Crows Soar Late to Sink Hawks in Thrilling Adelaide Oval Clash
What a Friday night blockbuster that turned out to be! If you missed the Round 21 clash between Adelaide and Hawthorn, let me walk you through what was an absolute rollercoaster of a game at Adelaide Oval, where over 50,000 fans packed the stands and were treated to a finals-worthy contest.
Adelaide came into the game in red-hot form after big wins over Gold Coast and Port Adelaide, and they were looking to solidify a top-two spot. Meanwhile, Hawthorn knew this was a must-win if they wanted to keep their finals hopes alive—and they gave it everything.
Right from the bounce, it felt like a tightrope. The Hawks jumped out to an early lead and really brought the heat. By the final change, they actually led by 8 points, and the momentum seemed to be with them. But then came the fourth quarter, and oh boy, that’s when things exploded.
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Izak Rankine—who had been fairly quiet for the first three quarters—completely turned it on in the last. He had seven disposals, two goals, a goal assist, and two clearances in just that term alone. It was like he flipped a switch. One of those goals? A jaw-dropper from the pocket while being tackled—sheer brilliance.
The game was swung back and forth with goals from both sides, but it was the Crows’ composure in front of goal that ultimately proved the difference. Tex Walker, the veteran, showed exactly why he’s so highly respected. He slotted two huge set shots late in the game, both under intense pressure, both absolute daggers. Those kicks steadied the ship when it mattered most.
Meanwhile, the Hawks had their chances but couldn’t convert. Jack Gunston was solid all night with four goals, but misses from Watson and D’Ambrosio in the final minutes really hurt them. In those pressure moments, accuracy becomes everything—and the Crows made theirs count.
Jordan Dawson, the Crows' skipper, was another standout. His 21 disposals, 11 tackles, and two goals showed real leadership. Massimo D’Ambrosio did all he could for the Hawks with 25 disposals and five clearances, but it just wasn’t quite enough.
In the end, Adelaide kicked 6.2 to Hawthorn’s 2.4 in the final quarter and claimed a 14-point win—15.11 (101) to 13.9 (87). It was a match that felt like a finals preview and confirmed that the Crows aren’t just contenders—they’re genuine threats.
What a night.
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