It's second versus fifth in what should be an exciting rematch under Friday night lights.
Four games left in the season and tensions remain high as Hawthorn follow up their apt win over Carlton with a potential finals preview, flying up to Adelaide to face the Crows in what is expected to be a Friday night blockbuster.
Hawthorn notched their 13th win of the season last Thursday night, beating the 12th placed Blues by 24 points.
By all accounts, it should have been a total shellacking, with the Hawks blazing away early in the first. Hawthorn had registered six goals by the first break, while only conceding one major to Carlton. Jack Ginnivan kicked things off with a classy check-side goal within the first two minutes, while Mitch Lewis kicked his first of the season shortly after.
Connor Macdonald, Josh Ward, Jack Gunston, and Calsher Dear all added to the scoreboard, with Dear’s goal coming from a set shot after taking a Mark of the Year contender.
Nick Watson and Harry Morrison joined the growing list of scorers for the Hawks in the second quarter, extending the lead to thirty by the main break.
Following half time, Hawthorn had a quick start, kicking one major through Jack Gunston within the first minute, while Calsher Dear and Nick Watson also contributed soon after. Dear was a standout, with some spectacular grabs, including a magnificent leap over retiree Sam Docherty, and a one handed pluck later on.
Instead of blazing away, Hawthorn kicked one goal in the final quarter, conceding two to Carlton. While it wasn’t the percentage booster many fans would have wanted, it was a comprehensive win, with plenty of passages of elite football on display. Should Hawthorn carry over such electric football against Adelaide this Friday (for all four quarters), then we have a great game on our hands.
Hawthorn’s leaders in Dylan Moore and James Sicily played well, with the latter appearing to rediscover his form, registering 14 intercept possessions from 25 disposals and subsequently earning the MVP for the match.
Meanwhile, Adelaide demolished rivals Port Adelaide by 98 points in their annual derby at Adelaide Oval. Taylor Walker, Riley Thilthrope, and Ben Keays each scored three goals, counting themselves amongst Adelaide’s 12 goal scorers. Jack Soligo had a blinder, with 35 disposals, five clearances, and two goals, helping his side climb to second on the ladder.
Last Time They Met
This is a notable rematch for Adelaide, having already faced Hawthorn in a tight loss back in Round 14 down at UTAS.
On paper, Adelaide appeared dangerous throughout the match, maintaining the lead for 105 minutes. However, cold and slippery conditions resulted in a low scoring affair, giving Hawthorn every chance of stealing the game.
By the first break, Adelaide led by 13, kicking 2.3 to Hawthorn’s 0.2. Naturally, it was Jack Gunston who scored Hawthorn’s first, early in the second, helping the Hawks get started. He would be Hawthorn’s sole goal scorer for the half, while Adelaide’s forwards shared the load, with Ben Keays, Dan Curtin, and Isaac Cummings hitting the scoreboard.
At the main break, Adelaide had only extended their lead by two points, with the scoreboard reading 4.7.31 to 2.4.16.
Momentum, however, shifted in the third quarter, with Hawthorn keeping Adelaide goalless and eroding their lead. Connor Macdonald kicked the first of the second half within the first 20 seconds, followed by Mabior Chol five minutes later. With the ball spending the majority of the quarter in Hawthorn’s forward half, Adelaide conceded 2.3 while scoring only four points.
Inaccuracy plagued both sides in the final quarter, with each kicking a combined seven behinds before Connor Macdonald broke the drought 18 and half minutes in. Izak Rankine was quick to reply, but it was Jai Newcombe who had the last laugh, kicking the sealer in the dying minutes of the game after battling a tag throughout. Hawthorn pinched the win with three points, the final scores 6.11.47 to 5.14.44.
Tale of the Tape
Adelaide have won their past five games in a row, with clinical wins over Richmond, Melbourne, and Port Adelaide, and important wins over the Western Bulldogs and (a demolition of) the Gold Coast Suns. This run has put the Crows a game ahead of third place, with 56 points and a whopping percentage of 146.
In an interesting twist, Adelaide’s last defeat this season was at the hands of the Hawks back in Round 14 in Tasmania.
Hawthorn have been a thorn in Adelaide’s side for the past couple of years, having won the last four out of five games against them. This includes the last time the two sides met at Adelaide Oval, back in round 20, 2024 (summarised above).
This game is here to be won in the middle. Adelaide are ranked eighth in the comp for clearances, four spots above Hawthorn, second in the competition for hitouts (46/game), just above Hawthorn (44/game). Reilly O’Brien and Lloyd Meek are almost neck and neck at the top of the competition for average hitouts, with O’Brien averaging 39.2 (second in the comp) to 38.8.
Adelaide are also ranked a spot above Hawthorn in average tackles (third and fourth), averaging 65.2 (to 64.4), suggesting this will be a high pressure game, one with a finals like atmosphere.
The Side
The Short of It
Stakes are high for both teams. For Adelaide, it’s about solidifying a double chance in their first finals series since 2017. For Hawthorn, every win is vital to ensure they make finals at all.
Many have already ruled Hawthorn out of the race this season, with pundits expecting Hawthorn to falter and fall out of the eight within the next month. But coach Sam Mitchell is adamant the Hawks are “looking up”, particularly with the return of notable players in Mitchell Lewis, Calsher Dear, and Will Day.
Hawthorn needs at least two more wins to cling onto their spot in the eight, especially given their current percentage of 119.9. Should Hawthorn lose, they could fall to eighth on the ladder. External factors apply here, as wins to Fremantle, GWS, and the Suns will see them leapfrog the Hawks.
If Hawthorn win, however, these external wins will be nullified, and it should be the Hawks sitting at fourth on the ladder.
The odds might be against the Hawks, given the Crows run of form and home game advantage. However, if Hawthorn can produce some of the electric, clean football they had last week, they’re every chance of pinching another win from the Crows.
Friday 1 August 2025 • 7:40 PM (AEST)
