HAWTHORN 5.2 8.3 14.5 18.7 (115)
GEELONG 5.3 6.12 9.18 11.23 (89)

Goals: Hawthorn: M Williams 3 S Dew 2 L Franklin 2 J Roughead 2 C Rioli 2 L Hodge X Ellis C Bateman C Young C Brown R Ladson S Mitchell. Geelong: C Mooney 2 M Rooke 2 G Ablett 2 T Lonergan 2 S Johnson D Milburn P Chapman.

Best: Hawthorn: L Hodge S Crawford C Rioli S Dew X Ellis C Bateman B Sewell C Brown. Geelong: G Ablett M Scarlett J Selwood J Corey C Ling.

Injuries: Hawthorn: T Croad (foot). Geelong: T Harley (concussion).

Norm Smith Medallist: L Hodge (Hawthorn).

Umpires: M Vozzo S McLaren S Ryan.

Official Crowd: 100,012 at the MCG.

Hawthorn has pulled off a remarkable and unlikely premiership triumph, defeating a dreadfully inaccurate Geelong by 26 points to secure their 10th VFL/AFL premiership.

Slideshow: Till we meet again
Video: Grand times at the parade
Gallery: AFL grand final parade
Greg Baum: It's still so grand for the Hawks
Vote: Is final day your favourite day of the year?
Photos: Grand final spirit
Photos: AFL Grand Final 2008
Video: Before the game

Geelong will rue a golden opportunity to claim back-to-back premierships, but the Hawks can thank their efforts when the chips were down as to why they are walking away with the premiership cup.

The Cats booted 1.9 in the second quarter - including some dreadful misses by key players - followed by 3.6 in the third term as they simply squandered too many opportunities when they counted for plenty.

In contrast, Hawthorn weathered the early storm and capitalised on their chances. A stunning burst of six consecutive goals in 20 minutes in the third quarter gave them the platform to steal victory.

In an absorbing match to conclude the 2008 AFL season, Hawthorn 18.7 (115) defeated Geelong 11.23 (89).

With the Hawks leading by 17 points and the result still in doubt at the final break, a tremendous goal by young superstar Lance Franklin at the 12-minute mark of the final term effectively ended Geelong's hopes.

The premiership win is a fitting reward for Hawthorn veteran Shane Crawford, who has taken 17 AFL seasons and 305 matches to finally win a flag.

Crawford sets the new mark for taking the most matches by a player before they played in a premiership team, eclipsing the mark of 294 matches set by Sydney's Paul Williams in 2005.

It's also a massive reward for Alastair Clarkson in his fourth season as Hawthorn coach. Clarkson copped plenty of criticism when he was appointed but stuck to his guns as he effectively rebuilt the Hawthorn list from scratch.

Hawthorn defender Luke Hodge was the most valuable player on the field across the four quarters and was fittingly awarded the Norm Smith Medal.

The Hawks were left depleted in the second quarter when key defender Trent Croad was forced from the field with a foot injury. They also lost valuable midfielder Clinton Young just after half-time. Young had been one of the most influential players on the ground in the first half.

Geelong also had to contend with being without skipper Tom Harley for the entire third quarter after he clashed heads with Mark Williams just before half-time.

While concentrating too much on Geelong's inaccuracy only deflects from Hawthorn's achievement, the Cats had won 42 of their past 44 matches and were warm favourites to defend their 2007 title.

They destroyed Port Adelaide by 119 points in last year's grand final but their experience of the last Saturday in September this time around will be remembered completely differently.