Overview

• Hawthorn secured a 6.11 (47) to 5.14 (44) win over Adelaide thanks to Jai Newcombe’s go-ahead goal with less than four minutes remaining in icy Launceston conditions.
• Adelaide dominated early—winning key inside-50 and clearance statistics—but managed only 1.7 in the second half, prompting coach Matthew Nicks to cite ‘karma’ for their wasteful finishing.
• Coach Sam Mitchell hailed the defensive effort as the Hawks’ best win of the season and praised the team’s ability to absorb pressure after a minus-10 tackle count at quarter-time.
• At Optus Stadium, Fremantle held on for a 10.13 (73) to 10.7 (67) victory over North Melbourne by resisting a five-goal Kangaroos surge with Luke Jackson’s late snap and Josh Treacy’s match-saving mark.
• The win marked Fremantle’s fourth straight triumph, lifted their season record to 8-5 and offered coach Justin Longmuir proof of the side’s composure in tight matches.