The match, attended 75,230 spectators, was won by Hawthorn by a margin of 53 points, marking that club's ninth premiership victory.

A snap from Wilson in the pocket followed by a relay free kick to Heady stretched the margin out to four goals.

Hawthorn had Stephen Lawrence winning the hit outs, and a dominating midfield negated any wind assistance the Eagles may have had.

The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Hawthorn's Paul Dear for his workmanlike performance, especially in the tight first half.

After the Eagles had started well, Dear was shifted to the half-forward line and not only kicked Hawthorn's first goal, but managed to quell the influence of Andrew Lockyer and Glen Jakovich by providing a foil for Dermott Brereton.

[1] West Coast coach Michael Malthouse said after the game that "Hawthorn had been first to the ball and clearly won in the air".

[citation needed]) Hawthorn defender Gary Ayres made sarcastic reference to this in his post-match interview.

His record includes[citation needed] Before the game Daryl Braithwaite sang both "Waltzing Matilda" and "Advance Australia Fair".

Included in the parade were the 1991 Brownlow medallist Jim Stynes, the Oarsome Foursome, Jeff Fenech, Fighting Harada, Lionel Rose, Lisa Ondieki and her husband Yobes, and Susie Maroney.

[2] Champion marathon runner and then Head of the Australian Institute of Sport, Robert de Castella, and rock singer Angry Anderson were transported to the middle of the ground in a blue Batmobile-like vehicle with the AFL logo prominently displayed.

[2] De Castella gave a brief speech honouring Australia's Olympians and other sporting heroes before Anderson jumped from the Batmobile and took centre stage, belting out his hit song "Bound for Glory" and encouraging the crowd to sing along.