Mark Thompson objected to a journalists' question as to whether Geelong would actively target Luke Hodge physically in an attempt to unsettle the 'injured' Hawk. Mark Thompson, no doubt keen to distance himself from the physical 1989 Grand Final, responded with "is that the kind of coach I look like to you?". Thompson insisted that every Hawthorn player will receive the same attention from the star studded Geelong line-up.

Fans can expect a physical match on Saturday, with Hodge and Sewell inviting physical attention form the Cats in a video interview yesterday, but let's hope we see nothing like the brutal 1989 Grand Final from either side. 

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It has been a long time coming for Hawks fans. 1991; Hawhtorn vs West Coast. That was the last time the Hawthorn football club has appeared in a Grand Final. It was also a game we won.

Last night the Hawks showed they were made of the right stuff. A certain strength and self belief that they can take it up to Geelong, and will die trying to win a premiership that fans and players have been longing for, for such a long time. 

Last night's match was a little different to matches we have been used to seeing all season. For one, the Hawks actively looked for options beyond Buddy Franklin, who had a quite game and kicked one goal, and shared the responsibility in the forward line. 

Mark Williams who has been waiting to bust out this season did just that for the Hawks  last night, kicking 5 goals 4; the Hawks' leading goal kicker for the night. He probably should have convereted another 2, but you can excuse him for being a little nervous. 

Simon Taylor is going to find it very hard to find a place in the team next Saturday with young Renouf and Robbie Campbell really helping the Hawks midfield dominate the saints for the entire match. Chance Bateman was outstanding! He played a tagging role and completely shut down his oppoent. 

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Saturday night sees the Hawks take on the Saints in the second preliminary final of the 2008 AFL season. The winner of this match will face either Geelong or the Western Bulldogs in the Grand Final next weekend. 

In recent times the Saints have had the wood over the Hawks, with Hawthorn only winning one of their last seven games against the club. Most recently the Hawks lost from a commanding half time position earlier this year to eventually lose by 5 goals. 

Historically, the Hawks have seemed to struggle against the St Kilda tall forwards, but this time, rather than focusing on shutting down the tall men in defence, the hawks will focus on preventing delivery. Size doesn't help when the ball doesn't make it inside 50.

Expect Hodge to play a sweeping defensve role early in the match as well as some fierce body contact in the middle of the ground. Guerra was brutal in the match against the Bulldogs and should continue to put physical pressure on his opponents this weekend. 

The Hawks certainly have the firepower to shut down the Saints, but will need to be accurate to guarantee a win this weekend. Of course I'm tipping the Hawks to win this one; the Hawks by 20.

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Hawthorn on-baller Chance Bateman threw a scare through the Hawks' camp on Tuesday when he rolled an ankle at training. The important runner went over on his ankle early in the session and did not re-emerge from the rooms to complete the run.

While it looked ominous, skipper Sam Mitchell was confident Bateman would be fit to play against St Kilda on Saturday night. "I think he will be okay. He rolled his ankle, came off and had it re-strapped, and there is no point going back out there and re-aggravating it," Mitchell said from the club's Waverley headquarters.

"He will be assessed over the next couple of days, but I think he'll be okay. "He started the session and then just went over on the ankle a little bit, but he'll be ok I think."

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