Stats that matter: Your guide to Adelaide’s clash with Hawthorn
Can the Crows bounce back from their loss against Collingwood, or will the Hawks continue to soar from eighth place? See our guide to the AFL’s first semi-final between Adelaide and Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval.
A GUIDE TO THE FIRST AFL SEMI-FINAL BETWEEN ADELAIDE AND HAWTHORN:
* When: Friday, 7.40pm AEST
* Where: Adelaide Oval
* The form:
Adelaide: After claiming the minor premiership and entering the finals on a nine-game winning stretch, slumped to a four-goal loss to Collingwood in a home qualifying final.
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Hawthorn: Finished eighth on the ladder with a 15-8 win-loss record and produced a gutsy 19-point away triumph over GWS in an elimination final classic.
* Head-to-head
Overall: Played: 51. Adelaide 23 wins, 28 losses
In finals: Played: 4. Adelaide 1 win, 3 losses
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Last time: Round 21, 2025: Adelaide 15.11 (101) bt Hawthorn 13.9 (87) at Adelaide Oval
Last final: Semi-final, 2015: Hawthorn 21.9 (135) bt Adelaide 8.13 (61) at the MCG
* Key players:
Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide). The towering forward booted two goals in the qualifying final, was influential in stints in the ruck but also had some wobbly moments. Still looms as the Crows’ most dangerous attacker.
Jai Newcombe (Hawthorn). Superb in the elimination final with 32 disposals – 17 of them contested – a dozen clearances and eight score involvements. The Hawks’ prime mover with consistent excellence in the clinches.
Jordan Dawson (Adelaide). By his lofty standards, was subdued by the Magpies with 19 disposals – only twice this season has he had fewer touches in a game. The captain will face a tight tag from Conor Nash.
Jack Gunston (Hawthorn). Flashy teammates capture most attention but the 33-year-old remains his side’s attacking linchpin. Booted three goals against GWS for a season tally of 65; his experience and nous troubles every defence.
* The stat: If the Crows lose, they’ll be the first VFL/AFL minor premier to be ditched from the finals in so-called straight sets since North Melbourne in 1983.
-with AAP
