The match, attended by 101,861 spectators, was won by Hawthorn by a margin of 42 points, marking that club's sixth premiership victory.

At the conclusion of the home and away season, Hawthorn had finished first on the VFL ladder with 18 wins and 4 losses.

Hawks player Robert DiPierdomenico won the Brownlow Medal in the week leading up to the game.

The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Hawthorn defender Gary Ayres for being judged the best player afield.

Ayres, playing on the wing for the first time in five years, nullified Rhys-Jones and set up many attacking moves for the Hawks.