Hawks Stun Adelaide in 13-Second Blitz That Ended Dreams
It only took thirteen seconds for Adelaide’s dream to unravel. After an entire week of build-up, hope, and pure excitement in South Australia, the semi-final against Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval was silenced almost instantly. Fans had poured their voices and energy into this campaign — naming pets after their heroes, donning fake beards in tribute to Riley Thilthorpe, and embracing every story the local media could publish about their Crows. It felt like more than football; it felt like the city itself was pulsing with Adelaide pride.
But then came Friday night. As Jordan Dawson led his team out to a thunderous roar, the stadium was alive with anticipation. That roar swelled again as the first bounce hit the turf. And then — silence. Within 13 seconds, Hawthorn surged forward, Jai Newcombe leading the charge, and Jack Gunston slammed home the opening goal. It was the first strike in what became a merciless Hawthorn blitz. By the time Adelaide fans even caught sight of Jack Ginnivan to unleash their usual boos, the Hawks had piled on three majors.
Also Read:The Crows fought back briefly, leveling the score after 13 minutes, and the crowd tried to find its voice again. But the early damage lingered. The confidence, the electricity, the sense of destiny that had carried Adelaide all week never returned in full. Each misstep, each fumbled disposal, and each wayward kick seemed to sap belief further. For the Hawks, it was all part of the plan. As forward Mabior Chol admitted afterwards, the team’s focus had been on creating their own energy and silencing the Crows’ faithful. It was executed with ruthless precision.
Gunston wound back the clock with five goals, the kind of performance that rips the heart out of opponents. Jai Newcombe dominated in the middle, while Josh Weddle chipped in with key moments and high-flying cameos. Around them, Hawthorn’s midfield machine buzzed, handballing with speed, forcing turnovers, and cutting through Adelaide’s attempts to hold them back.
For the Crows, their stars struggled. Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty barely saw the ball. Thilthorpe had flashes, but not enough to turn the tide. By the third quarter, the sight of fans trickling out of Adelaide Oval told its own story. A season that promised so much ended with heads buried in hands, beers, and disappointment.
In contrast, Hawthorn looked every bit like a team ready for more. Coach Sam Mitchell’s influence was clear — his players spoke about the belief and freedom he instilled in them, urging them to use their unique weapons. That trust has transformed a side that was just happy to be in finals last year into one that now believes it belongs.
For Adelaide, this was their first September campaign since 2017, and maybe the weight of expectation proved too much. Finals, after all, are about creating moments. The Hawks created them. The Crows were left chasing them. By the end, their voices had faded, their spirits deflated, and their hopes — gone in just 13 seconds.
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