Round 15
Gold Coast v Hawthorn
7:40pm, Friday 19th June 2026
People First Stadium
The Hawks have won their first game in Queensland for a decade, dominating from centre clearance to down the SUNS by sixteen points in a fiery clash at Carrara. Led by Dylan Moore, Jai Newcombe, Josh Ward, and Will Day, the Hawks gave their fans a taste of what they’re capable of as they roared back to life after their bye.
The SUNS got off to the perfect start, kicking the first in just thirty seconds, courtesy of Hawthorn trade target Bailey Humphrey. They peppered the Hawks’ defensive half, managing six inside fifties and a Ben Long goal before their opponents entered their attacking fifty for the first time.
It took the Hawks half a quarter, but they eventually hit their stride, kicking three goals from centre clearance to take the lead. The visitors controlled almost all areas of the game for the rest of the term, launching shot after shot at the Gold Coast goal and finishing the quarter twenty-two-point leaders.
It looked as though the Hawks could run away with it in the second, fighting off an early period of Gold Coast pressure to kick the opening two goals. Unfortunately, in what has become a feature of their games this season, Hawthorn once again failed to put their opponent away when they had the chance.
The SUNS kicked four goals to peg the Hawks’ lead back to eight going into half-time, but their fightback was overshadowed by two incidents set to be heavily scrutinised by the Match Review Officer.
Late in the quarter, Josh Weddle collected SUNS livewire Daniel Rioli high and late with a bump, appearing to leave him with a broken jaw. Minutes later, young Hawk Cam Nairn was picked up and seemingly driven into the ground in a dangerous tackle by Sam Clohesy; Nairn subsequently left the ground for a head injury assessment.
The second half began with the same pattern that dictated the first; every time the Hawks challenged the SUNS, the SUNS responded.
Long kicked the first before Mabior Chol saw Sam Collins step off his mark, catching him cold right in front of goal and converting the set shot.
Will Day continued his stellar return to senior football, enjoying a brilliant performance in the middle and nailing a superb goal on the run. He was joined on the scoreboard minutes later by Jack Ginnivan before Ben King managed to wrestle some momentum back for Gold Coast, goaling and sending the game into a brief stalemate.
The goalless run was broken by who else but Nick Watson, with the Wizard capping off the term for his side by bending a snap on the run to perfection for his third. The SUNS refused to back down, keeping the margin within single figures courtesy of some late Christian Petracca brilliance.
Those hoping for a nail-biting final term were quickly left disappointed as the Hawks’ dominance around centre clearance really started to show on the scoreboard. Hawthorn started the term with four goals in five minutes, running the ball out of the middle with ease and making their forward fifty entries count.
After three quiet quarters, Chol was brilliant in the last, providing a crucial tap to Connor Macdonald for his first and following it up with a strong contested grab and goal against Mac Andrew.
Gold Coast tried to get back into the game, but Hawthorn was just too good, slingshotting out of their defensive fifty for a brilliant chain that ended with Moore running into an open goal for his fourth, sealing the game.
The sixteen-point win sees the Hawks consolidate a top four spot, overtaking Geelong. They’ll return to Melbourne next Friday night, facing the Giants at the MCG. After a shock loss in Opening Round, the Hawks will be out for revenge.
There will definitely be changes, with an injury to Jarman Impey and a likely suspension to Weddle set to force Sam Mitchell’s hand. Jack Gunston is unlikely to play, and Conor Nash’s injury is still yet to be given a timeline by Hawthorn’s medical staff. After stellar showings in the VFL, Henry Hustwaite, Finn Maginness, Ollie Greeves, and Sam Butler have made compelling cases to be in the frame for the Giants game, with Bodie Ryan also an option in defence.
In what could be another tight finals race, every match is crucial. GWS are sitting just outside the top ten, but could finish the round inside the wildcard spots if they beat Carlton on Saturday. Hawthorn will look to make it back to back wins, and if they’re able to nullify the Giants’ powerful midfield, they’re a strong chance to.
GOLD COAST 3.1 7.5 11.8 14.13 (97)
HAWTHORN 6.5 8.7 12.9 17.11 (113)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Long 4, Walter 2, Lombard 2, Witts, Petracca, Miller, King, Humphrey, Holman
Hawthorn: Moore 4, Watson 3, Newcombe 2, Chol 2, Macdonald 2, Lewis, Hardwick, Ginnivan, Day
BEST
Gold Coast: Jeffrey, Andrew, Anderson, B.Uwland, Long, Murray
Hawthorn: Newcombe, Moore, Watson, Day, Battle, Ward
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Rioli (jaw)
Hawthorn: Impey (hamstring), Amon
Crowd: 19,576
Read other round 15 match reports HERE
Read more from Louie Cina HERE
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