Player Ratings: Fremantle

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FREMANTLE midfielder Nathan Fyfe starred while Hayden Ballantyne had a stinker. We give every Docker a mark out of 100.

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NICK SUBAN - 46
Obviously has the WWE series linked at home given his bizarre fish-hook gouge on Mitchell in the first term. That was ordinary, much like his game. Missed an easy shot on the run from 45m.

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MATT DE BOER - 50
Like vanilla ice cream, he was just OK. Showed terrific poise with first touch to create Freo's first shot at goal. Just a participant after that.

HAYDEN BALLANTYNE - 34
Copped an overdose of his own medicine, with the game's chief rattler, rattled. Dropped a sitter 30m out, slipped in the middle of the ground when Freo were away and didn't score from from 40m and 30m with set shots. Didn't handle pressure.

TENDAI MZUNGU - 75
Kicking the Dockers opening goal in the second quarter and never gave up the fight. Not recognised as one of the club's biggest names but he can hold his head high after Saturday's performance.

ZAC DAWSON - 38
Just ugly. Bullied by Gunston in first half to such an extent Ross Lyon's anger bubbled over before half time. Repeatedly outbodied; this was the player who left Hawthorn, not the new and improved version.

Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne is rag-dolled off the play. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: HeraldSun

NATHAN FYFE - 83
Inspirational. Carried his side when the chips were down in the first half with 18 touches and only a lack of polish stopped him from completely owning this contest. Ran out of puff, but hard to blame him. Did all he could.

DANYLE PEARCE - 48
Butchered it more than those Indonesian abbatoirs. Normally so composed, he shanked running shots ands dropped easy marks. Won points back for running back with flight with supreme guts in the second term when he was poleaxed by Birchall.

MICHAEL WALTERS - 59
Slower to get going than the half-time entertainment and that's saying something. Got Guerra and got well beaten. Kicked two big goals in the third quarter to give the Dockers a chance, but was otherwise anonymous.

MICHAEL JOHNSON - 63
Dogged by a calf injury in lead-in and kicked like it too. Usual precise foot skills abandoned him on big stage. Better defensively helping keep Hawthorn forwards to 11 goals for game.

LEE SPURR - 45
A bit like the two-year old jar of your nanna's relish that sits in the back of your fridge all summer. Hard to identify but was OK keeping Rioli to one goal. Limped through second half. Unsung hero for Freo, just not on Saturday.

Dockers forward Michael Walters stretches out in an attempt to stop Hawk Ben Stratton. Picture: Michael Klein Source: HeraldSun

DAVID MUNDY - 85
Undies were being ripped off everywhere in Freo loungerooms as he led a procession around the stoppages in the third term. Lifted enormously winning hard ball. Had the better of Brad Sewell.

CAMERON SUTCLIFFE - 30
Turned the screws on Hawthorn's small forwards but offered little offensive. Will appear in the highlights albeit when was on the end of a superb don't argue from Gunston.

ZAC CLARKE - 35
Provided the game's only real 'turtle head' moment when he ducked in a contest in the second term. Bit overawed and largely ineffective. At least he kept Pav happy with a Joe the goose handball in the goalsquare in third.   

AARON SANDILANDS - 63
Had more taps than a bathroom decorator but it meant stuff-all when he hit it straight to Luke Breust for the decisive last quarter goal. Tallest bloke since Lurch could only manage one mark.

LUKE MCPHARLIN - 65
Decent performance manning Lance Franklin but turned the ball over on the rebound. Should have taken responsibility kicking a goal after long run down the wing in second term. Skipper not happy.

RYAN CROWLEY - 81
Should post a signed pair of his sweatbands to the All-Australian selectors after shutting down the opposition's biggest danger man, Sam Mitchell, for the umpteenth time.

Sam Mitchell lays a big tackle on Docker Ryan Crowley. Picture: Michael Klein Source: HeraldSun

CHRIS MAYNE - 43
Down day for the bloke who loomed as the difference maker in the Freo forward line. Attacked the contest off the back of the square like mad man in third term but was otherwise blanketed by Josh Gibson, mainly.

MATTHEW PAVLICH - 54
Not a lot of 'wharfie time' from the skipper. Came to life in third term but stinker of a first half will haunt the greatest figure in Dockers' history. Missed set shot from 35m out in second quarter a howler. 

MICHAEL BARLOW - 68
Built up a lot of credits in enormous season but the thing that kept him in the VFL all those years – average foot skills – cost him on the big stage. Hauled Freo off canvas in third but half his touches went down the drain.

LACHIE NEALE - 45
Tried to spark the Dockers coming off the bench as the substitute with seven touches but unenviable task when the game looked gone. One to watch for all the SuperCoaches next season.

STEPHEN HILL - 68
Won't want to rekindle September memories sitting across from his brother, Brad, at Christmas lunch. Put head over the ball but butchered it by foot early, sapping confidence.

PAUL DUFFIELD - 67
A better defender than what many will give him credit for. Only gave up one goal to Jack Gunston in the second half but was invisible offensively.  Didn't win the loose ball or hit up teammates on the wing like normal. Some big tackles, including a huge hit on Ben Stratton, helped his cause.

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Player Ratings: Hawthorn

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HAWTHORN defender Brian Lake was best on, Isaac Smith provided a spark late while Luke Hodge was at his inspirational best. We give every Hawks a mark out of 100.

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LANCE FRANKLIN - 69
A second flag, but how long until his first falafel in Sydney's west? Smashed Crowley twice early and then got down to business. No highlights - just a solid contributor.

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BEN STRATTON - 72
More serene than a rural day spa in a first half in which he did what he liked. Only one brain fart in the third term when he tried to take on the world and turned it over. Late chase down of Crowley epitomised result.

LIAM SHIELS - 62
Started on the bench, but played his role on Stephen Hill when he came on. Did his bit, used it well and tackled particularly well.

PAUL PUOPOLO - 61
The small man who delivered a small performance. Saved one of his least influential game's for last, but still pressured like a maniac which has to be admired.

JONATHAN SIMPKIN - 30
Subbed on at three quarter-time for Bailey for a second premiership in seven days. Not bad for a three-club journeyman.

Hawk Cyril Rioli wraps up Docker Michael Barlow in a chicken wing-style tackle. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: HeraldSun

CYRIL RIOLI - 77
Memories of 2008. Tackled, tackled and tackled again. The man who admitted he froze in last year's GF stopped the Dockers in their tracks. No silk, but his blue-collar work generated several critical Hawk goals. Clever.

MAX BAILEY - 50
Anihilated in the hitouts, as expected. But he managed to break even with Sandilands and Clarke around the ground, which was crucial. Subbed at three quarter-time and not his greatest performance, but will he give a stuff? No.

JARRYD ROUGHEAD - 71
Couldn't have got a kick in a streetfight in first half when beaten at both ends. But two key goals in third term steadied Hawks and he was mighty in the final term.

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JORDAN LEWIS - 80
Went almost unnoticed early, but his numbers and damage in packs were enormous. Will at the contest and ability to stop Dockers' flow in packs was huge – and deadly.

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SAM MITCHELL - 51
Modelled the latest range of full-body Crowley leggings and couldn't exert his normal influence. Dangerous in space, but it was as rare as Christmas Day snow in Alice Springs.

JOSH GIBSON - 69
One of the best in first half and his composure was exemplary. Battled to keep pace with Pavlich when he exploded in third term, but maintained uncanny knack to be effective third man up.

SHAUN BURGOYNE - 62
Dockers tried to expose him in air against taller opponents, but he was good on the burst. Great defensive pressure on Pearce and Ballantyne and rarely misused it.

BRADLEY HILL - 61
Won cup and bragging rights at next family lunch after having better of his big brother when they crossed paths. Amazing awareness for second-year player.

BRAD SEWELL - 59
As rough and tough as hessian undies. At foot of every pack, but didn't slice Dockers when he got his hands on it. His normal exit routes were blocked and with it his impact.

GRANT BIRCHALL - 84
So much for the outside player some have criticised him for being. Still damaging on outside, but didn't mind mixing it when he had to. Huge numbers at halfback in first half.

LUKE HODGE - 80
Just like Chickenman, the skipper was everywhere. Stood on Zac Clarke at fullback, mixed it in the middle and along with Lake was impenetrable in final term.

Hawk Isaac Smith celebrates a long goal in the second half. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: HeraldSun

ISAAC SMITH - 65
Made amends for shocking miss in first term with massive goal at key time from downtown. Wasn't his best game, but had some really important touches in last term.

BRIAN LAKE - 89
Like Stuart Dew before him in 2008, proved his mettle on the biggest stage to win the hearts of his new club. About as far removed as possible from the Portsea polo.

JACK GUNSTON - 88
Best game ever. Might have led Norm Smith at halftime. Smashed Dockers on lead; wrestled like an MMA warrior and his field kicking was absolutely sublime. Only goalkicking blemish an audacious banana attempt.

DAVID HALE - 61
Like a heart surgeon in an emergency ward, did his best work to keep the team alive when it was most needed. Unsung hero throughout finals and did a lot of little things that won't be on stats sheet. 

LUKE BREUST - 64
Flat first term, but became dangerous as game progressed. Made his name by kicking goals, but made his GF impact by doing team things. Even split a pack wide open when inspired.

BRENT GUERRA - 58
Did some nice things across half-back. Several telling marks in the second half snuffed out Fremantle's attacking forays and helped create counter-attacking opportunities for Hawthorn.

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Hawks hope triumph convinces Buddy

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HAWTHORN defender Josh Gibson hopes Saturday's premiership is the miracle that keeps his best mate Lance Franklin at the club.

The club is bracing for the superstar forward to officially tell club chiefs within 48 hours he will accept a mega $12 million six-year offer to join Greater Western Sydney.

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Franklin was highly emotional in a Fox Footy interview after the game with Hawks great Dermott Brereton, perhaps indicating this was his Hawthorn farewell.

''Words can't explain it. It is an unbelievable experience. I can't explain it. My family has been a massive part of my life,'' he said.

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Franklin said he would spend the next couple of days partying with his premiership teammates before sitting down with his manager Liam Pickering to determine where he played next season.

''I'll sit down with my manager on Monday or Tuesday after I've finished having a party with the boys and work out what I'm going to do,'' Franklin said after the match.

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But while most Hawthorn senior figures have given up hope he will stay, Gibson believes there is a slim chance.

Gibson said a Franklin departure would leave "a massive hole" but backed the spread of Hawthorn goalkickers to continue to flourish in their premiership defence next year.

Gibson, who joined Waverley from North Melbourne, said he would finally talk with Franklin about the agonising decision once flag celebrations had settled.

"If he leaves I've got no bad blood, I love the bloke, everyone knows that," Gibson told the Sunday Herald Sun.

"We'll just go and celebrate this time and hopefully that premiership medal around his neck today helps convince him to stay at Hawthorn

"It is a tough decision but we haven't spoken about it. Maybe we will now that the season is over.

"If he leaves, which I hope doesn't happen, then other guys can step up. But it's going to be a massive whole to fill because he's a champion of the game.

"We've shown that we can still play good footy without him because there's a lot of dangerous forwards down there. That's what we've wanted to do – share the load."

Franklin's tears during his post-match interview were assessed by some as him coming to grips with the move north.

Asked if winning another premiership at Hawthorn made it any easier for him to leave, he replied: ''No, not at all. I wouldn't say it's any easier to leave. The Hawthorn Football Club's been a massive part of my life and my career and made me the person I am today, so I absolutely love the club to death.''

But while he could stay, the second premiership allows him to leave on his own terms if he wants to given he has given such long service to the club.

His manager Pickering confirmed this morning he had met with GWS chief executive Dave Matthews as well as Hawks list manager Graeme Wright this week.

It means he has the exact details of both offers facing Franklin, with Hawthorn's offer potentially over $6 million less than the GWS offer.

Hawthorn's  best offer is five years and around $5.5 million, while GWS can offer him $12 million over six years if he accepts AFL promotional funds.

Most in football - including key Hawthorn figures - have long given up hope Franklin will stay given the scope of the Hawks offer.

But former captain Shane Crawford is one who believes he will never sign up to a GWS deal with days each week of promotion to earn a massive AFL salary too.

Crawford confirmed this week Franklin had this year given  back a luxury car worth over $100,000 to a company because they required him to do several days promotional work.

Franklin had 18 disposals and kicked the second goal of the match to play his part in the Hawks' 15-point victory.

Hawthorn will ask for a decision early in the week to allow them as much planning time given free agency starts on Friday.

Picking had suggested a Wednesday timeline but the Hawks must quickly move on to plan to use the massive salary cap hole if he leaves.

The Hawks have worked hard on a plan for life without Franklin, which could involve luring players including Dale Thomas,  Shane Mumford and 20-year-old Lions ruckman Billy Longer.

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Chooks run riot over weary Knights

The Roosters celebrate a Michael Jennings try. Source: Mark Evans / DailyTelegraph

THE fairytale run of Wayne Bennett's Knights has mercilessly been put to an end by the Sydney Roosters after a stunning attacking display from the Bondi boys.

7 Tries 2
Daniel Tupou 31'	Joseph Leilua 66'
Michael Jennings 34'	Joseph Leilua 68'
Aidan Guerra 48'
Michael Jennings 52'
Mitchell Aubusson 57'
Jake Friend 61'
Aidan Guerra 80'
5 Conversions 1
James Maloney 35'	Tyrone Roberts 69'
James Maloney 49'
James Maloney 54'
James Maloney 58'
James Maloney 80'
1 Penalties 2
James Maloney 8'	Tyrone Roberts 26'
	Tyrone Roberts 40'

While they've built their season on fortress-like defence, it was the flamboyant attacking play of Trent Robinson's Roosters that set them on their way to the Grand Final on Saturday night.

With Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney steering the ship expertly, outside backs Michael Jennings and Daniel Tupou set-up the victory with some magical tries - the floodgates opening in the second half.

The post-script will mainly be left for the Roosters and their glamour Grand Final with a champion Manly side but a thought should be spared for champion hooker Danny Buderus.

The former NSW and Kangaroos rake was left flat on his back by a legal hit from Jared Waerea-Hargreaves early in the first half, and had to be stretchered from the field before being taken to hospital with concerns over his neck.

It wasn't the way in which a great champion deserved to bow out in the last game of his NRL career.

More to follow...

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Cooper backs JOC to sort attitude

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QUADE Cooper believes troubled friend James O'Connor can follow his example and use a Wallabies exile to sort out his attitude, and rectify off-field behaviour that "hurts the team'".

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O'Connor is currently serving an indefinite suspension for failing to uphold Wallabies' cultural standards, following an incident at Perth airport three weeks ago that saw him denied entry on a flight for being drunk.

Cooper said he'd sent a message of support to O'Connor after hearing of his predicament last week, but said based on his recent experiences, being banished could end up rescuing O'Connor's career.

Cooper found himself on the outer of the Wallabies after last year labelling the team culture as "toxic'' under Robbie Deans, and that he would have turned down Test jerseys had he not been injured.

"For me when I was out of the Wallabies I got a a great opportunity for me to look at my attitude, and things that I was doing wrong that might be impacting upon the team moving forward, and also yourself personally," Cooper said.

"For me, if I look at his (O'Connor's) situation, if you can take any sort of positive out of it, it's a time for him to get things right in his life away from football that are going to help to contribute to the team, and us being a team that people can take serious.

"Each of those little things hurts the team. Even in my situation, those were things I felt strongly about.

"It wasn't that my behaviour was getting in trouble away from football but  I shouldn't have been acting that way with my attitude. You think of each other player, and they're people who put a lot of time and effort into it."

Given his huge talent, the loss of O'Connor from the Wallabies team has left a hole against the Springboks tomorrow morning but it's this trade-off that many argue has led to the 23-year-old not being hauled into line previously.

Senior players have long felt Deans gave O'Connor too much rope on disciplinary matters due to his on-field ability.

When asked if it was a shame the winger wasn't on the field in Cape Town, Cooper indicated that compromise had to end for O'Connor's sake - and the team's.

"You have to be mindful about someone's welfare. From a selfish point of view, you want someone in the team but you also want what's best for them," Cooper said.

"For me right now, it's all about him getting back to a good position and not just taking him for his rugby ability. That's the whole team's standpoint, and if things get worked out, it will be great to welcome him back and see him play some good football."

Cooper's growth and maturity has been the talk of both Queensland and Australian rugby this year, with previously sceptical teammates now warmly talking up the gifted five-eighth.

It is understood the "toxic'' fall-out prompted Cooper to re-evaluate his personal life, and shed a truckload of hangers-on and negative influences.

"When I came back into the team, I felt good. I felt good in myself, that I could contribute to the team. I worked hard in my time away so when I was coming back in, I could be accepted by all the players and go out there work hard to earn my spot in the team. I had to earn my spot in the team, away from football," Cooper said.

"Now this is his opportunity to do that, if he is given the second chance that he might need. That's what I will continue to say if and when I see him."

The investigation of the ARU Integrity Unit into O'Connor and the Perth incident is several weeks away from being concluded, according to ARU boss Bill Pulver.

"We have given James and his manager a week to come back with evidence that's relevant to the inquiry, and we're also seeking further clarification from the Australian Federal police about what went on that evening. So hopefully in the next couple of weeks it will be brought to a conclusion," Pulver said.

O'Connor's future in Australian rugby may hang on the findings of the investigation, with sole Australian suitors the Western Force waiting to see how it unfolds before determining whether they'll continue negotiations.

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Who to barrack for in the GF

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HAWTHORN or Fremantle? It's enough to make supporters of the other 16 clubs sick. But if you had to pick one...

Read on for a guide on which team supporters from each club should support on Saturday.

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ADELAIDE: (Freo)
Any Adelaide fan who reckons they didn't barrack a little bit for Freo when super megastar Tony Modra left West Lakes for Western Australia is probably lying. You've done it once, you can do it again. Get on the Mod Squad.

BRISBANE: (Hawks)
Hawthorn gave you Leigh Matthews, who gave you three premierships in three years. It's as simple as that. Haw-forn.

CARLTON: (Freo)
Remember back in the 1980s when you had to share your home ground with that disgusting mob from the leafy east? What a bloody disgrace that was. Don't move on. Dig up the old grudge and embrace it.

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COLLINGWOOD: (Freo)
James Clement. Brodie Holland. Paul "The Feral Kid" Medhurst. Leigh Brown. Freo rejects you adopted as your own and grew to love. You're halfway there, so throw in the fact that you can't beat Hawthorn and take joy in watching someone else do it instead.

ESSENDON: (Freo)
Do you recall Adam McPhee? Started his career at Fremantle before he came to your club. Thankfully, Freo agreed to take him back. For that you should be eternally grateful. Repay that gratitude with your support today. You know it makes sense. Not to mention the hate-hate relationship with Hawthorn that dates back to the 80s.

GEELONG: (Freo)
Just a few weeks ago you stood at the ballot box and voted, not for the political party you loved the most but for the one you hated the least. It's exactly the same scenario today. Freo. At a pinch.

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GOLD COAST (Draw)
The only thing better than watching the Grand Final at, let's say, the Mermaid Beach Surf Lifesaving Club while drinking icy cold $2.50 schooners of Victorian beer in stunning weather as we shiver down south, is doing exactly the same thing again next week. Lucky buggers. Back the draw.

GWS: (Freo)
My buddy Pauline from Essendon has a son, Jeremy, who barracks for GWS because he likes the orange on their jumpers. Freo used to have orange on their jumpers, so I know he'd pick them over Hawthorn's poos and wees outfit. You should too.

MELBOURNE (Freo)
Fre-o, rhymes with snow,
Only know the numbers not their names you know.
Got my ski lift pass and love the Alpine Road,
I am a Melbourne Docker.

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NORTH MELBOURNE: (Freo)
In the past you worshipped Josh Gibson. Now you think he's just a one-dimensional turncoat Hawthorn hack who gets exposed in finals because the only thing he can do is spoil. Crack a bottle of Shinboner Spirit right over his head today. Go Freo.

PORT ADELAIDE (Freo)
Visualise Kochie. Imagine Hawthorn is Mel Doyle – you know, been around a while, had a good go but getting a bit drab and in need of a service and a paint job. Suddenly Samantha Armytage appears like a breath of fresh air. Think Fremantle. Kochie wants you to.

RICHMOND: (Freo)
Q: Why did the Irish get the potatoes and the Arabs get the oil?
A: Because the Irish had first choice.
2004: AFL draft, pick four. Richmond takes Tambling. Hawthorn gets Franklin at pick five. You wear that draft disaster like a badge of honour. Anchors away.

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ST KILDA: (Hawthorn)
When Ross Lyon was your coach, you played finals. You strangled sides. You were really good. Almost great. Now look at the bloody joint. It's a rabble. Shambolic. A disgrace. But don't blame yourself, blame Ross. It's his fault. He left. Go Hawks.

SYDNEY SWANS: (Freo)
Thought beating Hawthorn last year was fantastic? Then imagine watching the best team of the home-and-away season implode on the big stage on the same day again this year. Dock on.

WESTERN BULLDOGS: (Freo)
You're a Bulldog. You don't believe in fairytales. They suck. Don't get seduced by all this Brian Lake romanticizing bulls***. EJ wouldn't stand for it. Get down to a $2 Shop in Barkly St, buy an inflatable anchor and STICK IT RIGHT UP 'EM!

WEST COAST: (Hawks)
You're probably already in the car heading north to Geraldton, or Broome, or Darwin, busting to get out of the place. Just in case. At least the flights out of Perth will be cheaper next week if things go wrong and Fremantle wins. Pray for Hawthorn.

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A-League ambushes AFL GF

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FOOTBALL Federation Australia will risk the ire of the AFL on Saturday by sending a promotional truck into the Grand Final precinct publicising the opening of the A-League season.

With 100,000 people set to descend on the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the AFL decider between Hawthorn and Fremantle, the FFA will devote eight hours circling the ground with a vehicle displaying Melbourne Heart recruit Harry Kewell and Victory superstar Archie Thompson.

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The A-League season opens with the Melbourne Derby on October 12.

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"I'd be surprised if the AFL saw this as ambush marketing," said FFA Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications, Kyle Patterson. "We're not in direct competition with the AFL anyway, they finish as we start.

"This is a sign that football is in the mainstream. We have a great story to tell and we're not shy about telling it.

"The A-League season rolls into the FIFA World Cup in Brazil when millions of Aussie fans will get behind the Socceroos. We're banging the drum to get everyone on board."

The 2012 AFL Grand Final between Sydney and Hawthorn drew 99,683 spectators to the MCG. The game, won by the Swans, drew a national television audience of 4.05 million viewers – the highest posted by the AFL in six years. It was the most watched sporting event in Australia for 2012.

The FFA and the AFL have endured a rocky relationship over the years, most notably over the issue of stadium availability during football's unsuccessful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The deployment of an FFA-sponsored promotional truck to the AFL's showpiece event could further fray tensions. 

The FFA is hoping to build on the success of the breakthrough 2012-13 season A-League season with a sizeable promotional blitz before kick-off.

The Heart's signing of Kewell after an unhappy stint with cross-town rivals Victory will be a key feature of the messaging in Victoria.

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Wallabies back bench to overrun Boks

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THE Wallabies will look to a bench boasting almost 200 Test caps experience as the weapon to come home over the top of the Springboks at Newlands Stadium.

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Australia have been poor in the final quarter of each Rugby Championship match to date, and the Boks' hammered home the point particularly in Brisbane by running in three tries.

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A competitive 19-12 scoreline blew out to an embarrassing 38-12 final result, leading to Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie bemoaning a lack of impact from his reserves.

One of the stronger Australian benches in recent times could be the solution, believes McKenzie, with experienced stars like Will Genia and Benn Robinson - and the raw power of Sitaleki Timani - to be injected in the final half-hour.

"When Australia has won over here, it has been at the death. The 78th to 80th minutes, so you have to be there at the death, so having a lot of experienced players coming in, we will be able to lift our performance, not let it fall away," McKenzie said.

"Every game has had moments where we needed to be stronger, particularly towards the back end of the game.

"The fact we can bring on some of our most experienced players in the last part of the game is significant I think. We are looking for a stronger finish, no question."

Winger Adam Ashley-Cooper said the modern game was a 23-man effort, and the sight of strong bench players entering the game in the second half boosted those already in the battle.

"It's being able to close out and grind out a win from 60-80 minutes, and it's about being able to maintain standards we set in the first 60," Ashley-Cooper said.

"That's certainly a big focus, and it's always a big focus when you're playing away.

"The impact we can have this week is pretty good. We have got Robbo there, a lot of experience, we have got big Sita who creates a lot of damage, Benny McCalman is physical. We have some great impact and that's what you want your bench to bring."

McKenzie echoed James Horwill's comments that the Wallabies would look to play with more pragmatism against the Boks in Cape Town, which translates into a bigger kicking game - as already seen in horrific weather in Perth against the Pumas.

While still emphasising the Wallabies' desire and capacity to run the ball from anywhere, McKenzie said current refereeing of the breakdown - particularly by northern hemisphere officials - meant sides were too scared to run the ball from their own half.

Referees are currently letting defending players not support their weight at the breakdown, and not pinging payers to release the tackled player as strictly as the thrill-a-minute years seen in 2010 and 2011.

"It's up to referees and how they view the breakdown, basically, and how many times they penalise the attacking team versus the defensive team," McKenzie said.

"We know when you look at the refereeing stats where that sits ... the confidence you have to play in front of your poles is different depending on where the game is at, at the time.

"At the moment, teams aren't spending too much time in their half because they're frightened which way it is going to go on the penalty side of things.There are good goalkickers at the moment, so you have to make sure you don't get behind on the scoreboard.

"We will continue to play rugby. We can run the ball from wherever. It is just a question of whether where we choose to run it from.

"It is just a balance between how much you run, kick and pass. The All Blacks are leading the competition and they've kicked the most, even more than the Springboks. We understand what's working in the competition at the moment, and where you play and how you play the game."

Five-eighth Quade Cooper said while he loved to run the ball, playing smart rugby sometimes meant smart kicking and building pressure in the opposition half.

"Playing positive rugby is something I always enjoy doing but sometimes you have to bite the bullet and see how the game is being played," he said.

"It is a worldwide game, so you have to take into account how they play it in France and England, not just how we play it in Australia and New Zealand."

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Hawks can beat Docker maze: Woosha

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FORMER West Coast coach John Worsfold says Hawthorn can avoid death by Docker strangulation to win this year's premiership.

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Eagles legend Worsfold played both Hawthorn and Fremantle twice this year and says no one can shut down attack like the Dockers.

But Hawthorn navigated its way through the midfield maze in Round 4 against Fremantle, and Worsfold believes they will do it again tomorrow.

He said the Hawks midfield could provide enough opportunity for Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli to bounce back from their poor preliminary finals.

The Hawks lethal band of left-footers have found a way to cut through dense zones consistently this year.
''Fremantle's form has been building and they are remarkable how they can strangle teams,'' he said.

''They make teams look shaky and they have no answer to getting through their defensive mechanisms. They are the best at doing that.

''So the challenge is Hawthorn getting it forward enough and I think Hawthorn will be able to do that in the Grand Final. They will get it inside 50 enough and they are then going to be able to win the game and score enough.

''We saw them do that well (against Geelong) with a lot of scoring shots, and it was without much impact from Franklin, Rioli and Roughead. It is rare that they will have another quiet day.''

Dual premiership coach Worsfold provided an insight into the crazy atmosphere in the dying minutes of a Grand Final during an MCC lunch this week.

He said he was so desperate to win the 2006 premiership that he asked his coaches if he should try to hide Eagle Daniel Chick behind a point post while bringing another player on.

He says now it would have been the greatest mistake of his coaching career.

''Not many people would know this, but Chicky couldn't give any more with two minutes left. I was in the coaches box thinking, 'We have to get Ash Hansen on because he's fresh'. So I was asking the guys in the box, "If we send the runner out and tell Chicky to step off the ground near the point post and notify the interchange steward and Ash Hansen runs on, so Ted Richards still thinks Chicky is there...."

''I was throwing this scenario around with two minutes to go and we are a point up, and the (coaches) are all thinking, 'You are mad'.

''I was saying, 'Can we do it, does anyone know the rules?'. We didn't do it, thank god. It would have been one of the worst decisions ever made.''

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Line-ups: Freo unchanged, Simpkin in

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THE teams are in for the biggest game of the season and Jonathan Simpkin is the lucky Hawk to replace the injured Brendan Whitecross, while Fremantle goes unchanged.

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AFL GRAND FINAL
HAWTHORN HAWKS v FREMANTLE DOCKERS, 2.30pm (EST) Saturday at the MCG

HAWKS
B: Ben Stratton, Brian Lake, Brent Guerra
HB: Shaun Burgoyne, Josh Gibson, Grant Birchall
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis
HF: Luke Breust, Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli
F: Paul Puopolo, Jarryd Roughead, David Hale
Foll: Max Bailey, Brad Sewell, Luke Hodge
I/C: Liam Shiels, Jack Gunston, Bradley Hill, Jonathan Simpkin
Emg: Shane Savage, Taylor Duryea, Matt Spangher

In: Jonathan Simpkin
Out: Brendan Whitecross (knee)

DOCKERS
B: Michael Johnson, Zac Dawson, Paul Duffield
HB: Lee Spurr, Luke McPharlin, Danyle Pearce
C: David Mundy, Ryan Crowley, Tenday Mzungu
HF: Cameron Sutcliffe, Chris Mayne, Nathan Fyfe
F: Zac Clarke, Matthew Pavlich, Michael Walters
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Matt de Boer, Stephen Hill
I/C: Hayden Ballantyne, Nick Suban, Lachie Neale, Michael Barlow
Emg: Alex Silvagni, Jack Hannath, Tom Sheridan

In: -
Out: -

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