Hawthorn thrashes St Kilda

Hawthorn will play in a dream Grand Final against Geelong next Saturday after thrashing St Kilda by 54 points in the second preliminary final at the MCG, but inspirational leader Luke Hodge is in some doubt of lining up after sustaining internal injuries tonight.

The Hawks' 18.10 (118) to 9.10 (64) victory gave retired St Kilda legend Robert Harvey a final game he will not want to remember, while Hodge's injury came as a result of a legitimate clash with Saints big man Justin Koschitzke at the end of the first term.

The incident caused Hodge - who finished with 24 touches and 11 marks - to cough up blood in the quarter-time huddle, and although he came back on at the start of the second term, he was back off again after being reduced to his knees following a marking contest.

St Kilda's Lenny Hayes then crashed into Hodge while he was down on his haunches prior to coming off, and then ironically, Hodge and Hayes returned to the field from interchange at the same time 15 minutes into the second term. Hawks fans booed Hayes and lauded Hodge.

Despite his undoubted courage to play most of the second half as well, Hodge could not possibly deemed a certain starter in the Grand Final before he has been checked thoroughly by medical experts tonight and no doubt during the week.

However, it is hard to imagine him not playing against the Cats given the complete lack of care he appears to have for his body in comparison to his passion for the brown and gold jumper he pulls over his head each week.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said after the match: "Hodgey's a tough bugger, he'll play unless he's in handcuffs". Clarkson also alleviated fears that star forward Lance Franklin had injured his wrist enough (he went off in the first term) to be in doubt for the Grand Final.

After a tight beginning to the contest, the Hawks pulled away from a bitterly disappointing St Kilda. Hawthorn led by 13 points at the first change, 47 at half-time after a seven-goal-to-one second term, and then may as well have brought the 'witches hats' out in the second half.

The Hawks kicked seven goals to six in a second half where the only incidents of genuine interest to anyone other than delirious Hawks fans were a Franklin screamer in the third term, which came after Mark Williams crashed into a Saint in a manner which could see some Match Review Panel scrutiny.

Williams booted five goals in this one, with Jarryd Roughead kicking four. Clinton Young and Cyril Rioli added two apiece while home-and-away centurion 'Buddy' managed just one goal on All Australian defender Max Hudghton who can hold his head high.

The massive win was set up in the middle, where skipper Sam Mitchell was dominant and Brad Sewell and Shane Crawford also had a big impact. Trent Croad's first half job to hold in-form Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt goal-less (Riewoldt kicked three garbage-time goals in the second half), was crucial.

For the Saints, few players could say they had any positive impact on a very dirty night. Harvey - who finished a career which yielded 382 games, two Brownlow Medals, four best and fairests but no premierships - finished with 17 disposals, six marks and two tackles.