'Rage' drives 'Punky' as end looms for Hawks great
They certainly share the same sentiment, with the three-time Hawthorn premiership forward determined to "rage, rage against the dying of the light".
The 34-year-old, a two-time All-Australian and one of the best small forwards of his generation, announced on Thursday this season will be his last.
Former teammate and current Hawks coach Sam Mitchell has no doubt Breust will stay in the game, probably as a coach, but there is unfinished business with the Hawks seventh on the ladder and yet to confirm a finals berth.
"He spoke really nicely and gently (to teammates) ... until we started talking about the rest of the season. He had just that little bit of rage behind his eyes," Mitchell said.
"He's still burning to make sure he can achieve as much and help us achieve as much as we can."
Known as "Punky", Breust is the game's ultimate cult figure and Mitchell added he was the rarest of beasts - an AFL player with no enemies.
Hawks fans sound as though they are booing when they roar his name after he kicks a goal.
"He's as good a person as I've ever met, and anyone has ever met in footy. I don't think you'll ever meet anyone who says 'I don't know about that Luke Breust' - he's universally loved," Mitchell said.
The small forward returned to the senior team for last week's win over Collingwood for a career total of 306 games.
He and fellow forward, and good friend, Jack Gunston are the only veterans on their list to play in Hawthorn premierships. Breust and Gunston played in the 2012-15 grand finals, winning three flags.
He is among nine Hawks to reach 300 games and his 307th this Saturday in the game against Melbourne at the MCG will put him equal with Mitchell at third on the club list.
Breust has kicked 552 goals, seventh-highest at Hawthorn, and he made the 2014 and '18 All-Australian teams.
But his impact at Hawthorn goes well beyond his significant on-field exploits.
"If you could make your culture around the type of club you want to be and the type of person you want to be, Luke Breust is perfect,' Mitchell said.
Hailing from the small NSW country town of Temora, Breust proved a bargain-basement selection when the Hawks recruited him with the No.47 pick in the 2008 rookie draft. He did not make his debut until 2011.
Mitchell said for all the support Breust received when he was starting, he has paid that forward 10-fold.
"I said to the players 'who has he helped?' Every player put his hand up, no hesitation, straight away," he added.
Such is Breust's standing at Hawthorn that despite only playing six senior games so far this season, he remains a co-vice captain.
"He's not this big, look-at-me personality, so he probably hasn't been celebrated as much outside of us," Mitchell said.
Luke Breust may, or may not, be familiar with the work of iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
They certainly share the same sentiment, with the three-time Hawthorn premiership forward determined to "rage, rage against the dying of the light".
The 34-year-old, a two-time All-Australian and one of the best small forwards of his generation, announced on Thursday this season will be his last.
Former teammate and current Hawks coach Sam Mitchell has no doubt Breust will stay in the game, probably as a coach, but there is unfinished business with the Hawks seventh on the ladder and yet to confirm a finals berth.
"He spoke really nicely and gently (to teammates) ... until we started talking about the rest of the season. He had just that little bit of rage behind his eyes," Mitchell said.
"He's still burning to make sure he can achieve as much and help us achieve as much as we can."
Known as "Punky", Breust is the game's ultimate cult figure and Mitchell added he was the rarest of beasts - an AFL player with no enemies.
Hawks fans sound as though they are booing when they roar his name after he kicks a goal.
"He's as good a person as I've ever met, and anyone has ever met in footy. I don't think you'll ever meet anyone who says 'I don't know about that Luke Breust' - he's universally loved," Mitchell said.
The small forward returned to the senior team for last week's win over Collingwood for a career total of 306 games.
He and fellow forward, and good friend, Jack Gunston are the only veterans on their list to play in Hawthorn premierships. Breust and Gunston played in the 2012-15 grand finals, winning three flags.
He is among nine Hawks to reach 300 games and his 307th this Saturday in the game against Melbourne at the MCG will put him equal with Mitchell at third on the club list.
Breust has kicked 552 goals, seventh-highest at Hawthorn, and he made the 2014 and '18 All-Australian teams.
But his impact at Hawthorn goes well beyond his significant on-field exploits.
"If you could make your culture around the type of club you want to be and the type of person you want to be, Luke Breust is perfect,' Mitchell said.
Hailing from the small NSW country town of Temora, Breust proved a bargain-basement selection when the Hawks recruited him with the No.47 pick in the 2008 rookie draft. He did not make his debut until 2011.
Mitchell said for all the support Breust received when he was starting, he has paid that forward 10-fold.
"I said to the players 'who has he helped?' Every player put his hand up, no hesitation, straight away," he added.
Such is Breust's standing at Hawthorn that despite only playing six senior games so far this season, he remains a co-vice captain.
"He's not this big, look-at-me personality, so he probably hasn't been celebrated as much outside of us," Mitchell said.
Luke Breust may, or may not, be familiar with the work of iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
They certainly share the same sentiment, with the three-time Hawthorn premiership forward determined to "rage, rage against the dying of the light".
The 34-year-old, a two-time All-Australian and one of the best small forwards of his generation, announced on Thursday this season will be his last.
Former teammate and current Hawks coach Sam Mitchell has no doubt Breust will stay in the game, probably as a coach, but there is unfinished business with the Hawks seventh on the ladder and yet to confirm a finals berth.
"He spoke really nicely and gently (to teammates) ... until we started talking about the rest of the season. He had just that little bit of rage behind his eyes," Mitchell said.
"He's still burning to make sure he can achieve as much and help us achieve as much as we can."
Known as "Punky", Breust is the game's ultimate cult figure and Mitchell added he was the rarest of beasts - an AFL player with no enemies.
Hawks fans sound as though they are booing when they roar his name after he kicks a goal.
"He's as good a person as I've ever met, and anyone has ever met in footy. I don't think you'll ever meet anyone who says 'I don't know about that Luke Breust' - he's universally loved," Mitchell said.
The small forward returned to the senior team for last week's win over Collingwood for a career total of 306 games.
He and fellow forward, and good friend, Jack Gunston are the only veterans on their list to play in Hawthorn premierships. Breust and Gunston played in the 2012-15 grand finals, winning three flags.
He is among nine Hawks to reach 300 games and his 307th this Saturday in the game against Melbourne at the MCG will put him equal with Mitchell at third on the club list.
Breust has kicked 552 goals, seventh-highest at Hawthorn, and he made the 2014 and '18 All-Australian teams.
But his impact at Hawthorn goes well beyond his significant on-field exploits.
"If you could make your culture around the type of club you want to be and the type of person you want to be, Luke Breust is perfect,' Mitchell said.
Hailing from the small NSW country town of Temora, Breust proved a bargain-basement selection when the Hawks recruited him with the No.47 pick in the 2008 rookie draft. He did not make his debut until 2011.
Mitchell said for all the support Breust received when he was starting, he has paid that forward 10-fold.
"I said to the players 'who has he helped?' Every player put his hand up, no hesitation, straight away," he added.
Such is Breust's standing at Hawthorn that despite only playing six senior games so far this season, he remains a co-vice captain.
"He's not this big, look-at-me personality, so he probably hasn't been celebrated as much outside of us," Mitchell said.
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Daily Telegraph
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AFL live ladder predictor: Every club's finals chances during round 23
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Adelaide has edged closer to locking up top spot on the AFL ladder after outlasting Collingwood in an epic battle at the Adelaide Oval. Amid a barrage of Collingwood inside 50s, the Crows held on to break a 10-game losing streak to the Magpies, who lost at the ground for the first time in 10 visits. It means Adelaide has locked up a top-two spot, and can claim the minor premiership with a win over North Melbourne next week. MORE: Crows break Collingwood hearts in finals-like epic Earlier, Gold Coast had a chance to sew up a top four position and plan an assault on the top two, but that's all up in the air now. The Giants came and conquered, all but securing a finals campaign in a huge upset that shakes up the ladder. Brisbane locked up its own future with an upset of its own over the Dockers, with Fremantle now in a perilous position where they could miss finals. It is becoming increasingly likely that there will be a 15-win team miss finals for the first time in the league's history. This page will be updated throughout the weekend's games to show exactly who is favoured to miss the cut at any given point. Adelaide Crows were the first to lock in finals. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos/via Getty Images 1. ADELAIDE Played: 21, Won: 17, Lost: 5, Percentage: 141 RUN HOME R24: North Melbourne, Marvel (Saturday afternoon) What a win over Collingwood! The Crows have locked in the minor premiership - pretty much. They would need to lose to North Melbourne in round 24 to drop off, but even then, a home qualifying final awaits. Best Case Scenario: 1st Beat Kangaroos OR lose to Kangaroos AND Cats lose to Tigers Worst Case Scenario: 2nd Lose to Kangaroos AND Cats beats Tigers Expected Finish: 1st Beat Kangaroos OR lose to Kangaroos AND Cats lose to Tigers The Lions secured a finals berth after their win over the Dockers. Picture: Getty Images 2. BRISBANE Played: 22, Won: 15, Drawn: 1, Lost: 6, Percentage: 114.3 RUN HOME R24: Hawthorn, Gabba (Sunday night) Brisbane has secured its immediate future with a win over Fremantle – the Lions will play finals. A win over Hawthorn in round 24 could see them edge inside the top four, which is a huge result given the injury woes in recent weeks. Losing to Hawthorn would result in a home elimination final; potentially even against Hawthorn. Best Case Scenario: 1st Win against Hawks AND Crows lose to Magpies and Kangaroos AND Cats lose to Swans and Tigers AND Magpies lose to Demons Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose against Hawks AND Giants beat Saints AND Dockers beat Bulldogs Expected Finish: 4th Locked up a finals appearance with a dominant win over Fremantle on Friday. Now a lot relies on the win over Hawthorn next Sunday. We're still on Jeremy Cameron 100 watch. Picture: Getty Images 3. GEELONG Played: 21, Won: 15, Lost: 6, Percentage: 139.8 RUN HOME R23: Sydney, SCG (Sunday afternoon) R24: Richmond, MCG (Saturday afternoon) Sydney at the SCG could be a tricky fixture to venture through, but if the Cats escape victorious then a top-two finish beckons. A minor premiership is not out of reach, but it would take a Collingwood win over Adelaide and a perfect end to the season – with enough of a margin to overturn the small percentage difference. Best Case Scenario: 1st Win against Swans and Tigers AND Crows lose to Magpies or Kangaroos, with a 2.6% turnaround Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose to Swans and Tigers AND Hawks beat Lions AND Giants beat Saints Expected Finish: 2nd Win against Swans and Tigers and have expected winners from other matches A win over Sydney opens up a shot at the minor premiership, but only if the Crows slip up. But lose to the Swans and the Cats could slide outside the top four. Suns losing to Giants also firms up a top two finish There's still a lot to play out for the Magpies. Picture: Getty Images 4. COLLINGWOOD Played: 22, Won: 15, Lost: 6, Percentage: 123.1 RUN HOME R24: Melbourne, MCG (Friday night) What an eight-pointer that game was. Collingwood could've locked up a top-four finish if they held on against the Crows on a wet Saturday night. Now they need to beat Melbourne to be in the conversation for a double chance. Best Case Scenario: 2nd Beat Demons AND have Cats drop two, plus Lions lose to Hawthorn. Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose to Melbourne AND have Giants beat Saints AND have Hawks beat Lions AND have Bulldogs beat Dockers Expected Finish: 4th Lose to Crows but beat Demons and have expected winners from other matches 5. HAWTHORN Played: 22, Won: 15, Lost: 7, Percentage: 122.7 RUN HOME R24: Brisbane, Gabba (Sunday night) A convincing win over Melbourne has them just about locked into finals - where they end up is still up to other results. Win against Brisbane and they're a chance for top four, lose and its elimination final time. They can't finish 9th; their percentage is better than Fremantle's and they're eight points ahead of the Dogs - who play each other next week. Best Case Scenario: 4th Beat Lions AND have Magpies lose to Melbourne. Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose to Lions, and have expected winners from the other matches Expected Finish: 8th Lose to Lions, and have expected winners from the other matches The Dockers loss and Giants win means the Hawks can't finish ninth, but will likely finish eighth. An upset win at the Gabba next week pushes them into double chance territory. GWS could make the top four or miss the finals. Picture: Getty Images 6. GWS GIANTS Played: 22, Won: 15, Lost: 7, Percentage: 115.5 RUN HOME R24: St Kilda, ENGIE (Sunday afternoon) The Giants will be playing finals after their upset over the Suns. But while they can keep moving up the ladder, an elimination final beckons - very likely a home final if they knock off the Saints next week. Best Case Scenario: 5th Beat Saints AND have Suns lose to either Power or Bombers AND have Hawks beat Lions Worst Case Scenario: 8th Lose to Saints Expected Finish: 6th Beat Saints The Giants stamped their ticket to the finals with the dominant upset win over the Suns. Even if they lose to the Saints in round 24, they are locked into finals. A home final beckons if they win next week. The show is not over just yet for Nat Fyfe. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/7. FREMANTLE Played: 22, Won: 15, Lost, 7, Percentage: 108.6 RUN HOME R24: Western Bulldogs, Marvel (Sunday afternoon) Get ready for a classic 'round 24 elimination final' for Fremantle. The Dockers had a real chance to lock in a finals berth on Friday, but the loss to Brisbane could cost them a September appearance. They can still make the eight without winning next week, but it would take a whole lot of luck. Best Case Scenario: 4th Win against Bulldogs AND Cats lose to both Swans and Tigers AND Magpies lose to both Crows and Demons AND Lions beat Hawks Worst Case Scenario: 9th Lose to Bulldogs and have expected winners from other matches Expected Finish: 9th Lose to Bulldogs and have expected winners from other matches The Dockers' destiny is still in their hands - win and they're in. But lose and they miss out. A true Round 24 elimination final. The Suns are on the verge of their first finals campaign. Picture:8. GOLD COAST Played: 21, Won: 14, Lost: 7, Percentage: 121.2 RUN HOME R24: Port Adelaide, AO (Friday night) R24: Essendon, PFS (Wednesday night) Could the loss at home against the Giants be the moment in history we look back at? Surely the Suns don't miss finals from here, but the pressure is on to hold onto a double chance. Best Case Scenario: 3rd Win games against Power and Bombers AND have Lions lose to Hawks Worst Case Scenario: 9th Lose games against Power and Bombers Expected Finish: 3rd Win against Power and Bombers AND have Cats win against either Swans or Tigers A loss against the Giants has cost them a home qualifying final, but the Suns can still get a double chance - they just need to win out from here. The Bulldogs' last game of the season will determine their fate. Picture: Getty Images 9. WESTERN BULLDOGS Played: 21, Won: 13, Lost: 8, Percentage: 135.4 RUN HOME R23: West Coast, Marvel (Sunday twilight) R24: Fremantle, Marvel (Sunday afternoon) Luke Beveridge needs to echo the mantra of Dory from Finding Nemo: 'Just keep s-winning.' Knocking off the Eagles is a start, but the Bulldogs will likely need to beat Fremantle in the final round to make the top 8. But their destiny is still in their own hands, their percentage is superior to those around them. Just keep winning. Best Case Scenario: 4th Win both games AND have Giants lose to Saints AND have Suns lose to either Power or Bombers Worst Case Scenario: 9th Lose to Dockers Expected Finish: 7th Win both games and have the expected winners from other matches would lead to a 6th-place finish. The Bulldogs won't miss finals if they win their final two games, and would need results to go their way if they were to drop one of the two clashes. Round 24 v Fremantle could be an elimination final. Originally published as AFL live ladder: Who will finish in the top eight, miss the finals
West Australian
5 hours ago
- West Australian
WAFL 2025: West Coast Eagles cop fifth wooden spoon in a row after Swan Districts kick late winner
West Coast Eagles have collected their fifth straight WAFL wooden spoon in heartbreaking circumstances after they were cruelly denied victory by a late Swan Districts major at Mineral Resources Park. Ayden Cartwright's last-gasp goal in the final minute saw the Swans cling on for a five-point win, condemning the Eagles to yet another last-placed finish with an 11.12 (78) to 11.7 (73). Three final term goals to young ruck Harry Barnett looked to have been enough for West Coast to claim their third win of the year, but Cartwright's second of the game minutes later broke hearts. Heading into their second last game of the season, the Eagles were long odds to leapfrog Subiaco in ninth, who sported an eight-point advantage. And the Eagles' battling loss made it impossible for them to overhaul the Lions and their two-win lead heading into West Coast's final game of the season, against minor premiers South Fremantle. Amid some promising showings from several AFL-listed players, West Coast did well to lead by five at the break and despite relinquishing the lead to trail by seven at the last change, heroically hit the front late thanks to Barnett's huge final term Two Jacks — Williams and Petruccelle — were among the Eagles' best, with the former kicking three and snaffling 12 marks, while the youthful triumvarte off half-back of Harvey Johnston, Tyrell Dewar and Lucca Grego all had at least 20 disposals. AFL players kicked the first three goals of the game as Petruccelle, Williams and Coen Livingstone helped their side to a 13-point lead at quarter-time, with the visitors held goalless in the first quarter. West Coast doubled their amount of goals between half-time and the final change – the only issue was the Black Ducks tripled their own tally, booting six in the third quarter to lead by seven heading into the last term. With the Eagles trailing in the final term, a pair of goals to Barnett narrowed the margin to five points as the hosts sensed a boilover. Barnett's third looked to have snatched victory, but a late Swans raid came up trumps as Cartwright side-stepped a tackle and snapped truly.
