Hawthorn overcame inclement weather and a plucky Port Adelaide side as they recorded their 12th win of the season, edging closer to securing a second consecutive finals berth and keeping alive their top four chance.
In their last home game for the year at their Tasmanian fortress of UTAS Stadium, the Hawks final quarter surge saw them run out 38-point victors and end a three-game losing streak against Port.
In front of a crowd of over 12,000 fans, the two teams came out combative in the first quarter, with multiple fracas threatening to break out, with two of the first three goals coming from down field free kicks.
Hawks skipper James Sicily was felled by Ollie Lord, resulting in a shot on goal for Calsher Dear, while moments later Sicily was again involved, this time giving away a free kick to Jack Lukosius, who duly converted, giving Port two goals inside of 60 seconds.
The Power, who had the significant wind advantage in the 1st quarter, were unable to take advantage of the situation and went in tied at the quarter-time break.
Using the wind to their advantage, the Hawks took a two-goal lead at half time, before holding steady in the third quarter as the undermanned Power outfit struggled to get enough forward 50 entries to trouble them.
With the wind at their backs in the last quarter, the Hawks burst clear from the Power with a five-goal final term blitz, allowing them to run out convincing winners and put a final nail Port Adelaide's finals hopes. The Power needed to win every game on the run home to give departing coach Ken Hinkley an opportunity to secure a premiership in his 13th and final season at Alberton.
With the Power missing important midfield cogs in Jason Horne-Francis and Connor Rozee, Hawthorn head coach Sam Mitchell sent Finn Maginness to him to quell his impact on the game.
Butters was unable to shake free of the Maginness tag, gathering 18 possessions but unable to help the Power gain midfield dominance and dominate territory on a day when it was needed most.
Mitchell has been reluctant to use Maginness in a tagging role this season and after refusing to use him in the last quarter last week against Fremantle where Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw set up the Dockers win, most felt the tag wouldn't be seen.
However, knowing their finals chances were on the line and with Butters' Gather Round performance against the Hawks fresh in his mind, Mitchell surprised many with Maginness going to Butters and not leaving his side throughout the game.
With Cam Mackenzie omitted, star midfielder Will Day still a week away from returning and key Hawthorn duo Lloyd Meek and Jai Newcombe well held by Port counterparts Willam Drew and Jordan Sweet, the Hawks needed someone to step up to propel them to victory.
Young midfielder Josh Ward stepped up with his work in the centre, showing why the Hawks were keen to secure his signature on a four year deal he recently signed.
With many struggling to adapt to the wet, wild and windy conditions, Ward's clean hands and one-touch pick up around congestion meant the Hawks were able to get the ball going forward, as he gathered 26 touches and six clearances in another positive game as an inside midfielder.
Half forward Dylan Moore, who had struggled to replicate his 2024 All Australian form, was given more license in the midfield and showed his importance to the Hawks if they're to go deep into the 2025 season.
25-year-old Moore had 32 disposals, nine tackles and two goals, as he used his impressive work rate to find space and help set up the Hawks attacking forays.
The Hawks adapted to the tough conditions better around congestion, winning the contested possession count by 38 as they willed themselves at every contest to be first to the ball.
Conor Nash and James Worpel were important in close for the Hawks, gathering 28 contested possessions between them, while registering 20 tackles combined.
With the midfield eventually overwhelming Port Adelaide as the game went on, the Hawks forward line were able to get many quality opportunities from their 65 forward 50 entries.
Veteran Jack Gunston continued to show that there is plenty left in his old legs, kicking three goals and being involved in seven scoring chains.
His junior forward line partner Calsher Dear showed that he is over his back stress fracture that hampered his 2025 pre-season, kicking two goals from his ten touches, while having six score involvements and two contested marks.
With the game on the line in the last quarter, Mitchell sent small defender Jarman Impey forward in a move that ripped open the contest.
Despite being impressive with his rebound from defence during the first three quarters, it was Impey's last quarter that stood out, where he used his pace and football IQ to terrorise the Power defence.
Impey's final quarter haul of 3.1 from his seven touches showed that Mitchell has another potential ace up his sleeve, with the experienced Hawks versatility and flexibility a potential challenge for teams to plan for.
Small forward Jack Ginnivan had the last laugh, kicking a last quarter goal and pulling out a cheeky airplane celebration directed at Ken Hinkley, which was a response to his infamous gesture towards the forward after Port Adelaide's three-point victory over the Hawks in last year's Semi Final.
Hawthorn's defence set up strongly throughout the clash, not allowing the Power's forward line to get separation and attacking chances from their limited forward 50 entries.
Jack Scrimshaw returned to the Hawks backline after a string of strong performances at VFL level for Box Hill and showed his class.
194 cm Scrimshaw gathered 18 touches and eight intercepts, while tackling and hitting contests with vigour, as he looks to cement in his place in the team after struggling with injuries and form through the early part of 2025.
Small defender Blake Hardwick was the general down back, setting up as the loose man in defence and helping to stop any quick entries from the Power.
Hardwick ended the clash with 27 disposals, eight intercepts and 840 metres gained as he proved his importance to the team as a defender, after being experimented with as a forward earlier in the season.
Skipper James Sicily overcame his early first quarter indiscretion and showed positive signs that the important Hawthorn defender is bouncing back to his All Australian best.
Sicily had 12 intercept possessions in his total of 21 touches and ran at an impressive 86% disposal efficiency in the scrappy conditions. He looks to have regained confidence after managing a hip injury that affected his disposal ability.
Substitute Bailey MacDonald gave the Hawks run and dash in the last term, using his speed to nullify Port Adelaide's attack.
The 20 year old, who was playing his 7th senior game since being drafted in the 2022 AFL National Draft, kicked his first career goal with a superb individual effort, where he hit a loose ball at speed before snapping it through off his right foot and drawing wild celebrations from his teammates.
After securing their 4th win this year at UTAS Stadium and making it a clean sweep of wins at the venue for the second year running, the Hawks now have a short five-day turnaround before their clash against Carlton at the MCG on Thursday night. It will be an important encounter as they look to build momentum towards a likely second consecutive finals series.
