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PLAYER RATINGS: Hawks survive late scare from the Giants
Nicholas Quinlan • September 6th, 2025 9:00 pm
Hawthorn has survived a late scare from the Giants to secure their passage to the semi-finals with a 19-point win at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday.
The Giants started well and managed to trap the ball within their forward half for the opening minutes of the match. But despite the number of opportunities the Giants generated, they only had two points to show for it.
After being constantly under pressure in the first eight minutes of the quarter, the Hawks found a way through with a Jai Newcombe being given a 50m penalty, which led to a running goal.
That would help the Hawks get going as they managed to kick the next three goals in four minutes to lead by 22 points, and would lead by four goals at quarter time.
This would be the buffer that the Hawks lead by through the majority of the second and third quarters, despite the Giants being able to generate far more inside 50s compared to the Hawks.
It was halfway through the third quarter when it looked like Hawthorn had sealed the game with Jack Ginnivan kicking back-to-back goals to lead by 42 points.
But that seemed to light a fuse under the Giants as they kicked the next seven goals and briefly led early in the fourth quarter.
But that seemed to light a fuse under the Giants as they kicked the next seven goals and briefly led early in the fourth quarter.
However, goals from Sam Butler and Mabior Chol were enough to close the match out in the Hawks’ favour.
Here is SEN.com.au's player ratings from the match.
GWS Giants
Connor Idun: D-
Gunston dominated the matchup between the two, particularly in the first half, as he had three goals kicked on him.
Gunston dominated the matchup between the two, particularly in the first half, as he had three goals kicked on him.
Sam Taylor: C
Went to Chol for most of the match and held him to nine disposals. But Taylor only managed eight himself.
Went to Chol for most of the match and held him to nine disposals. But Taylor only managed eight himself.
Harry Himmelberg C-:
Lachie Whitfield: A-
Dependable off half back once again. Was able to amass 36 disposals at an 81% disposal efficiency rate. He was a big part of getting the Giants going in the third quarter.
Dependable off half back once again. Was able to amass 36 disposals at an 81% disposal efficiency rate. He was a big part of getting the Giants going in the third quarter.
Leek Aleer: C
Lachie Ash: C-
Showed plenty of run from half back and managed, but struggled to find targets inside 50s.
Showed plenty of run from half back and managed, but struggled to find targets inside 50s.
SUB: Josh Kelly: B+
Came on in the second quarter for Darcy Jones. Kicked two impactful goals in the third quarter that saw the Giants well and truly back into the game.
Came on in the second quarter for Darcy Jones. Kicked two impactful goals in the third quarter that saw the Giants well and truly back into the game.
Stephen Coniglio: D+
Ryan Angwin: B+
Had the match-up on Weddle and did well on him in the first half. Partnered well with Green in the contest and was able to get some contested possessions at the start of the game. Wasn’t as impactful in the second half but had his moments.
Had the match-up on Weddle and did well on him in the first half. Partnered well with Green in the contest and was able to get some contested possessions at the start of the game. Wasn’t as impactful in the second half but had his moments.
Toby Bedford: C+
Good grab and go to start the match. Was able to run hard all day, which was particularly important when Jones came off.
Good grab and go to start the match. Was able to run hard all day, which was particularly important when Jones came off.
Aaron Cadman: C
Was the main tall option for the Giants going forward. Could find the ball at the centre of the ground in a lead-up role, but didn’t have the same luck inside 50.
Was the main tall option for the Giants going forward. Could find the ball at the centre of the ground in a lead-up role, but didn’t have the same luck inside 50.
Darcy Jones: B-
The kid with the lid scored a great goal from 45m out. But soon after limped off the ground in the second quarter with a suspected ACL.
The kid with the lid scored a great goal from 45m out. But soon after limped off the ground in the second quarter with a suspected ACL.
Toby Greene: C-
Looked like he was set for a big day after breaking a tackle with his second touch, but didn’t do much beyond that. Kicked two behinds.
Looked like he was set for a big day after breaking a tackle with his second touch, but didn’t do much beyond that. Kicked two behinds.
Jesse Hogan: B-
His first game since Round 21, Barrass kept him quiet in the first half. He managed a goal in the second, third and fourth quarters but was still impacted by his foot injury.
His first game since Round 21, Barrass kept him quiet in the first half. He managed a goal in the second, third and fourth quarters but was still impacted by his foot injury.
Callum Brown: C-
Would be kicking himself for giving a silly 50 metre penalty, which gifted the Hawks a goal in the first quarter.
Would be kicking himself for giving a silly 50 metre penalty, which gifted the Hawks a goal in the first quarter.
Kieran Briggs: B-
Initially struggled against Meek but found his way into the match, which included a miraculous goal in stoppage.
Initially struggled against Meek but found his way into the match, which included a miraculous goal in stoppage.
Finn Callaghan: A
What a game he had despite the Giants losing. 833 metres gained, 34 disposals, six clearances, and he kicked GWS’ opening goal. He couldn’t have done much more.
What a game he had despite the Giants losing. 833 metres gained, 34 disposals, six clearances, and he kicked GWS’ opening goal. He couldn’t have done much more.
Tom Green: B
Played his typical game of finding the ball in the contest and handballing it out on the outside.
Played his typical game of finding the ball in the contest and handballing it out on the outside.
Joe Fonti: C+
Showed his pace throughout the day, having been able to outrun the Hawks' defenders from within the defensive 50.
Showed his pace throughout the day, having been able to outrun the Hawks' defenders from within the defensive 50.
Jake Riccardi: C
A mixed bag for Riccardi. Was regularly beaten in the ruck but was able to mark the ball consistently throughout.
A mixed bag for Riccardi. Was regularly beaten in the ruck but was able to mark the ball consistently throughout.
Xavier O'Halloran: C-
Harvey Thomas: C+
Got moved into a starting position with Kelly starting as the sub. Managed to get on the scoreboard but wasn’t able to do much beyond that.
Got moved into a starting position with Kelly starting as the sub. Managed to get on the scoreboard but wasn’t able to do much beyond that.
Jake Stringer: D
The Package didn’t deliver much in his return game. He only managed the two behinds for the match.
The Package didn’t deliver much in his return game. He only managed the two behinds for the match.
Hawthorn
Blake Hardwick: B-
Did his job in keeping Greene to just 12 disposals and two behinds. You can’t ask more than that.
Did his job in keeping Greene to just 12 disposals and two behinds. You can’t ask more than that.
Tom Barrass: B
The stat line doesn’t do Barrass justice in a game like this. Had the important match-up on Jesse Hogan and kept his impact minimal for the majority of the match despite Hogan kicking three.
The stat line doesn’t do Barrass justice in a game like this. Had the important match-up on Jesse Hogan and kept his impact minimal for the majority of the match despite Hogan kicking three.
Josh Battle: C+
Was overshadowed by Barrass and Sicily in defence.
Was overshadowed by Barrass and Sicily in defence.
Jarman Impey: A+
Won plenty of ball from half back. He struggled initially to get it beyond the Giants' half but found a way through, and boy did he. With 964 metres gained, his ball movement was exceptional to say the least.
Won plenty of ball from half back. He struggled initially to get it beyond the Giants' half but found a way through, and boy did he. With 964 metres gained, his ball movement was exceptional to say the least.
James Sicily: B
Massimo D'Ambrossio: B-
Karl Amon: B+
Scored a goal during the Hawks’ initial run in the first quarter. Also laid a goal-saving tackle on Jesse Hogan in the goal square, showing his impact on both sides of the ball.
Scored a goal during the Hawks’ initial run in the first quarter. Also laid a goal-saving tackle on Jesse Hogan in the goal square, showing his impact on both sides of the ball.
Josh Ward: C+
Dylan Moore: C-
Gave away the ball, which gifted the Giants their first goal. Had a shot on goal to give the Hawks a seven-point lead, but missed, and the Giants made the most of it. Not his best game for the Hawks.
Gave away the ball, which gifted the Giants their first goal. Had a shot on goal to give the Hawks a seven-point lead, but missed, and the Giants made the most of it. Not his best game for the Hawks.
Connor MacDonald: B+
Was able to find plenty of uncontested ball with three first-half goals to boot.
Was able to find plenty of uncontested ball with three first-half goals to boot.
Mabior Chol: A-
Under pressure to perform in finals, he certainly delivered in spades. He dominated Riccardi in the ruck and gained a couple of centre clearances, which got the ball forward for the Hawks in the first. And in the forward line, he kicked two fourth-quarter goals.
Under pressure to perform in finals, he certainly delivered in spades. He dominated Riccardi in the ruck and gained a couple of centre clearances, which got the ball forward for the Hawks in the first. And in the forward line, he kicked two fourth-quarter goals.
Nick Watson: C+
Jack Ginnivan: B
Plenty of celebrations to go around with three goals to his name. Could have been more effective with the ball in hand.
Plenty of celebrations to go around with three goals to his name. Could have been more effective with the ball in hand.
Calshear Dear: D
Was subbed out for Jiath in the third. He didn’t have the same impact in this one as he did in last year’s elimination final.
Was subbed out for Jiath in the third. He didn’t have the same impact in this one as he did in last year’s elimination final.
Jack Gunston: B+
Backed up his All-Australian selection with three first-half goals, making Idun look second-rate.
Backed up his All-Australian selection with three first-half goals, making Idun look second-rate.
Lloyd Meek: B
Started well against Briggs in the ruck, which helped generate some scoring chances from centre clearances. But the GWS big man would nullify his effect towards the latter stages.
Started well against Briggs in the ruck, which helped generate some scoring chances from centre clearances. But the GWS big man would nullify his effect towards the latter stages.
Jai Newcombe: A
The Prince of Poowong was Hawthorn’s best in the first half. Opened the Hawks' scoring account with a superb running goal, which set them up for a strong first quarter. Didn’t have the same impact in the second half, but it didn’t matter.
The Prince of Poowong was Hawthorn’s best in the first half. Opened the Hawks' scoring account with a superb running goal, which set them up for a strong first quarter. Didn’t have the same impact in the second half, but it didn’t matter.
James Worpel: B-
Jack Scrimshaw: C-
A quiet game for Scrimshaw, but it prevented Hogan from scoring with two minutes left.
Connor Nash: C
Josh Weddle: B-
In his return to the AFL side, Weddle had a quiet first half. But in the third, he lifted with 11 disposals, helping the Hawks.
In his return to the AFL side, Weddle had a quiet first half. But in the third, he lifted with 11 disposals, helping the Hawks.
Sam Butler: B
In the most important moment of his AFL career, Butler nailed the set shot, which provided a steadying effect to the Hawks late in the fourth.
In the most important moment of his AFL career, Butler nailed the set shot, which provided a steadying effect to the Hawks late in the fourth.
SUB: Changkuoth Jiath
Subbed in in the third quarter.
Subbed in in the third quarter.
