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Sport Nation
Grading every player as the Hawks stamp out the minor premiers
Jaiden Sciberras • September 13th, 2025 12:43 am
The Hawks started like a bullet train, booting two goals from clearance within the first 40 seconds of the game.
Adelaide awoke to the contest, having the better of the game around Adelaide Oval to make up ground, while Hawthorn thrived at centre bounce, claiming all of the first seven centre clearances for the game.
Transitioning into a cagey affair in the second term, both sides combined for just one major across the first 20 minutes of play, with the Hawks extending their lead to three goals before the main break.
Jack Gunston got the ball rolling in the second half, getting the better of Mark Keane for two quick majors to stretch the scoreboard once again. The Crows threatened to pull back the margin on several occasions but the Hawks had every answer, finding ways to score at every possible chance.
A five-goal 3QT margin threatened to eliminate the minor premiers and that it did, as the Hawks steam into a Preliminary Final with a 34-point thumping over the Adelaide Crows.
We graded every player as the Hawks advance in a big big way!
See our player ratings below:
Adelaide
Josh Worrell: A+
Couldn't have asked for a better game despite the Hawks' dominant scoring. 33 disposals, 10 marks and 12 intercepts, Worrell caps off a superb season in top form.
Jordan Dawson: A-
Slow to find effective involvement but worked into the game really nicely. Tracked plenty of involvement through the midfield to wrestle the engine room battle back in the Crows' favour.
Riley Thilthorpe: B+
Great mark and goal to shake the nerves, was Adelaide's danger man all night. Unfortunate to not have received delivery to the standard he would have hoped.
Wayne Milera: B+
Won some big one on ones and transitioned well. 23 touches and eight intercepts, Milera will hold his head high.
Rory Laird: B+
Offered much-needed ball movement, was involved a heap at the back flank and provided solid midfield minutes.
Max Michalanney: B
Shifted back to his natural defensive post and was far better off for it.
Jake Soligo: B
Alex Neal-Bullen: B-
James Peatling: B-
Very positive early, gave the Hawks a taste of their own medicine with a shoulder drop and free-kick goal. Fell out of the contest following the first term.
Brodie Smith: B-
Isaac Cumming: C+
Sam Berry: C+
Tasked with stopping Jai Newcombe after the first term, to little avail.
Reilly O’Brien: C+
Couldn't halt the Hawks' centre dominance, well beaten by Lloyd Meek around the ground.
Zac Taylor: C+
Showing great signs again.
Ben Keays: C+
Far from a contrast from last week's performance.
Darcy Fogarty: C
Terribly quiet across both finals games.
Luke Pedlar: C
Hardly a better 'moments' player.
Dan Curtin: C
Taylor Walker: C-
Went head to head with James Sicily in a box office battle between two stars hardly willing to give an edge. Unfortunately for the Crows, Tex couldn't get himself involved.
Nick Murray: C-
Mark Keane: D
Succumbed to the heat of the game a little more often than he would have liked. Beaten by Jack Gunston far too comfortably and far too often.
Mitch Hinge: N/A
Subbed out of the contest at half time with an unfortunate ankle injury.
__SUB: Josh Rachele: __
Thrown into his first contest since Round 17, subbed on at half time for an injured Mitch Hinge, and set up a goal with his first disposal.
Hawthorn
Jack Gunston: A+
Seriously ageless. Opened the scoring in brilliant fashion, was dynamic against Mark Keane all night to create separation and boot
Jai Newcombe: A+
Is there anyone in modern footy better suited to finals footy? First three clearances, three inside 50's, three Hawthorn goals - could hardly ask for a better start. Copped plenty of attention in late to stem his almighty influence but it hardly phased him.
Lloyd Meek: A
A crumb and goal assist to start the game... not something a ruckman should be capable of.
Nick Watson: A
As electric as ever. Kicked a sizzler from the pocket early, played with immense confidence and was a threat with every entrance.
Josh Ward: A
Covering ground with ease and racking up so much touch. 31 disposals and five clearances, proving vital in Will Day's absence.
James Sicily: A-
Had the better of Tex in the first half, and had the better of Fogarty in the second. Ticked off two of the more difficult tasks in footy in one night.
Josh Weddle: B+
Up and down all night. The Crows simply didn't have an answer to Weddle's athleticism. Whether spoiling deep in defence or taking big marks and kicking goals, he did a little bit of everything.
Sam Butler: B+
Did exactly as tasked. Pressured and tackled at every possible chance, went forward and hit the scoreboard - a selection decision that is certainly paying off.
Jack Scrimshaw: B+
As underrated as underrated gets. Reads the ball as good as any, ever-reliable.
Blake Hardwick: B+
Had the matchup on Ben Keays and shut him out.
Josh Battle: B+
The perfect combination of defensive contribution and ball use. Worked with Sicily to keep Tex uninvolved.
Dylan Moore: B
James Worpel: B
Tom Barrass: B-
Didn't entirely shut out Riley Thilthorpe, but certainly wasn't beaten.
Jarman Impey: C+
Jarman Impey: C+
Quiet by his standards, but was crucial in solidifying the result in the final term.
Karl Amon: C+
55 metre major with his first disposal, somewhat quiet beyond.
Connor Macdonald: C+
Conor Nash: C+
Massimo D’Ambrosio: C+
Mabior Chol: C
Aerial threat all night, just couldn't capitalise on opportunities. Strong as a second ruck.
Jack Ginnivan: C-
Would have liked more involvement but hardly required.
Mitch Lewis: C-
The game moved a little too fast for Lewis early but got himself into the game well. Tactically subbed out of the game during the third term.
SUB: Changkuoth Jiath: N/A
Introduced to the game in the third quarter.
Following the result, the Hawks will head home for a blockbuster battle with Geelong at the MCG next weekend.
