AFL: 7 Most Memorable Fights Of All Time

4. Hawthorn vs Essendon - Round 22, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI7z6v93Wo0 In round 22 of the 2009 season, Hawthorn met Essendon with both teams seasons on the lines. The Hawks were two points behind Essendon in the race for 8th, and a win would see them leap frog the Bombers and sneak into the finals series. Essendon were looking for their first final since 2004, where they came 8th where they were beaten in the Semi Finals by Geelong. Hawthorn, the reigning premiers were going to be the first team since Adelaide to miss out on the final series the year after winning the Grand Final. Hawthorn's skill had put them in the lead early, with their star midfielders such as Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell leading the clearances. The Hawks skipped to a 22 point lead at half time and didn't look like they were going to give it up. Not long after the start of the second half Sewell was scrambling for another clearance when Essendon forward Michael Lloyd came charging off the line, taking out Sewell while his head was over the ball. Sewell's team mates, who were obviously unhappy with Sewell's treatment by the star forward, needless to say a fight broke out. Many Hawthorn players went to remonstrate with the bomber forward, with several Essendon players coming to Lloyds defence. The bump seemed to do the trick for Essendon, as the bombers pegged back the Hawks and won the game by 17 points, completing a 39 point comeback to win the game and take them into their first final series since 2005. Matthew Lloyd was suspened for four games for his bump on Sewell, and Hawthorn coach Alistair Clark was also fined for verbally assaulting Lloyd as he left the ground.