AFLW finals: Hawthorn not distracted by investigation, says Eliza West

Possible sanctions remain up in the air only two days from when Hawthorn takes to the field in a crunch semi-final against Port Adelaide.

Hawthorn vice-captain Eliza West says the heated post-game altercation which has sparked a league investigation has not distracted her side from its search for a maiden finals win.

The second-placed Hawks were sent to a semi-final by Brisbane in a pulsating six-point battle overshadowed by an ugly skirmish after the final siren on Sunday.

Both clubs believed the AFL was still looking into the incident, which may have been fuelled in part by crowd abuse towards Hawthorn star and former Lion Emily Bates.

But on Thursday the league was still yet to confirm any investigation, and declined to comment 48 hours before the Hawks were due to return to Ikon Park to face Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

“Obviously something did happen after the game – we could all see that – but nothing I can comment on,” West told reporters on Thursday.

Hawthorn and Brisbane players fought after the siren as both clubs await the outcome of a league investigation into the qualifying final incident. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

“The higher-ups will obviously deal with that. At the moment, as a playing group we’re just focusing on the game ahead.

“Briefly, obviously something happened involving a player, but it hasn’t really been a focus point for us.

“We’ll let the people who know how to deal with that, deal with that, and we’ll focus on what we can do on the field.”

Hawthorn’s relatively light fixture had built intrigue ahead of the clash with the reigning premiers, but the Hawks settled any doubt they were a legitimate force in the tight clash.

West was confident they could get the game on their own terms against a Port Adelaide side with strong momentum after steamrolling Richmond for a seventh-straight win on Sunday.

Midfield star Eliza West was one of six Hawks included in the 2024 AFLW All-Australian squad this week. Picture: Michael Klein

“Credit to (the Power), they’re on a roll and doing well … but we’ve had an outstanding season,” West said.

“We’ll bring our strengths and some good footy, and they’ll have to match it with us.”

One of a league-high six Hawks to earn selection in the AFLW All-Australian squad, West said the accolades had “shocked” the players.

The 27-year-old has been a key part of the Hawks’ midfield transformation after leaving Melbourne to work under first-year coach Daniel Webster, averaging a career-high 22 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances.

“(I was) absolutely stoked. It’s an honour to receive an award like that, and among five other players on the team, it’s amazing,” West said.

“It felt really nice to have the playing group get around you … it was such a good moment for the program, and the work that we’ve put in during the pre-season and during the season.”

Originally published as AFLW finals: Hawthorn not distracted by investigation, says Eliza West