Grant Birchall – 6
Solid match for the no-fuss defender opposed to Angus Monfries, although the Port star got off the leash late. His experience counted in numerous one-on-one contests and he relentlessly drove the ball forward at every opportunity.
 
Luke Breust – 7
The All Australian forward pocket was well held by Tom Jonas early but then showcased his versatility by running through midfield. Consistently found space and time around the stoppages - the sign of a good player. Went goalless but remained dangerous with a couple of score assists.
 
Shaun Burgoyne – 6
Last year's preliminary final hero flew under the radar. The veteran occasionally broke the lines but struggled to impact the contest. Best moment came as he took two bounces from the wing and delivered a daisy-cutting ball to Jarryd Roughead, who goaled just before half-time.
 

Jonathon Ceglar – 5
Competed with vigour in support of David Hale in the ruck. Looked rushed at times in open play, and he was berated by Jordan Lewis for slow ball movement after taking a mark at half-back in the second quarter. Not the worst but the door is ajar for Ben McEvoy.
 
Taylor Duryea – 7
Slow starter but built on his superb qualifying final display with a mature defensive performance. Kept the shackles on Jake Neade and also kicked a vital goal after a dubious 50m penalty to bring Hawks within a point in second term. Deserves the chance to play in the Grand Final after missing out last year.
 
Josh Gibson – 6
Quiet game by the Hawks' reigning best-and-fairest winner, although he was rarely beaten. Offered typically solid support as the third man at marking contests and played his role.
 
Jack Gunston – 7
Worked hard to get on top of Jack Hombsch in an even contest. Capitalised on a free-kick for holding 60m up the ground in the second quarter and got better from there. Played his part with two goals and 16 touches.
 

David Hale – 7
Had an enormous presence around the ground and booted a morale-boosting goal late in the third quarter after taking clean possession from a stoppage. Competed hard all match and has booked his spot in the Grand Final side.
 
Bradley Hill – 8
In his 50th game the electric speedster lit up the Great Southern Stand wing with his blistering runs. Always looked dangerous and shrugged off tagger Kane Cornes to finish with 22 touches. Is having a huge September and his pace will be critical against the Swans. 
 
Luke Hodge – 8
The skipper almost single-handedly weathered Port's storm in the early exchanges, filling the hole across half-back. Willed himself to contest after contest at both ends. Executed a game-saving smother at half-back in the final minute and then won a free kick for holding the ball. Was immense.
 

Brian Lake – 5
Looked shaky opposed to Power forward Jay Schulz, who couldn't take full toll on the scoreboard. Improved late and got a saving hand in on Monfries' marking attempt in final 10 seconds. Will be setting himself for a massive job on Kurt Tippett.
 
Will Langford – 9
Gave the Hawks a presence at the contest when Port brought the heat in the first term. The sometime tagger continued his late-season emergence as a damaging midfielder and kicked a crucial early goal in the face of Port's onslaught. Ran with Travis Boak in the second half and was also the Hawks' leading ball-winner with 29 touches. Has to keep his spot.
 
Jordan Lewis – 7
Racked up possessions in the clinches and was a chief instigator of Hawthorn's second-quarter surge. Copped a corked leg from Matt Spangher's friendly fire early in the third quarter. Tried to run it out but was subbed out with 22 touches in the third quarter.
 

Sam Mitchell – 8
Was Hawthorn's main ball-winner to half-time with 17 touches but lacked his usual clinical disposal at times. Having said that, the ex-skipper still had a telling influence and was among the Hawks' best.
 
Paul Puopolo – 6
Went goalless but dished off a major to Isaac Smith in the second term. Typical hard-working display that included five tackles and five clearances to go with 20 touches.
 
Jarryd Roughead – 9
Imposed himself with a bag of six majors and could have had more with better delivery. Had Alipate Carlile covered for pace and Jack Hombsch beaten for strength. His fourth goal was the best after he burst free from the centre and bombed long from 60m early in the third term. The match-winner.
 
Bradley Hill and Jarryd Roughead were both brilliant against Port Adelaide. Picture: AFL Media



Liam Shiels – 7
Swapped roles with Langford playing on Boak and Hamish Hartlett, who were among Port's best. Left nothing in the tank and laid eight tackles in a determined performance.
 
Jonathan Simpkin – 2
The Hawks' super sub was unleashed just before three-quarter time and ran himself into the ground to collect eight possessions.
 
Isaac Smith – 8
Broke the lines across the four quarters and booted two majors to go with 19 possessions. His first goal after following up his own centre clearance lifted the Hawks in the second quarter.
 

Matt Spangher – 4
Finally celebrated his 50th game after nearly nine seasons in the AFL, but it wasn't his greatest performance. Started on Westhoff in defence but was beaten in the air and looked shaky on the ground. Swung forward after half-time. His spot could come under scrutiny but will have better match-ups against the Swans tall forwards.
 
Ben Stratton – 7
Showed his versatility rotating through Port's tall and small forwards. Held Chad Wingard to just five touches and no goals before the Port jet exploded in the fourth term sitting behind the ball. Could have a huge job on Swans talls in the Grand Final.
 
Matthew Suckling – 7
Struggled for touch early after a month on the sidelines but grew in confidence as the match wore on. Had 11 disposals in the crucial second quarter and Hawthorn looked more composed when he had ball in hand. Highlight was a running goal to put Hawks ahead that he started on the wing.