Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has produced a masterclass on the road to take down minor premiers Fremantle in the Qualifying Final.
While onlookers thought the game was done against the Dockers early in the second half, Fremantle has been an excellent late in games this season.
This made Mitchell concerned, especially when Fremantle's Jye Amiss kicked truly in the opening minute of the third quarter.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous when they kicked the first goal straight from centre bounce," Mitchell said in the post-game press conference.
"The stadium, this is an amazing stadium and place to play and the noise was phenomenal. I'm sitting in a closed glass box and I still couldn't hear through the phone.
"For our players to respond after that and get the next one. And then they kicked a goal five minutes later and we got the next one again. I think halving the third quarter was absolutely vital to be able to put the game away.
"I remember, it wasn't until a minute and 10 seconds to go that we actually (exhaled). The whole game we were on the edge of our seat."
