Hawthorn’s AFLW homecoming ended in disappointment as Adelaide claimed a 28-point victory at the Kennedy Community Centre, restricting the Hawks to just one goal before half-time.
The Crows controlled the contest from the opening exchanges and ran out 10.7 (67) to 5.9 (39) winners, spoiling both Hawthorn’s first official match at its new Dingley Village home and Emily Bates’ 100th AFLW appearance.
Adelaide’s pressure around the contest unsettled the hosts, who struggled to generate scoring opportunities and were unable to match the visitors’ work both inside and outside the stoppages.
Ebony Marinoff led the Crows with 24 disposals, 13 tackles and a goal despite close attention from Hawthorn. Maddi Newman also impressed on the wing, collecting 23 disposals and kicking a goal, while Sarah Goodwin added 23 touches.
The result marked consecutive wins for Adelaide after its victory over West Coast last weekend and gave the Crows an emphatic response to their difficult start to the season.
Hawthorn had entered the match on a two-game winning run after overcoming Port Adelaide and Collingwood, but Daniel Webster’s side could not reproduce that form on an afternoon billed as a landmark occasion for the club.
Bates became one of the select group of players to reach 100 AFLW games, having begun her career with Brisbane before joining Hawthorn for the 2023 season. The milestone was overshadowed, however, as Adelaide maintained control through the second half and completed a convincing away victory.
