Hawthorn are through to their first preliminary final in a decade, after their stunning 34-point win over Adelaide created AFL history.
Never before had the eighth placed finisher beaten the minor premiers in a final – until Friday night.
Off the back of Jack Gunston’s five goals, the Hawks ended Adelaide’s season in the 14.17 (101) to 10.7 (67) defeat at Adelaide Oval.
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And the Crows resigned themselves to become the first minor premier in AFL history to bow out of the finals race in straight sets – and the first since North Melbourne in the VFL back in 1983.
“Adelaide are going out of the finals series with their tail well and truly between their legs,” AFL great Garry Lyon said.
The Hawks were off to a blistering start through Jai Newcombe, who had the first four centre clearances of the match.
With Newcombe (28 disposals, eight clearances and a goal) unstoppable in the middle, the visitors piled on three quick goals to stun the Adelaide Oval crowd.
It took almost 13 minutes for the Crows to finally steady and then level scores, before a Nick Watson miracle from the pocket.
That Watson goal, described by AFL great Jason Dunstall as a “one out of 10 (chance) at best”, gave the Hawks a lead they never relinquished.
Crows veteran Taylor Walker (seven touches, zero goals) was wasteful in Adelaide’s goalless second term as the minor premiers started to wilt.
Jack Gunston nailed three third quarter goals and suddenly Hawthorn looked a class above as Josh Rachele was brought into the contest off the back of an ankle injury to Mitch Hinge.
Riley Thilthorpe (three goals) was playing a lone hand for the Crows in attack – but he had little support around the ground.
Rachele gave Adelaide a faint hope in the final term with a brilliant soccer goal, but as they had done all game Hawthorn had the answers.
The 34-point win is the first time Hawthorn have claimed victory in a final at Adelaide Oval.
The Hawks will now take on Geelong in the preliminary final at the MCG for a spot in the 2025 decider.
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