Playing in a classic Tassie torrent, Hawthorn managed to out muscle Port Adelaide in a much needed win.
While Port Adelaide were playing to keep their finals chances alive, Hawthorn looked to firm their position in the eight. And it showed, with both sides applying tonnes of pressure in ghastly conditions.
A lack of discipline from Port resulted in a goal early for Hawthorn, coming from Calsher Dear. However, the Power responded quickly, kicking two in short succession thanks to a free given away by captain James Sicily. The game was tied at first quarter time, with both sides applying enormous pressure (209 Hawthorn, 196 Port), and battling a strong gale to hit the scoreboard.
It was a tough contest in the middle, with Port ruckman Jordan Sweet looking to get the better of Lloyd Meek at times (registering game-high nine contested possessions, nine disposals, and four clearances against Meek by the mid point of the second quarter), as the midfielders scraped to gain possession, with rain bucketing down.
Port gained the lead early in the second quarter through Jack Lukosius. However it was the Hawks who made the most of the wet and windy conditions, kicking 3.2 to earn a 13-point buffer at the main break. Hawthorn also lifted with their intent, recording a pressure rating of 222 (to 204), the equal-highest for a first-half this season for any team, recording 46-43 tackles.
It was Port again who came out of the gate strong after half time, appearing to have the ascendency early after kicking two and eroding the lead. However, Hawthorn turned the tide yet again through a well-earned goal from Dylan Moore and another later on from Jack Gunston.
With a two goal lead heading into the final quarter, it was time for the Hawks to shut things down for good. As the rain continued to pour, goals were hard to come by, until a spry Bailey MacDonald plucked one around the 11:30 mark leading to a spirited celebration, given it was his first AFL goal.
Jarman Impey’s move into the forward paid dividends with the veteran defender slotting three majors within the next ten minutes, equalling his PB. It was Jack Ginnivan who would have the last laugh, kicking the sealer followed by a playful airplane celebration to see Ken Hinkley off as his chance for one last finals series faded away. The Port Adelaide coach of twelve years took the jibe with grace, a cheeky smile creeping across his face as he watched from the coaches box.
Sam Mitchell finally ended his hoodoo against Port Adelaide, notching his second win against Port as a coach, as the Hawks ended the day 13.9.87 to 7.7.49, maintaining their winning streak at UTAS and their chances at another finals tilt stays alive. With this win, the Hawks briefly grab a spot in the top four, however, finishing the round at fifth.
VOTES
Chris
3 – Jarman Impey:
Jarman has had an amazing season to date and the performance on Saturday was spectacular. Playing an important role down back before an outstanding swingman cameo down forward producing three last quarter goals. He finished the game with 26 disposals, six intercepts and five tackles
2 – Blake Hardwick:
Dimma quite often doesn’t get the plaudits he deserves but he’s definitely getting from me this week! With the 2nd most disposals on the day with 27, he managed to go at 74% disposal efficiency while gaining a whopping 840 meters gained! Dimma had intercept possessions, 10 rebound 50’s, a game high eight marks (three contested) and the five tackles.
1 – Dylan Moore:
Dylan has flicked the switch and regained the All Australian form of last year. With a game high 32 disposals showcasing work rate with nine tackles in tough conditions. He had an equal game high seven score involvements including 2 goals to go along with six clearances to cap off a well rounded game (41% disposal efficiency is why I gave one vote)
Ollie
3 – Dylan Moore:
After a lean few weeks since a stellar showing against the Adelaide Crows in Round 14, vice-captain Dylan Moore exploded back into form. Playing noticeably more midfield minutes, Moore put together a huge two goal, 32 disposal effort; absolutely excelling in the less-than-ideal conditions. To accompany his impact with ball in hand (that included eight inside-50s and seven score-involvements), the 25 year-old added nine tackles to cap off an all-around effort.
2 – Jarman Impey:
Having already been in the best handful of players come 3QT, Jarman Impey was thrown forward, a position he started his career at Port Adelaide in, and quickly turned a good game into a great one. Impey finished with a stat line usually reserved for the top 1% of the competition, as a career-high three goals (from five scoring shots) was accompanied by 26 disposals (18 of which were kicks), five marks and seven score involvements. Quietly putting together a career-best season at age 30.
1 – Josh Ward:
Ward continued his rock-solid 2025 season in fine fashion against Port, displaying his underrated inside game with a team-leading 18 contested possessions amongst his 26 touches. This, teamed with a match-high ten inside-50s, nine tackles and 567 metres-gained made Ward impossible to overlook for an MVP vote; something becoming a theme as the season wears on.
Bec
3 – Jarman Impey:
His switch to the forward line was pivotal for Hawthorn as they looked to lock the game away. Impey kicked an equal game high three goals alongside Jack Gunston, both goalscorers unlucky not to have kicked a couple more, while still making the most of their opportunities in abysmal weather. Add 26 disposals, five tackles, seven score involvements, and 459 metres gained, Impey has elevated himself this season.
2 – Dylan Moore:
Strong showing in the wet from the vice captain. Registering a game high 32 disposals, Moore worked hard up and down the ground. With nine tackles, seven score involvements, six clearances, and two goals, his impact was important.
1 – Josh Ward:
Blake Hardwick (a game high 840 metres, eight marks gained from 27 disposals) deserves an honorable mention here, however Josh Ward edges him out of a point here, playing one his best games of the season. With a game high 10 inside 50s, five intercept possessions, nine tackles, six clearances, and 567 metres gained from 26 disposals, he has taken another step in the right direction as his game evolves.
Tally
Jarman Impey 8
Dylan Moore 6
Blake Hardwick 2
Josh Ward 1
