Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says the umpire's call to award Brisbane a holding-the-ball free kick in the dying moments of Saturday's preliminary final was "clearly" correct.
Jarman Impey had one arm pinned by Lions midfielder Hugh McCluggage, but opted not to dispose of the football with his free arm, prompting the umpire to view it as sufficient time to kick the ball.
Mitchell said the surrounding Hawks players were "stunned mullets" at a time that mattered most.
“They're the things we'll be able to work on in our off-season and making sure that we continue to improve,” he said, having fallen short in a preliminary final in consecutive seasons," he said on SEN.
“Those individual moments, if it comes down to them, there's always going to be some luck involved.
“We're not quite ready for the last Saturday in September, unfortunately.”
Mitchell also weighed in on the questionable behaviour of Hawthorn fans following the final siren.
Bottles and cans were thrown onto the field, with some directed at fans in the stands as well as the adjudicating umpires as they exited the MCG.
“A few fans decided to throw things, and not act appropriately, so that was a bit disappointing,” Mitchell said.
“It has sort of soured what was one of the greatest games of all time.
“I hadn't heard about that at all … on the ground there was a lot of debris. I hadn't seen any of that - I assume that was all happening when we were coming down from the coaches' box.
“I read a story about a young 8-year-old who had nachos thrown at them at the footy. One of the great things about Aussie rules footy is how you can just take anyone, sit anywhere and feel safe all the time."
In the post-game furore, vision showed co-captain James Sicily and defender Tom Barrass making remarks towards the umpire who penalised Impey.
Sicily was handed a $10,000 fine while Barrass received a $5,000 penalty.
Mitchell has spoken to the pair, but acknowledged their actions weren't appropriate.
“I think we lost that for a moment after the game, and I don't think that's ever what anyone wants, so it's making sure that we behave appropriately and that goes to our players as well," Mitchell added.
“Going towards umpires after games, I don't think, is appropriate either.”
