Gold Coast didn’t see out the 2020 season as they would have hoped, while Hawthorn sent off triple-premiership heroes Ben Stratton and Paul Puopolo in style.

The 32-year-old Puopolo (three goals) finished with his biggest tally since 2018, as the Hawks set up the 17.6 (108) to 8.9 (57) victory with a seven-goal first quarter.  

While there weren’t a great deal of positives to take from the 51-point loss, Noah Anderson (25 disposals) finished his first season on a high and sets himself up well heading into the NAB AFL Rising Star award.

Debutant Jy Farrar not only joined the 'first kick, first goal' club but raised the bar with an outstanding running snap from the forward pocket.

00:55

RD18: Jy Farrar with an absolute eye-catching first goal

Suns debutant Jy Farrar produces a moment of brilliance to notch his first ever AFL goal

The SUNS end their season with three losses on the trot, but it's clear Senior Coach Stuart Dew has taken his side to the next level, finishing with almost double the wins of last season and a much improved 90.6 per cent.

Hawk’s departing skipper Stratton had kicked just one goal in his career against Sydney in 2010, way back in his 17th game.

Stratton was moved to full-forward with just five minutes left in the game and quickly slotted a goal before being mobbed by all his teammates.

Looking ahead to 2021, Gold Coast now has a settled forward and backline, while the midfield depth looks far stronger than it did in years prior.



HAWTHORN                      7.1       9.3       13.6     17.6 (108)
GOLD COAST                     1.1       3.5       5.5       8.9 (57)

GOALS
Hawthorn:  Gunston 4, Puopolo 3, O'Brien 2, Breust 2, Lewis 2, Shiels, Moore, Burgoyne, Stratton
Gold Coast: Sexton 3, Farrar, King, Rankine, Day, Greenwood

BEST
Hawthorn: Gunston, Mitchell, Puopolo, Moore, Cousins, Shiels
Gold Coast: Swallow, Anderson, Sexton, Miller, Greenwood, Ainsworth

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Gold Coast: Nil