AFL
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A FEW days of solid celebrations down, Temora's AFL premiership hero Luke Breust has nothing but fond memories of Hawthorn's dominant grand final victory.
Breust capped off a remarkable season with a fantastic three-goal performance in the Hawks' 63-point demolition of Sydney Swans in last Saturday's AFL grand final.
It was back-to-back flags for Breust and Hawthorn as the Hawks ensured they will go down as one of the best teams of the modern era.
With grand finals over Fremantle and now Sydney under his belt, Breust said the ease of this year's victory allowed he and his team mates to take away some treasured memories.
"It wasn't too different for me," Breust said.
"The week goes so quickly and before you know it, it's gone.
"With the weekend's game, to win like we did, that last quarter you don't want to tell yourself that you've got it won but when you look and see 15 minutes left and they need to kick 10 goals to win, it's pretty unrealistic.
"The best thing was that it allowed you to sit back a little bit, enjoy it and be able to soak it all in.
"To win it with guys like Sucko, Matty Spangher and Doc Duryea, who hadn't won one before, that was the most pleasing thing."
Breust finished the year with 57 goals from 25 games.
He said it was a relief more than anything to boot three big goals in the grand final.
"I had copped a little bit of criticism over the last month, externally not internally, about not hitting the scoreboard as much," Breust said.
"So to kick three on the weekend and finish off a pretty strong year was one of the most pleasing things.
"To play my role in a grand final was very nice."
It was a huge year from the former Temora junior.
The 23-year-old completed his rise to fame with a second AFL premiership and All-Australian selection for the very first time.
Breust said selection on a half-forward flank in the All Australian team was an unexpected bonus.
"For sure, it wasn't in my goals at the start of the year," he said.
"It was nothing I really strived for, winning the flag was my main goal this year but to get All Australian with it makes it even better."
Breust said it had been a couple of big days since the grand final glory.
The Hawks hold their presentation night on Friday before he heads overseas on Monday.
Breust plans to head home to Temora in November to catch up with family and friends.