2008 AFL Grand Final

2008 AFL Grand Final
Hawthorn running through the banner prior to the match. They would win the match against the defending premiers, winning their first premiership in 17 years.

Geelong

Hawthorn
11.23 (89) 18.7 (115)
1 2 3 4
GEEL 5.3 (33) 6.12 (48) 9.18 (72) 11.23 (89)
HAW 5.2 (32) 8.3 (51) 14.5 (89) 18.7 (115)
Date27 September 2008
StadiumMelbourne Cricket Ground
Attendance100,012
FavouriteGeelong
UmpiresScott McLaren (11), Michael Vozzo (2), Shaun Ryan (25)
Coin toss won byGeelong
Kicked towardCity End
Ceremonies
Pre-match entertainmentPowderfinger AC/DC, Ian Moss, Lucy Durack and Amanda Harrison
National anthemAmanda Harrison and Lucy Durack
Accolades
Norm Smith MedallistLuke Hodge (Hawthorn)
Jock McHale MedallistAlastair Clarkson (Hawthorn)
Broadcast in Australia
NetworkSeven Network
CommentatorsBruce McAvaney (host)
Dennis Cometti (commentator)
Nathan Buckley (expert commentator)
David Schwarz (expert commentator)
Leigh Matthews (expert commentator)
Ricky Olarenshaw (boundary rider)
Tim Watson (boundary rider)
← 2007 AFL Grand Final 2009 →

The 2008 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football match contested between the Geelong Football Club and the Hawthorn Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 27 September 2008. It was the 112th annual grand final of the Australian Football League (formerly the Victorian Football League),[1] staged to determine the Premiers for the 2008 AFL season. The match, attended by 100,012 spectators, was won by Hawthorn by a margin of 26 points, marking that club's tenth premiership overall and first since 1991. Hawthorn's Luke Hodge was awarded the Norm Smith Medal as the best player on the ground.

  1. ^ In 1897 and 1924 there were no grand finals and instead the premier was decided by a finals play-off. In 1948 and 1977 there were grand final replays after initial draws.