Hawks Stun Crows as Merrett Saga Rocks Essendon
What a dramatic week in footy it has been. The Adelaide Oval became the centre of attention on Friday night, as Hawthorn pulled off one of the biggest upsets in AFL finals history. The Hawks, who just scraped into September from eighth place, demolished the minor premiers Adelaide by 34 points. That result not only silenced a crowd of more than 52,000 fans but also etched Hawthorn into the history books as the first-ever eighth-placed side to knock off the top-ranked team in a final.
From the opening bounce, Adelaide looked rattled. Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe tore through the middle with three early clearances, setting up three quick goals that left the Crows on the back foot almost immediately. It was relentless pressure, and Adelaide never really recovered. Their forward line looked lost, their defenders overwhelmed, and their usual crisp ball movement broke down under the Hawks’ intensity.
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The night truly belonged to Jack Gunston. At nearly 34 years of age, the veteran forward turned back the clock, booting five goals against the very club that drafted him back in 2009. His tally of 70 goals this season marks a career-best in his 16th year, and his performance against Adelaide was described by his coach Sam Mitchell as beyond expectations. Gunston was brought back to the Hawks mainly to mentor the young group, but instead, he has become their match-winner on the biggest stage. His five-goal haul was the difference, tormenting Adelaide’s defenders and reminding everyone why he is considered a Hawthorn great.
For Adelaide, the pain of a straight-sets exit will sting for years. It was the first time since 1983 that a minor premier has been bundled out of the finals without a single win. Coach Matthew Nicks admitted that the suspension of Izak Rankine had shifted the team’s dynamic, though whether his presence would have altered the outcome will never be known. Now, the club faces not only reflection but also big decisions, including whether veteran Taylor Walker continues his career into an 18th season.
While Hawthorn celebrated their return to a preliminary final for the first time since 2015, drama was brewing elsewhere. Essendon captain Zach Merrett was revealed to have met with Sam Mitchell just days before the semi-final. Despite having two years left on his contract, Merrett’s interest in leaving the Bombers has sparked outrage. His teammates Mason Redman and Nic Martin expressed their disappointment, saying they felt hurt and let down by their leader. Coach Brad Scott didn’t hold back either, declaring “the gloves are off” in response to Mitchell’s approach.
Essendon’s leadership has been firm: Merrett is not for trade. President Dave Barham wrote to members, assuring them that both Merrett and defender Jordan Ridley will remain at the club. Yet, with Merrett’s intentions becoming clearer, speculation about his future will only intensify in the weeks ahead.
So, on one hand, we’ve got Hawthorn riding a wave of belief into a blockbuster preliminary final against Geelong. On the other, Essendon finds itself fighting to keep hold of its captain amid rising internal unrest. Finals footy always delivers storylines, but this week, it’s given us both triumph and turmoil in equal measure.
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