicker to unite the club and tap the fan base, some good decisions such as the Clarkson one, some luck with getting a PP in a good draft, some poor decisions at Freo.

...and probably the big 2 ones in helping them stay on top; the introduction of the new clubs and their draft concessions coinciding with Free Agency.

10 - 15 years ago Hawthorn were down the bottom and didn't have many fans. Now they are possibly the best side ever and have a massive membership. They show that it can turn around relatively quickly and that measures such as the draft and salary cap are working. Do we really think that every team should win 11 games every year? I think we should focus on making Melbourne the next Hawthorn rather than whinging about why the AFL isn't helping us even more.

Hawthorns massive membership is from their domination of the 80's.

All those little kids that climbed onto the top side then are buying memberships now.

No way will we become the next Hawthorn.

Not unless we dominate for the next decade and even then we'll need to wait 15 years after that.

But then they would've surged again on the wave of kids climbing onto them now.

If the afl is wondering why fan interest is dropping off it might have something to do with the last 19 gf spots being filled by 8 clubs. 20 if wce win tomorrow.

It might have something to do with [censored] umpiring at critical times

It might have something to do with [censored] music ads and announcers

Roughead for a priority pick has probably helped them.

If the afl is wondering why fan interest is dropping off it might have something to do with the last 19 gf spots being filled by 8 clubs. 20 if wce win tomorrow.

It might have something to do with [censored] umpiring at critical times

It might have something to do with [censored] music ads and announcers

You forgot the [censored] broadcasters and [censored] commentators. The commentary desk needed to be replaced tonight after Bruce had an... accident ... during one of Cyril's goals.

oh look, Hawthorn are in the Granny again

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I'm sure this has been mentioned, but think it deserves a re-mention. Another failed attempt by Ross Lyon. His teams always stumble near the final hurdle. He'll never win a flag. I like it.

I'm sure this has been mentioned, but think it deserves a re-mention. Another failed attempt by Ross Lyon. His teams always stumble near the final hurdle. He'll never win a flag. I like it.

It's the only amusement I took away from tonight's result.

For all the woe we've suffered, at least Ross Lyon isn't trying to get us a premiership. A futile exercise.

It's the only amusement I took away from tonight's result.

For all the woe we've suffered, at least Ross Lyon isn't trying to get us a premiership. A futile exercise.

So really we should be thanking him for going behind his manager's back, shouldn't we.

Freo will intensify their efforts to get Hogan and Cripps. Their window is closing quickly...

Freo will intensify their efforts to get Hogan and Cripps. Their window is closing quickly...

I just wonder if they'll go after a new coach. Would there be doubts at board level about Lyon's ability to pull their team into a Grand Final and actually win one?

Freo will intensify their efforts to get Hogan and Cripps. Their window is closing quickly...

They won't have a chance to get Hogan until at least the end of 2017, by which point I think their window will be well and truly closed. That , combined with our window hopefully being open by then, will hopefully make them a far less attractive destination for him.

They won't have a chance to get Hogan until at least the end of 2017, by which point I think their window will be well and truly closed. That , combined with our window hopefully being open by then, will hopefully make them a far less attractive destination for him.

Havent had a close look at their list but hopefully Lyon has left it in similair shape to how he left St Kildas

I just wonder if they'll go after a new coach. Would there be doubts at board level about Lyon's ability to pull their team into a Grand Final and actually win one?

You'd certainly have to question his modus operandi....took Williams a few years to win a flag with Port.

Griffiths 'tunnel ball ' moment celebrating a goal as it shanked into the post . lol

The Hawks stride into another GF.

What a team reminds me of a mob from a by gone era.

Everything the MFC should be.

10 - 15 years ago Hawthorn were down the bottom and didn't have many fans. Now they are possibly the best side ever and have a massive membership. They show that it can turn around relatively quickly and that measures such as the draft and salary cap are working. Do we really think that every team should win 11 games every year? I think we should focus on making Melbourne the next Hawthorn rather than whinging about why the AFL isn't helping us even more.

Spot on Ricky P

Hopefully, the Hawke will feel the effects of 3 trips to Perth in 6 weeks and a fairly tough match last night.

Also, Hodge will be sore and as will Birchell after going into the fence.

This will give WCE a huge advantage next week.

Very mean spirited of me but I would like the Hawks to really hurt, emotionally that is, and would be very happy if WCE thrash them!

If by some miracle North get to GF I will find something else to do next Saturday.

A Hawks Roos playoff will be just too painful to bear.

Hawthorn produced an absolutely clinical display of football. Watching it reminded me of how different a stratosphere it is that the Melbourne team occupies at the present time (fortunately we're not alone and at least we appear to be on our way up).

On the other hand, while Fremantle did well to remain in the game for so long, the cracks in their makeup were exposed. The Ross Lyons defensive style is inadequate when confronted by the Hawks in full flight with their running and pin point accuracy. Nat Fyfe was gallant and played a great game despite his physical limitations on the night but the Dockers had too many passengers and with Pavlich, McPharlin, possibly Johnson and a couple of others on the way out, they might have missed the boat.

The Hawthorn dynasty could go on for a while because it's not only Freo but a couple of others like the Swans and the Cats who could fall down the pecking order leaving room for others to fill the void.

As the eternal optimist, I think we might be only one or two seasons of good recruiting and development away from pushing our way in to top 8 contention.

so hope either north or eagles beat hawkes next week

Does anybody here think that North stand a chance?

so hope either north or eagles beat hawkes next week

I don't !

Does anybody here think that North stand a chance?

Yep all Vic GF coming up.

Not sure why people are going on about frawley. Sure I was annoyed when he left, but thats what FA is all about about. Players choosing to leave to get a better opportunity. Brian Lake is now going for his 3rd successive premiership. Now Chip is going to play in his first ever GF. Good on him, his ex teammates will be very jealous and wish it was them. I dont blame chip. I know which position id rather be in.

Geez it must feel good to be a hawks fan. One day I hope to be this excited.

The other thing is Ross Lyon will now go even harder for another forward and will have Hogan in his sights. Hopefully they can get someone in this years trade period.

This is why people never rated Freo. They just cant score goals. They would be the only team to finish 2 games clear on top and come into a prelim fresh after a week off and not go in as favourites. I think Ross has a few questions to answer.

sorry - not sure how to highlight a particular quote on iPad, but I wanted to take issue with your saying that that's what FA is all about. What it's all about is solidifying the power of the clubs who were at the top when it came in. Which, given that we weren't one of them, is terrible for us, and for any concept of equalisation.

It's all very well to say "one day I hope to be this excited." The way the afl is these days, chances are you never will feel that excited. I've been hoping that for fifty years now - just can't see it happening. The big powers too entrenched, even more so now that it's a business and not a community sport.