The 80's Hawks or Brisbane 2001-03? Who is the greatest team of the last 30 years? | Thebigtip

Then there were two; the all conquering Brisbane Lions and the champions of the 80's- Hawthorn.  Both teams provided us with great highlights through time and are worthy opponents to battle it out for the title of 'The greatest AFL team of the last 30 years.

I have selected the 22 players that will represent both teams, with Brisbane having the 2002 Grand final team, and Hawthorn mainly the 1988 team, but with two from 1989 because of the extended interchange.  Also I selected Jeans over Joyce in the coaches box for Hawthorn.

Hawthorn
B: Andrew Collins Chris Langford Gary Ayres
HB: Scott Maginness Chris Mew Michael Tuck (c)
C: Robert DiPierdomenico Peter Schwab Tony Hall
HF: Chris Wittman Dermott Brereton John Kennedy
F: Paul Abbott Jason Dunstall James Morrissey
Foll: Greg Dear Gary Buckenara John Platten
Int: Russell Greene Darrin Pritchard  Peter Curran Anthony Condon
Coach: Allan Jeans

Brisbane
B: Chris Johnson Chris Scott Justin Leppitsch
HB: Luke Power Mal Michael Marcus Ashcroft
C: Shaun Hart Michael Voss Martin Pike
HF: Des Headland Jonathan Brown Nigel Lappin
F: Jason Akermanis Alastair Lynch Darryl White
Foll: Clark Keating Simon Black Brad Scott
Int: Beau McDonald Craig McRae Tim Notting Aaron Shattock
Coach: Leigh Matthews

The ball is bounced in front of a packed MCG crowd, Dipper is scuffling with Pike on the wing, umpires wisely choose not to interrupt. In a surprise move Jeans has both Dunstall and Brereton starting out of the goalsquare.  Hawthorn gets the jump on the lions, kicking the first three goals, Voss hits back for the lions and sets up Brown for a 45 metre goal, dead in front.

The game starts at a ferocious pace with Platten, Schwab and Tuck setting up the hawks through the middle of the ground.  Nearing the end of the quarter Hawthorn has the chance to break the game open but Greene and Morrissey both miss.  The first quarter ends with Hawthorn 4 7 31 Brisbane 2 1 13.  Black and Headland have had little or no impact for the lions, whilst Hawthorn will be impressed with their start.

During the quarter time break Matthews has got stuck into Akermanis for his effort on the wing against Tony Hall, hopefully this will ignite Jason.

The second quarter starts well for Brisbane with Lynch kicking the first two goals, no mean feat against a player of Langford’s calibre.  The bounce of the ball seems to be going Brisbane's way, receiving soft free kicks in and around the stoppages.  All looks good for Brisbane, until Brad Scott pulls his hamstring running down the half forward flank, ending his day.  That is a cruel blow for the lions.  Late in the quarter Buckenarra streams through the middle, two bounces... goal, to give the hawks the slight edge at half time.  Hawthorn 8 10 58 Brisbane 8 5 53.

What a great second quarter from the lions, Voss, Hart  and Lappin are clearly on top in the middle with Hawthorns ruck dominance is being staggered by their impact.  Both sides are full of running with Brad Scott being the only injury concern.

The Premiership quarter sees the Hawthorn cheer squad erupt.  Wittman and Brereton kick the openers for the hawks, pushing their lead out to 17 points.  Dominant ruckman Greg Dear comes off halfway through the quarter with what appears to be a thigh injury, Paul Abbott will have to shoulder the ruck duties for the remainder of the game, Jeans looks on sternly from the coaches box.

Akermanis kicks back to back goals nearing the end of the quarter, but Dunstall kicks a steadier in the shadows of three quarter time.  The siren sounds with Hawthorn 13 12 90 leading Brisbane 12 7 79.

Hawthorn goes into the final quarter with a handy break but is beginning to look tired.  Brisbane is full of running, and are starting to win more of the clearances.  Lynch and Brown are working well together, and surprise packet Tim Notting is looking dangerous up forward.

How the game ends is entirely up to you, the readers.  Please comment on how you think this great contest will be decided.

Will Hawthorn run away with the game, or will Brisbane hit back and be crowned the 'Greatest AFL team of the last 30 years'.