Hawthorn Hawks vs Adelaide Crows: AFL live scores, blog

Hawthorn captain Ben McEvoy returns to the team for the first time since Round 2 as the Hawks aim to reverse a poor recent run of form against the travelling Adelaide. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 3:20pm (AEST).

Whilst neither the Hawks nor Crows will feature in the 2022 finals, both have plenty to play for across the final seven weeks of the season.

It is likely that both with be much improved teams in 2023 and coaches Sam Mitchell and Matthew Nicks will have spent the current season analysing their lists and strategizing for a 2023 campaign that they hope, will return their proud clubs back into premiership contention.

After some early promise, the Hawks have now lost five in a row and appear to be lacking the consistency and application required to threaten on a week-to-week basis. Despite bold efforts against the Dockers and Pies, losses to GWS, Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast have exposed their weaknesses, and another loss today against the Crows will have many wondering just how successful the transition to Mitchell’s leadership has been.

Adelaide have wins against the Kangaroos and West Coast over the last month that have somewhat brought their supporter base back to life; and should the Crows grab their sixth win of the season against the Hawks today, a little late-season momentum may well have been built.

Team news sees the Hawks with a host of players ruled out due to injury, and Jack Gunston unavailable for personal reasons. Ben McEvoy is back, yet the troops do appear to be stretched for this clash.

Adelaide lose young star Josh Rachele, yet Matt Crouch returns for his 11th match of the season, looking to cement himself back into the Crows’ best 22.

Prediction

With the challenges of unavailability hitting the Hawthorn camp and their recent run of form, this could well be the day for the Crows to strike, despite being on the road. There has been some steady mid-season improvement from Adelaide, with Taylor Walker key to their recent performances.

A hard-fought win against a slightly undermanned Hawks appears to be where the smart money will be heading.

Crows by 11 points.

Game information

Opening bounce: 3:20pm (AEST)
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
TV: Fox Footy, Channel 7
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Betting: Hawks $1.58, Crows $2.40 (odds via PlayUp)

Hawthorn

B: J. Blanck, J. Scrimshaw, D. Grainger-Barras

HB: J. Impey, J. Sicily, B. Hardwick

C: C. Jiath, J. Newcombe, H. Morrison

HF: L. Breust, C. Nash, M. Lewis

F: J. Koschitzke, B. McEvoy (c), D. Moore

FOLL: N. Reeves, T. Mitchell, J. O’Meara

I/C: J. Ward, C. Macdonald, F. Maginness, J. Morris

EMG: D. Howe, L. Shiels, K. Hartigan, J. Serong

IN: McEvoy, Grainger-Barras, Maginness, Morris, Ward

OUT: Gunston, Worpel, Bramble, Butler, Day

Adelaide

B: T. Doedee, J. Butts, J. Dawson

HB: P. Parnell, N. Murray, B. Smith

C: J. Hately, R. Laird, C. Jones

HF: W. Milera, D. Fogarty, J. Soligo

F: N. McHenry, T. Walker, J. Rowe

FOLL: R. O’Brien, B. Keays (c), S. Berry

I/C: M. Crouch, R. Thilthorpe, W. Hamill, H. Schoenberg

EMG: L. Murphy, E. Himmelberg, L. Sholl, B. Davis

IN: Crouch, McHenry, HamillA

OUT: Rachele, Murphy, Hinge