Matt Hill and Noah Mraz pose for a photo ahead of their Hawthorn debut against Melbourne in Round 17, 2026. Photo: AFL Photos
HAWTHORNE and Melbourne meet for the first time in Launceston to open Super Saturday of action.
The Hawks tightened their grip on a double chance as they kept Greater Western Sydney at arm’s length to claim victory while second place comes into view.
HAWKS vs DEMONS Follow it live
The Hawks have a favorable run ahead of them but first need to correct a poor record against the Demons with just two wins in their last 12 matches, both of which came last year, although this is the first time they have hosted them at their fortress of Launceston.
Melbourne return from the bye looking to rediscover their best form following a run of three defeats and wins against bottom half sides Collingwood and Essendon as they staked a claim to the top four with a Round 10 win over Hawthorn.
The Demons will have to change their away form on their first visit to Launceston after losing five times in as many matches outside Victoria this season.
Hawthorn v Melbourne at UTAS Stadium, 1.15pm.
NO LATE CHANGES
Both sides made four changes for the match, with Dis bringing in former Hawk Changkuot Giat, Latrell Pickett, Bailey Lawrie and Harrison Petty, but losing Tom McDonald, Jake Melksham, Paddy Cross and Luker Kentfield, all of whom were missed.
The Hawks will make a double debut with Noah Mraz and Matt Hill playing their first games and Jack Gunston and Will McCabe returning. Karl Amon, Ned Reeves and Nick Watson are out with injuries, and Kelsher Dear is out.
Greater Western Sydney’s finals hopes hang in the balance after the team was hit again by injury in a gallant defeat to Hawthorn.
The undermanned Giants were outclassed by the Hawks’ midfield, losing 54-30, but will have to quickly resolve their engine room problems with the Dockers, Cats and Swans in their next four matches.
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Fremantle found a way to continue to improve, beating Gold Coast in what could have been a slog in wet weather and setting a club record with a 14th win on the trot.
The Dockers’ defense was already the stingiest in the competition, but they tightened the screw to allow the Suns to score just three goals, giving them the opportunity to rest players if needed on the way home.
Greater Western Sydney v Fremantle, Manuka Oval, 13:35 AEST
NO LATE CHANGES
Justin Longmuir named an unchanged team, with the Giants adding debutants Jack Og and Riley Hamilton along with Joey Delana and Harry Rowston, Max Gruzevski and Brent Daniels injured and Phoenix Gothard and Lik Alire coping.
Gold Coast suffered a fifth defeat in a row which was perhaps their worst yet as they failed to score a single goal in a dismal show against Fremantle.
The Suns’ fate remains in their own hands, but without a dramatic turnaround in form they risk missing out on even wild-card spots, especially in any remaining games against finals contenders.
SUNS – MAGPIES Follow it live
Collingwood did what it had to do, scoring a comfortable win over an undermanned Richmond to reach 100 points for only the second time this season and move back into the top 10.
The Magpies have little margin for error with the Crows away, the Cats, Hawks and Lions all yet to make a home run, and their next three matches against the Suns, Roos and Blues are likely to determine their finals hopes.
Brayden Maynard returns from a shoulder injury along with debutant Liam Puncher, Isaac Quaynor misses with an ankle injury and Roan Steele is ruled out.
The Suns also have debutant Dylan Patterson playing his first game. Ethan Reed is also present, while Charlie Ballard and Jarrod Witts are not involved.
Richmond did well to keep pace with Collingwood for three quarters but paid for letting their guard down during the second term when they were beaten six goals to one.
The Tigers are still counting the cost of a long list of injuries but have few excuses for their lack of intensity, making a combined 75 tackles in their last two matches compared to 117 for their opponents.
TIGERS vs BLUES Follow it live
Carlton turned a nightmare start to the season into an unlikely finals dream, extending their incredible run since interim coach Josh Fraser made it six wins with a win over West Coast.
The Blues have emerged as one of the most entertaining teams in the tournament thanks to their eye-catching ball movement and can now level their win-loss record against the injured Tigers.
Carlton welcome back Ollie Hollands in place of Blake Acres, while the Tigers return Tom Lynch, Hugo Ralphsmith and Kane McAuliffe, with Sam Grl, Maurice Rioli and Dion Prestia missing.