AFL Grand Final 2014

Sydney pinched Hawthorn's best player, but the Hawks stole their playbook and claimed the cup. 

Sydney were out-Sydneyed, shellshocked, brutalised and eventually beaten to a pulp by a Hawthorn side which has overcome injury to key players, illness to their coach and one of the most stunning recruiting coups the game has seen to win back-to-back premierships.

The result was as unpredictable as the manner in which the punishment was meted out. The Swans are supposed to be the team which stalks their prey, wears them out before going for the jugular, but the roles were reversed.

They were the hunted, and they were mauled mercilessly. The Hawks took every opportunity they could to sink their talons into their stricken opponent.

Lance Franklin, resoundingly jeered by the Hawthorn faithful, was given special treatment. Luke Hodge gave him a kiss, but his teammates chose more violent means of retribution.

He was made to earn his first mark inside 50 by Lake, who planted his elbow in the back of Franklin's head. When the game was in its death throes, his best mate Josh Gibson could not resist driving him into the ground. Franklin sprayed it out on the full.

Franklin, however, could hold his head high, even if he may have spent Saturday night wondering what could have been had he stayed at Hawthorn.

He could not be faulted, making the most of limited opportunities to finish with four goals.

After a string of keenly fought grand finals, this was a fizzer. As a contest, this game was over midway through the second term, the ensuing two hours as humiliating for anyone decked in red and white as it would have been enjoyable for Hawks fans.

Sydney pinched Hawthorn's best player, but the Hawks stole their playbook and claimed the cup. 

Sydney were out-Sydneyed, shellshocked, brutalised and eventually beaten to a pulp by a Hawthorn side which has overcome injury to key players, illness to their coach and one of the most stunning recruiting coups the game has seen to win back-to-back premierships.

The result was as unpredictable as the manner in which the punishment was meted out. The Swans are supposed to be the team which stalks their prey, wears them out before going for the jugular, but the roles were reversed.

They were the hunted, and they were mauled mercilessly. The Hawks took every opportunity they could to sink their talons into their stricken opponent.

Lance Franklin, resoundingly jeered by the Hawthorn faithful, was given special treatment. Luke Hodge gave him a kiss, but his teammates chose more violent means of retribution.

He was made to earn his first mark inside 50 by Lake, who planted his elbow in the back of Franklin's head. When the game was in its death throes, his best mate Josh Gibson could not resist driving him into the ground. Franklin sprayed it out on the full.

Franklin, however, could hold his head high, even if he may have spent Saturday night wondering what could have been had he stayed at Hawthorn.

He could not be faulted, making the most of limited opportunities to finish with four goals.

After a string of keenly fought grand finals, this was a fizzer. As a contest, this game was over midway through the second term, the ensuing two hours as humiliating for anyone decked in red and white as it would have been enjoyable for Hawks fans.