Chance Bateman

The following is the time line for the the Grand Final day events including key times for match and TV related activities.   All times are listed first in Australian AEST and then in US EDT.  This is based on information from the AFL, AFANA, press reports and past history. This story will be periodically updated with late information.  (Revised 9/28/12)

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Shortly after Hawthorn defeated Collingwood in the Qualifying Final, midfielder Chance Bateman announced that 2012 would be his last season. Bateman, 31, joined the Hawks in 1999 to become just the second Indigenous player after Willie Rioli in the club's history. Willie, drafted in 1990, never made it to a senior debut. Bateman did debut in 2000 to become the first Indigenous player to play with the Hawks.

Brook Kilpatrick reporting for AFANA from Australia

Hawthorn will meet Collingwood in a Preliminary Final after comfortably defeating Sydney by 36 points at the MCG on Friday night. The Hawks dominated the contest early and at one stage in the third quarter held a 46 point lead before the Swans fought back. In Adam Goodes’ 300th game the Sydneysiders worked their way back to trail by just 18 points late in the third quarter. However Hawthorn showed poise under pressure to wrest back the initiative and cruise home with a six goal victory.

Hawthorn has had the edge on the Melbourne Demons over their last six matches and much was expected from them in this clash. Melbourne was coming off a draw against Sydney, while Hawthorn was winless after a discouraging finish against Adelaide in Round 1.

Hawthorn took Cyril Rioli's case to the Tribunal in an effort to have one of the charges dismissed. They were contesting the charge of attempting to strike as the incident occurred during a brawl which saw nine players, including Rioli, fined. Rioli accepted the fine as well as the charge of striking and later admitted that frustration led to his brain fade. He said he would take responsibility for his actions but did not testify.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Charges Laid:

Lenny Hayes (STK), striking Richmond's Jeromey Webberley: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equalling four activation points, a Level One offense, 80 demerits and a reprimand. He has

TRIBUNAL

Charges Laid:

Chance Bateman (HAW), rough conduct against West Coast's Brad Sheppard: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points), equaling six activation points, a Level Three offense, 325 demerits, and a three game suspension.

Hawthorn have returned to the Final Eight with a hard fought win against a valiant Fremantle Dockers team. Traveling interstate to Subiaco Oval for the Round 8 match against Fremantle, the Hawks came in with a defense seriously undermanned through injury. The Fremantle Dockers were coming off a morale-boosting three game winning streak and had the home advantage. Tipsters were divided in their predictions and Friday night football looked set to reward fans with an absolute beauty.