The Serve

Buddy knocks out Crows

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Craig: I gifted Ricciuto his spot

Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin has kicked a goal on the final siren to save Hawthorn’s season and end the career of Adelaide’s Mark Ricciuto, winning 15.15.105 to 15.12.102 in a pulsating elimination final at Telstra Dome.

Adelaide made a furious start, pouncing on the nervous Hawks to set up an early three goal lead. The lead was 19 at quarter time, 15 at the major break. Franklin had four goals by half time, three of them kicked in a five minute patch.

The Hawks run was decisive in third term, however Adelaide kept finding ways to keep their heads above water. The Crows led by 14 at the final change.

Shane Crawford’s only goal within two minutes of the last term was the catalyst for Hawthorn. When Franklin kicked his sixth goal on 14 minutes, the Hawks had the lead for the first time in the match.

The Hawks then botched opportunities to put the Crows out of range, subsequently paying dearly when Scott Welsh leveled the scores at 96-96. Two Hawthorn behinds and a Jason Torney goal later, and Adelaide were back in front and on track for a famous victory.

Jarryd Roughead finished with three goals but missed a sitter in front of goal in what appeared to be the fatal blow. However, with the match appeared gone, the Hawks advanced in the final moments, with Franklin marking on the 50m arc. He pounded home the goal, not dissimilar to Jonathan Brown’s match saving bomb against Sydney in round 20.

This kick though was far more significant, taking the Hawks to within two wins of the grand final.

“Hawthorn were all over us in the second half. The character we showed was tremendous,” Crows veteran Simon Goodwin told Triple M.

The match provided a sad exit for 312 gamer Ricciuto, who was ineffective in his final appearance.

“A fair few tears. It wasn’t his day today. In the second half he just couldn’t go a yard,” Goodwin said.

While Franklin is the hero, the effort of star midfielder Luke Hodge cannot be underestimated. Hodge appeared to sustain a severe leg injury, however he came back on to provide 25 touches in total.