Hawthorn defeated North Melbourne by a commanding 124 points, 26.14 (170) to 7.4 (46), securing their place in September.
Sam Mitchell’s team scored eight goals in the second quarter to take a 66-point lead into the break. The Hawks continued to dominate, scoring ten more goals in the fourth quarter of their devastation of UTAS Stadium.
Among Hawthorn’s nine dual goalkickers, Jack Ginnivan (two goals, 23 touches) stood out early. Dylan Moore scored four majors, while Nick Watson, Mabior Chol, and Connor Macdonald each scored three.
The Hawks, who had a 0–5 start to the season, won 14 of their final 18 games to guarantee their spot in the championship game for the first time since 2018.
The AFL’s best team humiliated the Roos at UTAS Stadium, demonstrating that their high-pressure, swarming style of play is adaptable to any situation.
Although the Hawks are known for their flare and bravado, this was just another professional performance where it seemed like complacency might have crept in.
Similar to their match against Richmond, who are at the bottom of the standings, they eliminated any doubt their opponent might have had right away.
With ten goals in the final quarter, it was the perfect warm-up for the championship. It was the largest they had ever had.
After a complete onslaught at Launceston, the Hawks have finally secured their first finals spot since 2018.
One could have forgiven the match for degenerating into a competitive scrap in the rain. However, Hawthorn demonstrated that their ball movement is successful in every situation, and their speed was too much for the Kangaroos to manage on the expansive fields of UTAS Stadium.
Thus, the now 14-9 Hawks have pulled off the most incredible comeback after beginning the season 0-5.
“It’s enjoyable to observe, considering every aspect of their play until September,” triple premiership player Jonathan Brown said on Fox Footy.
“I really like how they go into their forward line; they’re so connected.”
“They’ve turnoverd the forward half a lot.”
