AFL Gather Round 2025 LIVE updates: Power fans get the last laugh as Hawthorn’s epic comeback falls short in Gather Round finale

April 13, 2025 journo

Key posts

Hawks torn after falling short in revenge game

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said his team was feeling torn after being smacked around in a redemption game gone wrong.

“There was a bit of riding on the game and we would have loved to have played much better than that,” Mitchell said.

“They taught us a bit of a lesson tonight.”

But he doesn’t think the players were overawed by occasion or distracted by outside factors, just that his team were outplayed on the field.

“We were ready for a game that threw at us exactly what we thought it would and we just weren’t able to withstand it,” he said.

Sam Mitchell has much to contemplate after his Hawks were soundly beaten.Credit: AFL Photos

‘Rivalries are good to have’: Horne-Francis

Jason Horne-Francis used memories of last year’s tense semi-final as motivation for tonight’s game.

The emotions boiled over a few times and the crowd certainly remembered the fallout of the 2024 final – but to Horne-Francis it played to his advantage.

“I think rivalries are so good to have,” he told Channel Seven post game.

“It’s such a good rivalry… we couldn’t have rivalry against a better club.

“I think it is good for us it gets us up and about for a game.”

Port Adelaide’s Jason Horne-Francis.Credit: Getty Images

‘A true Port Adelaide win’: Butters

By Roy Ward and Angus Delaney

Zak Butters spoke to Channel Seven post game, here’s how his interview unfolded.

What a win, nervous moments late in the fourth but undefeated Hawks, that is fantastic.

It was a tough game, we knew that. It was a true Port Adelaide win, backs to the wall, everyone rolled their sleeves up.

Zak Butters of the Power is tackled by Changkuoth Jiath of the Hawks.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Speaking on it, everybody knows how the season ended last year, the result is done. You have the points in the bank. Did you think about it pre-game?

We touched on it, it is more about us coming out and doing what we have done the last couple of times. I think I saw Sam after the game last night and that was good.

Last week you gave the Saints that a four goals and started at quarter time and a note coming in there was a big effort away you kicked off from the opening bounce.

Last week, our performance was really strong and we took confidence and momentum from that but we knew that we start like that but we knew that we start like that it would be hard to come back from. We knew if we get a good strong start kept rolling it would be a good night.

Good to have you back in the midfield or have you found a spot for him down back?

I think when he was 18 he went to North Adelaide and played half-back, I think he was a bit of a trick.

Also speaking after the game, key forward Mitch Georgiades said the team had a focus on setting the tone early.

“I think last week that was really our focus, going through the first 10 minutes so we can just apply really good pressure, bring a good contest,” he told Fox Footy.

Connor Rozee said Ken Hinkley, the club’s coach in his final season, who copped a $20,000 fine for his post match antics in the 2024 semi-final, “cops a lot of flak … he doesn’t deserve”.

“He is the spearhead of our organisation so he cops a fair bit,” Rozee told Channel Seven.

“We love him so much and from where he has taken our club to where it is now, we will be forever indebted to him.”

Full-time analysis: The Power were primed for this

Port have taken the honours in a fizzer. The Hawks were simply not ready for the pressure Port Adelaide applied, and wilted. They fought back to get within 22 points, which was to their credit, but they never really threatened. Connor Rozee was excellent in the first half off half-back as they hit back with a repeat of last year’s semi-final result.

Full-time stats: Power v Hawks

FT: Port Adelaide 18.13 (121) defeat Hawthorn 14.7 (91)

Port Adelaide have capped off a dream night on the Gather Round finale with a statement win over Hawthorn.

The Hawks drew it closer in the final term but the result was never in doubt after the Power steamrolled Hawthorn early on.

This is Hawthorn’s first loss of the season. Port Adelaide advance to 2-3.

FT: Port Adelaide 18.13 (121) Hawthorn 14.7 (91)

Ginnivan and Watson have gone missing

Jack Ginnivan has not scored from his 12 touches. Nick Watson has not scored from nine touches. Jason Horne-Francis and Zak Butters, on the other hand, have been outstanding for Port Adelaide.

GOAL: Breust cuts it to 30 points

Luke Breust, the sub, kicks a goal to cut the lead to 30 points with under two minutes remaining.

Port Adelaide 18.13 (121) Hawthorn 14.7 (91)

GOAL: That’s a sensational six for Gunston

On a dark night for Hawthorn, Jack Gunston has shone bright.

He’s just kicked his sixth goal of the game, equalling his career-best.

Our man at the ground Peter Ryan says Gunston is reprising Dermott Brereton in the 1985 grand final.

Port Adelaide 18.11 (119) Hawthorn 13.7 (85)

Port really will have the last laugh

OK, Port Adelaide will win this now as Sam Powell-Pepper, who has been excellent tonight, kicks the steadying goal with a snap.

Soon after, Willie Rioli showed them the ball before roosting it through, and then Hawks star Changkuoth Jiath shoved him. A melee started and Rioli received a free kick at the top of the square – back-to-back goals to Port. D’Ambrosio again the peacemaker.

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