Hawthorn is preliminary final bound off the back of Jai Newcombe’s latest finals masterclass.

Plus Jack Gunston’s stunning 2025 continues, but Jack Ginnivan misses out.

We rate every Hawthorn player out of 10 from their semi final win over Adelaide.

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2. Mitch Lewis

Had Nick Murray as an opponent. Subbed out halfway through the third term with four touches and one mark. 2

3. Jai Newcombe

Best finals player since Dustin Martin? The numbers are hard to argue against now. Nick Watson on Fox Footy post-game labelled him “Mr September”. His first quarter was “breathtaking”, according to Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon, amassing 11 disposals, six clearances and four inside 50s. Lyon said: “He’s an enormous problem for Adelaide … He’s blown the game open.” Quietened off a little in the second term, but the damage had already been done. It was fitting he put the nail in the Adelaide coffin in the fourth quarter with a goal. Finished with 28 touches, 16 contested possessions and 10 score involvements. 9

4. Jarman Impey

Looked so strong behind the ball. Some solid intercept marks late when the Crows tried to will themselves back into the game. 6

5. James Worpel

Another solid midfield outing with 22 touches and five clearances. Pulled off a brilliant play in the third term when he plucked a one-handed mark then speared a pass to Jack Gunston for a set-shot goal. 6

6. James Sicily

Stood next to Darcy Fogarty initially but also spent time on Taylor Walker. Gave away a touchy high free kick that led to a James Peatling set-shot goal, but was crucial all night in setting the Hawks up from defence. Had 21 touches, nine marks and 400m gained. 7

9. Changkuoth Jiath

Like last week, started as the sub and was activated halfway through the third term. Was caught holding the ball in his defensive goalsquare late in the third term, which led to a Luke Pedlar goal. Not a massive impact on the contest. 2

10. Karl Amon

Started next to Luke Pedlar. Drifted forward in the opening minutes to nail a long-bomb goal from beyond the arc. Gained plenty of territory from the back-half all night with his run and long kicking. 6

11. Conor Nash

Came off the bench and played a typical Nash game, showing strength at the coalface to finish with 17 touches and five clearances. 5

13. Dylan Moore

High-impact game. Played primarily on Max Michalanney and was busy all night. Pounced on a sloppy Crows turnover in the second term to kick a goal during an arm-wrestle period. Overall eight of his 17 touches led to Hawks scores. 7

14. Jack Scrimshaw

A brilliant performance. Completely blanketed Taylor Walker and set up so much for the Hawks out of the back-half. Had 18 touches and 10 intercepts. 8

15. Blake Hardwick

Prolific off half-back. Went to Alex Neal-Bullen at the first bounce and kept him quiet. Finished with 21 touches, eight marks and 429m gained. 7

16. Massimo D’Ambrosio

Started on a wing next to Dan Curtin. Not his most prolific game (16 disposals), but showed great courage in the fourth term, putting his body in the way of Riley Thilthorpe to stop a certain mark. 5

17. Lloyd Meek

Won the ruck battle against Reilly O’Brien. Seven of his 15 touches led to Hawks scores plus four clearances. 7

18. Mabior Chol

Was manned up by Josh Worrell. Didn’t kick a goal, but looked dangerous in the air early by taking some strong pack marks, plus competed well in the ruck when pinch-hitting. 5

19. Jack Gunston

Every time Hawthorn needed him, he was there — on the lead. Had Mark Keane for company and thumped him. Kicked the first goal of the game within the first 21 seconds. Then booted three classy set-shot majors in the third term as Hawthorn kicked away into a prelim. Finished with 5.3 from 16 disposals and seven marks. He now has 70 goals for the year. Hawks legend Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy: “He’s back to his accurate best. He disappeared for a couple of seasons, but he’s back to his rhythm … It’s frightening (how many 2025 goals he’s kicked).” 9

23. Josh Weddle

An explosive game. Started on a wing next to Isaac Cumming and exposed the Crows recruit early. Showed off his versatility by pushing forward to take a great contested mark and convert a set-shot goal in the second term, then sprinted into defence to pull off a timely spoil in the third quarter that saved a certain Crows set-shot chance. Booted 1.3 from 15 touches and seven marks. Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon said: “He’s a phenomenal athlete.” 7

24. Josh Battle

Rotated through a variety of Crows forwards, but was particularly crucial with his intercepting and rebounding early with 10 first-quarter disposals. Had a team-high 11 intercepts. 7

25. Josh Ward

On the ball all night and looked comfortable in the finals stage. Started strong with three first-term clearances then stood up in the second term with 10 touches when Jai Newcombe had been restricted. Finished with a team-high 31 disposals, 14 contested possessions and six inside 50s. 8

30. Sam Butler

Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon declared: “He’s played his best footy at the very best time.” Started on the bench before settling at half-forward with a few centre bounce looks. Defensive pressure was brilliant all night (nine tackles) and was rewarded offensively with two second-half goals to go with 15 disposals. 7

31. Connor Macdonald

Had Mitch Hinge before the Crow was subbed out. Kicked an opportunist goal in the third term when the Hawks were rolling. Seven of his 18 touches led to Hawks scores. 6

33. Jack Ginnivan

Not that he’ll mind too much, but missed out on the Hawks party. Had Rory Laird for company early and was held scoreless from eight touches and zero tackles. 3

34. Nick Watson

Like he did in Hawthorn’s semi-final last year, lit up Adelaide Oval with several moments of brilliance. Wayne Milera went to him at the first bounce before pulling off a clever snap goal then a Jason Akermanis-like moment where he slotted a second major from the tightest of angles. Nine of his 13 touches led to Hawks scores. Looked dangerous and electric every time the ball went near him. 7

37. Tom Barrass

As expected went straight to Riley Thilthorpe, who kicked three goals and had the better of Barrass. 4