Ok. Have held off long enough

[Triple B]

People have criticised ROK post game for not kicking to Mattner in the last couple of minutes....

The only person I have heard criticise ROK for that kick is ROK...

[Jewels]

I don't want to change one microsecond of the grand final. As I raved on about in past years, there is a space time continuum and if you change one thing you inexorably change the things that follow. People have criticised ROK post game for not kicking to Mattner in the last couple of minutes. Rewind the game and have him kick to Mattner, then who knows what follows ....... Change an umpiring decision and we reshuffle the cards. We won with the events that transpired, I for one wouldn't change a thing. People see the movie "Sliding Doors"?

Couldn't agree more.

[Reggi]

The only person I have heard criticise ROK for that kick is ROK...

.... And Bruce mcavaney and every other commentator

[crackedactor]

Dermie's opinion

Dermie was embarrassing to himself and Hawthorn in general when he carried on post GF on SEN....

Dermie is unbelievable in the stupid things he says: We had Richards on one leg, Mumford could barely move, Goodsy was hopping along rather than running, Lewis Jetta could barely run in the second half due to cramp and all Dermie had to say was " Hawthorn played poorly and the Swans played at their absolute best. Yeh Right!!!!! You W*****r.

[Big Al]

Ok. Have held off long enough

I just smile ever time I hear any Hawks supporter come up with any comment that smacks of jealousy. Suck it up princesses.

[Vonsteinman]

Can't say I've come across any of the vitriol or whinging from Hawthorn fans that I know. Although I have to say that they have all followed the club and sport passionately for the greater part of their lives - apart from some migrants who picked up the game on arrival to Melbourne - and they all have a great respect for the game.

Had the Swans lost, I would have been extremely disappointed but, like them, within a couple of days I would have been able to accept that the team had well and truly done its best and put itself in a position to win, which is as much as you can ask of your team.

I feel for you RWOers who have Hawks friends/acquaintances who see things differently, because I really enjoy dissecting the game with my Hawks mates as they give a good perspective on the day.

I dont feel for those of you out there who go chasing the negativity on other forums and fan sites, and then come on here and whinge about it. I prefer to keep watching the replay and re-reading some of the excellent post-match analysis online.

[wolftone57]

I wouldn't change the GF I just think the umpiring and the rules need to change back to the way they were several years ago to get a faster game again. I looked at the 2005 GF Saturday and the ball ups were done much faster and the game moved on much faster due to that. But as for the whinging and whining most of the Hawks supporters I have talked to are not whining at all as they believe we were the better team on the day. They will also point out that 'bad kicking is bad footy' and their failure to put the score on the board cost them dearly. I don't disagree with that. The ones i talked to also said we took our opportunities and they didn't and we deserved our great win. Most also believe that this was the greatest GF ever as a spectacle and for most Hawk supporters second only to 1989 (they will always believe that the best as they won that one).

[Swansongster]

I wouldn't change the GF I just think the umpiring and the rules need to change back to the way they were several years ago to get a faster game again. I looked at the 2005 GF Saturday and the ball ups were done much faster and the game moved on much faster due to that. But as for the whinging and whining most of the Hawks supporters I have talked to are not whining at all as they believe we were the better team on the day. They will also point out that 'bad kicking is bad footy' and their failure to put the score on the board cost them dearly. I don't disagree with that. The ones i talked to also said we took our opportunities and they didn't and we deserved our great win. Most also believe that this was the greatest GF ever as a spectacle and for most Hawk supporters second only to 1989 (they will always believe that the best as they won that one).

Very similar to my experience with Hawks fans but there was definitely an air of dismay among media commentary. Pretty unanimous from the media that the game was a cracker - one of the best ever grand finals - but many were making excuses for Hawthorn rather than lauding the Swans as the season's best team.

I am also amazed that the bookies (or punters to be exact) prefer other teams ahead of Sydney for the 2013 flag. Sure, we need to put a lot of things together to go back-to-back but so do all of the other leading contenders. That luck with injuries/form component applies to all at this stage of the reckoning.

By my humble analysis, we have improved our list, have a good draw, our younger players have plenty of improvement in them (and are wiser/walking taller from the 2012 campaign) and we have cover for the old blokes should their contributions wane.

If we can get 13-18 games (plus finals) out of Jude and Goodesy, I think we are a huge chance to do it all again and should be favourites.

I can't wait for the season to begin.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Can't say I've come across any of the vitriol or whinging from Hawthorn fans that I know. Although I have to say that they have all followed the club and sport passionately for the greater part of their lives - apart from some migrants who picked up the game on arrival to Melbourne - and they all have a great respect for the game.

Had the Swans lost, I would have been extremely disappointed but, like them, within a couple of days I would have been able to accept that the team had well and truly done its best and put itself in a position to win, which is as much as you can ask of your team.

I feel for you RWOers who have Hawks friends/acquaintances who see things differently, because I really enjoy dissecting the game with my Hawks mates as they give a good perspective on the day.

I dont feel for those of you out there who go chasing the negativity on other forums and fan sites, and then come on here and whinge about it. I prefer to keep watching the replay and re-reading some of the excellent post-match analysis online.

I wish RWO had a like feature.

[Nolie]

I heard Dermie on SEN post week grand final say "yeah, if the hawks hadn't gone to sleep in that second quarter they would have won by 8 goals"...now there is a so-called expert opinion! The second quarter went for approx 30 mins...in my opinion the hawks only dominated us for 5 mins late 1st qtr and for about 8 mins late 3rd qtr and a further 2 mins early last quarter. You do the math!

...also, friends of mine mentioned about how unlucky the hawks were getting one day less rest before the GF (yes, all supporters of melbourne teams...pies, dons, tigers). I quickly mentioned...what would you rather have, an extra days rest or play the GF on your home ground? They all said...never thought of that!

If it was not for the absolute crap free kick that was given to Hale - at the boundary throw in - where he was not even touched (allegedly Pyke infringed) - and from which he kicked a goal which then gave Hawthorn some momentum it is highly questionable whether they would have made much inroad at all in that third quarter. so pfft to you Dermie and your 8 goals. Another timely gift to Hawthorn. Again as someone said here the umps not wanting to get the blame for the red hot favourites losing .

[Doctor]

If it was not for the absolute crap free kick that was given to Hale - at the boundary throw in - where he was not even touched (allegedly Pyke infringed) - and from which he kicked a goal which then gave Hawthorn some momentum it is highly questionable whether they would have made much inroad at all in that third quarter. so pfft to you Dermie and your 8 goals. Another timely gift to Hawthorn. Again as someone said here the umps not wanting to get the blame for the red hot favourites losing .

Nailed it Nolie. That was a lousy free kick call and it was THE big momentum-turner for the Hawks. Hale did the job and kicked a great goal but it was never a free kick.

[Nico]

In the first half of the game umpire number 9 seemed to give Hawthorn the majority of their frees.