"Hawthorn Destroys Collingwood by 64 Points: MCG Clash Shakes Up AFL Finals Race"

Hawthorn Demolish Collingwood as Finals Race Heats Up

The MCG was buzzing with expectation as Hawthorn and Collingwood stepped onto the field in Round 22. Fans came ready for a battle. What they witnessed was one-sided dominance. Hawthorn crushed Collingwood by 64 points, delivering a message to the rest of the league—don’t count them out just yet.

From the first bounce, the intensity was high. But the match took a dramatic turn just over a minute in. A frightening collision between Collingwood’s Jeremy Howe and Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe left the stadium in shock. Howe was motionless on the turf. Medical staff rushed in, and he was stretchered off and taken to the hospital. Newcombe returned after clearing a concussion check, but the moment set a serious tone for the rest of the match.

Despite the early scare, Hawthorn didn’t lose focus. In fact, it fired them up. Their second quarter was explosive. They kicked 7 straight goals while keeping Collingwood nearly scoreless. That 30-minute stretch effectively decided the match. From that point on, Hawthorn had full control.

The final score read 17.8 (110) to 6.10 (46). The result wasn’t just a win—it was a statement.

Hawthorn's Forward Line Fires

Hawthorn’s tall forwards stepped up in a big way. Jack Gunston, Mabior Chol, Lloyd Meek, and young Calsher Dear each played their part. Together, they kicked nine of Hawthorn’s goals. Lloyd Meek stood out with a career-best three goals. His marking, positioning, and pressure in the forward 50 gave Collingwood’s defenders no breathing room.

It’s rare to see a ruckman dominate so effectively up forward. Meek’s performance might give coach Sam Mitchell a new weapon heading into the final rounds.

Jai Newcombe, who was involved in the early collision, delivered one of his best games this season. He collected 28 disposals, seven clearances, and even kicked a goal. His toughness and clean work through the midfield helped Hawthorn build attacks again and again.

What does this say about Newcombe’s resilience? Can you imagine many players returning from a clash like that and still dominating?

Collingwood’s Alarming Form Slump

Collingwood, on the other hand, looked completely out of rhythm. Once a top-four contender, they’ve now lost four of their last five matches. Their ball movement was sluggish. Their pressure around the contest was flat. The forward line struggled to create opportunities, and the midfield was easily beaten.

Coach Craig McRae didn’t hold back after the match. He apologised to fans for what he described as a lack of fight. "You can’t sugar-coat that," he said in his post-match comments. His frustration was clear, and you have to wonder what’s going wrong behind the scenes.

Injuries have played a part, but the drop-off in energy and execution is hard to ignore. Is it fatigue? Confidence? Or is there a deeper issue?

Jeremy Howe’s injury won’t help matters. He’s been one of their most experienced defenders and a calming presence. Losing him—even for a short time—could hurt their structure and leadership.

Turning Point in the Season?

For Hawthorn, this win couldn’t have come at a better time. They’re not only alive in the finals race—they’re dangerous. With two rounds left, they’re hitting form at exactly the right moment.

This wasn’t just a tactical win. It was physical. It was aggressive. It was clinical. Every player knew their role, and most importantly, they played like they believed they could win. That mindset is hard to build—and even harder to beat.

Collingwood now faces pressure on multiple fronts. Their fans expect more. The media will start asking tough questions. Internally, they have to find answers fast. With finals approaching, this isn’t the time to be falling apart.

Tactical Breakdown

Hawthorn’s game plan was simple and effective. They used width to stretch Collingwood’s defense. Their midfielders won the clearances and delivered fast, accurate kicks inside 50. Once inside, their forwards stayed deep and created constant mismatches.

The backline held strong. They limited Collingwood to just six goals, many of which came late when the game was already out of reach.

By contrast, Collingwood’s midfield was slow and reactive. They lost the ground ball battle and couldn’t contain Hawthorn’s spread. Their kicks often went to contests instead of space, allowing Hawthorn to intercept and rebound quickly.

Is it time for Collingwood to rethink their structure? Should they bring in younger players or adjust roles to find a spark?

Crowd Reactions

The crowd of over 70,000 at the MCG witnessed a mix of emotions. There was silence during the early injury, loud support during Hawthorn’s goal bursts, and frustration from Magpies fans as their team fell apart.

Some supporters even started leaving midway through the final quarter. That’s rare for Collingwood fans, who usually stick it out no matter the score. But this wasn’t just a loss—it felt like a collapse.

For Hawthorn fans, the win brought hope. The last few years haven’t been easy. But performances like this hint at something building.

What's Next?

Hawthorn will go into their next match with momentum and belief. If they can string together another strong performance, they could sneak into the finals and cause problems for higher-ranked teams.

They’ve got youth, energy, and now—confidence.

Collingwood has two weeks to find answers. Their next game is critical. Lose again, and their season could spiral out of control. Win, and they might just steady the ship.

But right now, questions outweigh the answers.

Do they trust their current game plan? Can their leaders turn the mood around? Is this just a slump—or something worse?

Final Word

Hawthorn played with intent. Collingwood looked unsure. The result speaks for itself.

What do you take away from this match?

If you're a Hawks fan, you're starting to dream again. If you're a Magpies supporter, you're starting to worry.

A collision, a comeback, and a complete performance from the Hawks. This wasn’t just another round—it felt like a moment that could shape the rest of the season.

And that’s what footy is all about—surprises, shifts, and stories you can’t ignore.