Hawks surge late to avoid epic finals meltdown after blowing 42-point lead against GWS
Hawthorn has survived an orange tsunami at Engie Stadium, booking their semi final ticket despite blowing a 42-point lead.
The win was their first ever at the venue, breaking an eight-game losing streak in the 16.11. (107) to 13.10. (88) win over GWS.
The visitors looked home late in the third term. They had a seven goal lead and Jack Ginnivan was showing off every celebration in his bag.
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Jack Ginnivan of the Hawks celebrates a goal. via Getty Images
But that was before the Josh Kelly-led GWS kicked seven in a row to actually take the lead momentarily.
The Giants controlled the start of the contest too, the difference was they couldn't put their inside 50 dominance on the scoreboard.
A seven-goal opening quarter from the Hawks was then kickstarted by some eyes-up footy from Jai Newcombe, who caught his rivals napping after receiving a 50m penalty to finally give Hawthorn some territory.
Newcombe ran past a host of Giants defenders and nailed the first goal of the match on the run, flipping the momentum of the contest on its head.
"A brain fade of monumental proportions ... a real bad miscommunication," Gary Lyon said on commentary Fox Footy.
Hawthorn kept things rolling towards the first break to lead 44-20 in what was the most goals GWS had ever conceded in a finals game.
"It's an absolute clinic," Jonathan Brown said.
The hosts started to claw their way back into the contest, but the Hawks managed to have an answer for just about everything that was thrown at them.
Ginnivan scored a stunning goal mid-way through the second quarter and then celebrated by curiously rubbing his belly.
Things took a sour turn late in the second term as Giants forward Darcy Jones came from the ground with a knee injury.
An emotional Darcy Jones is seen in the Giants' rooms after suffering a knee injury. Fox Footy
An emotional Adam Kingsley knew immediately and the club soon after confirmed it was a torn ACL.
"There's so much sadness on the bench here," Brisbane great Alastair Lynch said.
Jones was seen in the change rooms in tears as trainers helped him across.
Hawthorn had full control at half time. Their five-goal lead largely thanks to an incredible Jai Newcombe start.
"Newcombe's playing as good a final as you're likely to see," Garry Lyon said.
We seemed to be heading towards a fizzer of a finish in the third term when Ginnivan kicked back to back goals to give Hawthorn a 42-point lead.
But from that moment on the orange tsunami crashed down and suddenly it was a six point ball game at three-quarter time.
Kelly was the spark for the Giants, finding 14 disposals, six clearances and kicking two goals in the third term after being subbed on.
"He's come on and reminded everyone what a player he is," Lyon said.
"He's ripped this game."
Josh Kelly of the Giants celebrates kicking a goal. Getty
GWS kicked seven in a row across the latter half of the third quarter and start of the fourth to somehow take the lead as Engie Stadium came unglued.
The Hawks managed to quell the momentum late in the fourth, but also failed to convert three set shot opportunities. Suddenly, their accuracy in front of goal left them and the margin couldn't be closer.
A desperate tackle from Sam Butler on Harry Himmelberg won him holding the ball and the young forward kicked the drought-breaking goal with seven minutes on the clock.
Mabior Chol kicked the next immediately from the next clearance to give the Hawks some breathing room.
Jake Riccardi had a chance with 90 seconds left to give the Giants one last chance, but his snap hit the post.
The Hawks would ultimately kick three goals in the final four minutes to secure the win.
And the Hawks would hold on in an exhausting contest, and will now face Adelaide in South Australia next weekend.
Lachie Whitfield, Tom Green and Finn Callaghan did what they could, combining for 104 disposals, while Newcombe and Jarman Impey led the way for the Hawks and were particularly dominant in the first half
Jack Gunston, Connor Macdonald and Jack Ginnivan kicked three each for the Hawks, while Jesse Hogan finished with three in his return from injury.
GWS now heads into the off-season likely knowing they fell short of expectations this year, after coming into 2025 as one of the premiership favourites.
