Round 5 begins with two teams on a roll facing off, as the Hawthorn Hawks host the Adelaide Crows at the MCG. Join The Roar from 7:40pm (AEST) for all the action.
Both sides come into this game off the back of three successive wins, however they are playing with styles from different ends of the spectrum.
Hawthorn were lucky to get the points last week, falling in against a resilient St Kilda side. Scores were level heading into the final term, with experience and knowledge of how to win close games coming to the fore for the Hawks.
Adelaide were involved in a tight tussle as well, holding off a previously unbeaten Sydney side.
In what has been called the game of the season so far, Eddie Betts stood up in the final term to edge the home side clear.
Despite the win last week, Alastair Clarkson would not have been happy with his team, especially having let St Kilda dominate in terms of disposals (410), and allowing them to enter inside 50 on 46 occasions.
Adelaide have lost their last six against the Hawks, and were on the back of a 74-point hammering the last time they played, in last year’s semi-finals. With a large crowd expected, tonight will have a similar feel.
If the Crows are to get the win, they’ll need to continue to be strong in clearances, something they are excelling at in 2016, with Sam Jacobs’ form in the ruck a big reason.
The match-up between Sam Mitchell and Rory Sloane will be worth the price of admission alone. Mitchell set a club record 44 disposals last week, and a similar effort from the star midfielder would see the Hawks a long way towards victory.
The defensive pressure of Hawthorn is another key towards a win, with the Hawks leading the competition with over 81 tackles per game. In a tight tussle, this could get them over the line.
Prediction
In what has serious match-of-the-round claims, we’re sticking with Hawthorn at the ‘G, although Adelaide will be right in it until the final siren.
Hawthorn by 8
Gargoyle
Guest
Hawthorn change of name - no longer the "three-peaters", now they are the "three-pointers"...
Peppsy
Roar Guru
Anyone who's complaint about umps didn't watch the whole game, only the last minutes. They were consistently terrible all night, against both teams. And if you think otherwise, either way, have a go at watching a game without bias next time.
rasty
Guest
Totally agree. What is going on? WTF should Hawks still be getting preferential treatment by the AFL umps? Does the AFL wish for them to have another flag?
Kurt
Guest
I'm not sure what you mean by 'Hawks fans may have to suck it up'? As a Hawks fan I have no problem accepting we've been lucky in the past 3 games and that in an entirely fair world we'd have won 1 or at best 2 of those 3 games. But that's the nature of the game, sometimes the cards fall your way. My major concern is that we're using up all our luck too early in the season!
Brendon the 1st
Guest
:I'm a totally impartial supporter, a Port fan who doesn't have any love for either of these teams......but. The umps won this game for Hawthorn, Adelaide were the better team all night, Shiels should get an academy award for his little act when Crouch pushed him in the stomach. Ruined a good game of football for mine.
Peppsy
Roar Guru
If the crows put in a complaint they'll be greeted with a montage of throws and drops from throughout the game which should've been paid against them but weren't. The umpires weren't good, but they were consistent.
Peppsy
Roar Guru
Iffy push in the back when more iffy had been paid too Adelaide. Consistency is the name of the umpires game
Sir Ossis
Guest
My favourite part is the embarrassed silence from Fox commentary after, yet another, dodgy pro Hawthorn call. These gutless hacks have clearly been warned off any adverse comments about umpires, or lose your soft $120k per year gig. Gutless... boys. All of you. Well done Gillon. You've shut down comments on 'on-whistle matters'. Morrison would be proud. You've lost me you dud. I will now return to radio or watching with the sound turned off. I hope others follow suite and some Fox/Seven advertisers become aware how futile their paid adverts are.
Lamby
Roar Rookie
Hawks about 6 goals from frees. Incredible!
flabbergasted
Guest
IF Hawthorn isn't the most well looked after team in AFL by the men in Green, i will walk to China. Green men have ruined the game.
Sean Teuma
Roar Guru
That's me signing out for the night. Hope you enjoyed the game (what a thriller it was!). Make sure you tune in tomorrow for a big Saturday of AFL action, starting with what should be another cracking game with Sydney hosting West Coast.
Sean Teuma
Roar Guru
THE ROAR MVP 3 Points - Paul Puopolo (Hawthorn) - A stellar performance from the small forward. Booted home 5 goals and was enormous in the final quarter, including kicking the match winner. 2 Points - Rory Sloane (Adelaide) - Another dazzling display with ball in hand, his 26 disposals and 7 tackles were a tremendous effort in a beaten side. 1 Point - Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) - Came up huge in the final quarter, and ended the game with 4 goals. His clever touches and impact on the game was big.
VivGilchrist
Guest
Terrible umpiring. Killed the game. Ushered Hawthorn back in the match. Speechless.
Nev
Guest
No premierships are won in April. Bank the points, move on, prime the team for September and top 4 if you're good enough.
Sean Teuma
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT - HAWTHORN 112, ADELAIDE 109 A last minute goal from Paul Puopolo has given Hawthorn their fourth consecutive win, with a thrilling 112-109 defeat of Adelaide at the MCG. The Hawks overturned a 15-point deficit with less than five minutes to play, kicking the final three goals. Incredibly, it was their third consecutive win by a margin of three points. The star was Puopolo, who kicked five goals, including the last minute match winner, to go along with 23 disposals. His partnership in the forward line with Cyril Rioli was a critical factor in the Hawks escaping jail on yet another occasion in 2016. Adelaide looked to have the game at their mercy in various stages of the final term, with Luke Brown’s fourth career goal stretching the lead out to 15, before Puopolo and Rioli took over in the final five minutes. They’ll be left to rue what was a golden opportunity to grab the scalp of the defending premiers in Melbourne, and end a run of six successive defeats to Hawthorn. Rory Sloane was outstanding in a losing side, gathering 26 disposals and laying on some classy touched for his teammates. Scott Thompson had a game-high 33 disposals for the Crows as well. The first quarter was fast and free flowing, as the Crows raced out to a 16-point lead at the first break. Hawthorn lifted the intensity in the second term however, using their defence to get back into the game, taking a slight two point lead at the main break. The win puts Hawthorn temporarily in second spot on the ladder, before they travel to Western Sydney to take on the Giants next week. Adelaide slips to eighth following the loss, but will have a chance to bounce back when they host Fremantle.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Where are the Hawks supporters saying they deserved that one?
Internal Fixation
Guest
Tha AFL need to seriously retrain these officials. The Crows need to put in an official complaint and push the AFL on this. This disgrace to the game can swing any match and while I didn't care who won today to see borderline call after call go against the Crows and then an obvious incorrect disposal not called with 2 umpires 10 metres away demonstrates obvious bias that needs to be stamped out.
anon
Guest
Umps just itching to give a free to Hawthorn there. Channel 7 commentators unable to suppress their elation. In the long run these victories just hurt Hawthorn because now they'll actually believe they can coast and come back at will. They'll believe the hype that they're the comeback kings. At the end of the day Geelong beat them on the scoreboard and statistically in round 1. Round 2 pumped the Eagles. Round 3 get the win on a very lucky 3 on 5, Burgoyne throws the ball on the boot and an injured Murphy who is illegally shepherded is unable to make a spoil. Sicily slots a 50/50 goal from 45 out. Lost every key stat, were dominated for large periods. Round 4 they were matched by a young, weak Saints team. With more experience and composure the Saints are able to lock the game down. Round 5 won on the back of an iffy push in the back. Puopolo slots a 50/50 kick on the angle from about 40-45m out.
Graeme
Guest
4 points to the umpires. Have to feel sorry for the Crows.
Chancho
Roar Rookie
Take it easy champ, is this the first time you've had a drink?