1. Hawthorn secures top-four spot
After 23 rounds, the top four is finally set. By beating Collingwood by a single point, Hawthorn will launch its bid for a fourth-straight flag from third spot on the ladder and with the all-important double chance. Their first assignment will be a mouthwatering qualifying final against Geelong with the winner earning a week off and a home preliminary final. Adelaide's loss to West Coast has proven to be costly, with the Crows forced into a do-or-die elimination final against North Melbourne. It also means Greater Western Sydney's finals debut will be against their big brother in the Sydney Swans in the other qualifying final. West Coast and the Bulldogs will be the remaining elimination final.
2. A match for the ages
The Pies were brave, but fell just short. The Hawks were classy when it counted and calm and collected in the final minutes. The usual suspects stood up – Cyril Rioli was a constant threat throughout the match, Shaun Burgoyne struck an imposing figure across the ground, and Luke Hodge directed his troops like the seasoned general he is. The Hawks were three goals up at the 17-minute mark of the fourth quarter, and looked assured of a top-four spot, but the Pies were determined to go out with a bang. Goals to Ben Crocker, Travis Cloke, Jarryd Blair and Adam Treloar (a ripping snap shot from a stoppage) gave Collingwood a six-point lead, before Jack Fitzpatrick, earlier denied a free kick for an unrealistic attempt at a mark, kicked a goal from just inside the centre square to level the scores. A hurried snap from Paul Puopolo with a minute left proved to be the winner.
3. Hawthorn's ruck dilemma
There were questions coming into this match over the make-up of Hawthorn's ruck division, after Jonathon Ceglar tore his ACL against West Coast the week before. The news that Ben McEvoy was a late withdrawal with the unusual combination of back soreness and the birth of his first child meant the Hawks played the untested combination of Jack Fitzpatrick and Marc Pittonet. It was Fitzpatrick's first game for the Hawks after crossing from Melbourne in the off-season, and he started strongly, taking several marks in the forward 50 and kicking two goals. Pittonet was playing just his third match, and matched Brodie Grundy well in hit-outs, but struggled to compete with him in the air and around the ground.
4. One more time with feeling?
If this is the last we've seen of Travis Cloke in Collingwood colours, it was a classic Cloke game. There was a bit of everything – excellent marking, poor set-shot kicking from directly in front, hard running and tackling, and a goal from 30 metres to get the Pies within six points at the end of the last quarter. He also had a shot from the boundary line that he set up to the square, where Blair marked and goaled to draw Collingwood level. Cloke has now played 246 games for the Magpies, and on the strength of this match, has not lost the appetite for the contest.
5. Young Pies leading the way
Collingwood fans should go home happy after this match, as the future of the club stepped up to take on the reigning premiers. Jordan De Goey continued his impressive form up forward, kicking two goals in the first quarter, including a very nice set shot from outside 50. Ben Crocker showed good courage throughout, and also finished with three goals. Tom Phillips looked assured and ran hard, and while Brayden Maynard had a few hairy moments, his effort could not be questioned. It would be an understatement to say Adam Treloar (36 disposals) responded well after a statless first quarter, and Jack Crisp, Rupert Wills and Jonathon Marsh were also lively.
