The High Octane Showdown: What the AFL Preliminary Final Reveals About Modern Sports The opening bounce of the preliminary final between Hawthorn and Brisbane was a jarring wake up call for fans watching from home – Lachie Neale, one of the most dominant players in the competition, was flattened by Jai Newcombe's massive tackle.
The scene set the tone for an explosive game that would leave spectators on the edge of their seats.
The match itself was a testament to the growing trend of high intensity football dominating professional sports leagues around the world.