Grading every player on the ground as Hawthorn continues its magical 2024 run

From winless after five games to a blistering run of form, Hawthorn has advanced to the semi finals after knocking out the Bulldogs in front of nearly 98,000 spectators.

The Hawks' pressure and energy was too much for the Dogs in the second and third quarters, pushing away with the help of young forwards Calsher Dear and Nick Watson, who combined for seven goals.

It marks another fairytale performance by this young Hawthorn side, while the Bulldogs will be left lamenting another year not making the most of their stacked list.

Here's how we graded every player's performance:

###WESTERN BULLDOGS

Adam Treloar - B+

Fought hard and found his usual amount of the footy, but the Bulldogs midfield couldn't get the ball forward with any potency.

Ed Richards - B

Started well, but faded out of the game like a lot of the Dogs midfielders did. Will go up another level with a full off-season training as a midfielder.

Rory Lobb - B

Hawthorn's onslaught on the Dogs' back half made life tough for all defenders, but Lobb was serviceable.

Bailey Williams - B

22 disposals, six marks and a nice goal from long range.

Marcus Bontempelli - B-

Curious as to why Luke Beveridge had Bontempelli sitting at half forward for large chunks of the third quarter when the game was slipping away. He started on-ball in the fourth and lifted the side for a few minutes.

Caleb Daniel - B-

His last game as a Bulldog? 16 kicks and six marks and involved often at half back.

Sam Darcy - B-

Kicked a nice stoppage goal early and will learn a lot from the big stage. Fought hard and never dropped his head.

Tom Liberatore - B-

25 disposals and seven clearances for Liberatore, who did what he could.

Bailey Dale - C+

Well below his influential best. Summed up the night for a lot of the Bulldogs' weapons.

James O'Donnell - C+

Tim English - C+

Meek got well on top in the early, but English fought back in the second term. Not as involved around the ground as you'd expect. Well beaten by the Hawks ruck in the end.

Lachlan Bramble - C+

Been a good news story for the Dogs all season and clearly a player the side wants using the ball by foot. 17 kicks from 19 disposals.

Joel Freijah - C+

James Harmes - C

Used mostly as a midfield rotation off half forward and had a few good moments.

Aaron Naughton - C

Kicked a goal in the opening seconds of the game. Barely sighted when it counted afterwards, except for rushing what would've been a team-lifting Bont goal through for a behind in the fourth term.

Liam Jones - C-

Well beaten by Calsher Dear. Not quite quick enough to go with the young key forward. Heart in mouth whenever he has the ball in his hands.

Taylor Duryea - C-

Harvey Gallagher - C-

Luke Beveridge has shown enormous faith in Gallagher all season on the wing. A non-factor in this one, while D'Ambrosio dominated.

Lachlan McNeil - D

Had a big set shot to maybe open the door ajar, but couldn't take his moment.

Laitham Vandermeer - D

Cody Weightman - D-

Tough night for the Bulldogs forwards to get involved in this one.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan - D-

Absolutely zero impact on this one. The Hawks didn't give him a whole heap of opportunities to be fair.

Jack Macrae - N/A

Found seven disposals once he was subbed on late in the third.

###HAWTHORN

Jai Newcombe - A+

Midfield masterclass. 14 disposals in the third quarter, ripping the game to shreds. The best midfielder on the ground tonight. What an incredible piece of list management this was by the Hawks.

Lloyd Meek - A

Speaking of outstanding list management ... Physically dominated Tim English tonight. Not only won the ruck battle, but also hugely involved around the ground. Sneakily good kick for a ruckman.

Connor Macdonald - A

Always heavily involved in Hawthorn's scoring chains and kicked two himself. Game-high 10 score involvements.

Calsher Dear - A

First-year key forwards should not be ripping finals to shreds, but wow! Dear not only hit the scoreboard, but genuinely worried Liam Jones with his speed and timing all night.

Sam Frost - A

Hard to remember a contest where he was beaten tonight, despite giving up size to all three Dogs talls. What happens to him when Tom Barrass and Josh Battle come through the door?

Massimo D'Ambrosio - A

Taught Harvey Gallagher a bit of a lesson on the wing. Involved in everything between the arcs.

Nick Watson - A

What a finals debut for The Wizard, who did not look overawed on the big stage. Kicked four goals and bobbed up in space in all the right moments.

James Sicily - A-

Huge in the first half when the game was in the balance. Took intercept marks and added his attacking flair. A strong performance by the captain.

Jack Scrimshaw - A-

Can't quit raving about this Hawthorn defensive group. Scrimshaw gave up 14cm to Sam Darcy, but took advantage of the club's incredible pressure up the field to take telling intercept marks. Three in particular took the sting right out of Bulldogs momentum.

Josh Ward - B+

The best game of his career. A breakout performance by the first-round draft pick on the big stage. Shouldn't come out of this side again.

Karl Amon - B+

Was a weapon off half back all night. The Dogs clearly put some defensive work into him early, but Amon had a big say in Hawthorn's ability to hit the scoreboard on transition.

Blake Hardwick - B+

Doesn't get the kudos he deserves for his versatility. Heavily involved in the Hawks' transition footy off half back.

James Worpel - B

Led the Hawks for contested possessions and did the dirty work on the inside. Seven inside 50s and six score involvements on top of that.

Harry Morrison - B

Proving he's more valuable to this Hawthorn team than just a regular substitute. Finished with 22 disposals and seven marks.

Josh Weddle - C+

Not as involved as the others, but did his job. Can't wait until he no longer has to play a key defensive post.

Jarman Impey - C+

Jack Ginnivan - C+

Fittingly kicked the sealer, and celebrated accordingly. Not a whole heap of say otherwise.

Conor Nash - C+

No hard tagging role, but reliable as ever as the defensive sweeper.

Dylan Moore - C

A quiet night for the All-Australian superstar. His teammates got the job done, but he'll be wanting to deliver more next week.

Finn Maginness - C

Jack Gunston - C

Took a nice contested mark and slotted the goal. Subbed out in the fourth term.

Mabior Chol - D+

Threatened to take mark of the year a couple of times, but wasn't Chol's night. Brought the ball to ground, but never cashed in on the dominance.

Luke Breust - N/A

Subbed into the game in the fourth term.