For the second consecutive week, the Spartans completely outplayed St Leos in the first quarter, kicking 4.3 to 1 behind to set up another win over their rivals, this time a more important victory than the last home and away game, because the winner of the second semi-final went through to the Grand Final.
From the start, the Spartans asserted their authority on the game by running, spreading and backing each other up from defence to attack in creating a great team effort which included 11 individual goal-kickers. The game was over by half time as the Spartans held a 53 point lead into the major change.
In the third quarter Hawthorn kicked nine goals to two and by the end of the last quarter had sealed the victory with a runaway 118 point lead, giving themselves another opportunity to have a crack at the Grand Final for the third time in as many years.
Final score: Hawthorn Spartans 22-11-143 def. St Leos 3-7-25
Goal kickers: R. Palazzolo 4, A Demetriou 3, A. Mitropoulos 3, N. Criticos 2, T. Beech 2, J. Farah 2, P. Jenkin 2, D. Ekonomides 1, G. Dellaportas 1, C. Katsanevakis 1, A. Boocock 1
Best Players : A. Demetriou, C. Terzoglou, D. Ekonomides, R. Palazzolo, A. Boocock, A. Salipas
Hawthorn will have to wait until, Sunday, to find out which team they are playing in the Grand Final at Sportscover Arena – Glenhuntly Road Elsternwick (Mel. Ref. 67 E 3), on Sunday week 25 August at 12.00 midday.