Adelaide and Hawthorn are all set to battle in the city of churches to round out Round 20, as the Hawks hope to continue their push for a once-improbable finals berth.
The Crows (7-1-10, 104.7%) – while still mathematically in finals calculations – will be realistically more focused on building their confidence and continuity ahead of 2025.
For the Hawks (10-8, 100.1%), a win could see them remarkably jump into the top eight should the Bulldogs lose to Sydney this afternoon, while a loss could see them slip down to 12th.
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Adelaide have made three changes to their side after last Friday’s win over Essendon, with Taylor Walker, James Borlase and Chayce Jones all included.
Captain Jordan Dawson, Nick Murray and Jordan Butts will all miss through injury though, leaving a noticeable hole in their midfield and defence.
Visitors Hawthorn have headed into the clash unchanged from last week, a picture of their perfect health and team continuity.
The match will get underway at Adelaide Oval at 4:10pm AEST.
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There was one late change for the Crows, with Brodie Smith (illness) replaced by top draft pick Dan Curtin.
The substitutes for the respective sides are Curtin (Adelaide) and Finn Maginness (Hawthorn).
Luke Breust hit the ground running in the first quarter, kicking two goals inside the first five and a half minutes.
He was matched and then some by opposition star Taylor walker however, who kicked 2.1 of his own inside the first 13 minutes.
Connor Macdonald and Nick Watson also hit the scoreboard early for the Hawks, giving their side a 10-point lead halfway through the first quarter.
And Dylan Moore kicked truly from a set shot not long after Watson’s goal on the run to kick Hawthorn’s fifth for the quarter with plenty of time before the first siren.
The Crows fought back strongly however, with Ben Keays and Lachie Murphy threading the needle with their respective shots for goal.
And Keays’ goal in particular caught the humour of Melbourne Brownlow Medal winner Gerard Healy in commentary – referencing last year’s nightmare goal umpiring decision that cost them a spot in finals.
At quarter time, the score read: Adelaide 5.6 (36) leading Hawthorn’s 5.0 (30).
“They (Adelaide) have been awesome at taking the ball off them (Hawthorn), and then they go to an oversized forward line,” Hawthorn legened Dermott Brereton said at quarter time.
It took 10 minutes for a major in the second term, but Hawk Jai Newcombe broke the deadlock with a piercing drop punt 45 metres out in congestion to give his side a one-point lead.
But energetic Crow Josh Rachele answered straight away with a goal from set shot, after being hit high directly in front of goal.
Calsher Dear, Will Day and Mabior Chol finished out the quarter though with three majors, as Day’s in particular stole the show in a clean passage of play.
At half time, the scorecard read: Adelaide 6.6 (42) trailing Hawthorn 9.3 (57).
The Crows’ Jake Soligo led the disposal count on ground with 18 touches and seven clearances, while teammate Sam Berry had amassed seven tackles.
For the Hawks, Day had five inside 50s at the end of the first half.
Jarman Impey, Jack Ginnivan and Watson all kicked quick goals to start the second half, putting the Crows to the sword.
Jai Newcombe kicked the fourth and final goal of the quarter, as the Crows trailed by seven goals at the final break.
Matthew Nicks’ side went goalless in the third term, with just one goal since quarter time.
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Source Agencies