HAWTHORN is set for a do-or-die finals clash this weekend, and Jac Dupuy could be the secret weapon the Hawks need to end their finals drought.
The Hawks have lost all four finals they have played since entering the competition in 2023, but after recruiting 32-year-old key forward Jac Dupuy in the 2025 trade period, they might finally have the missing puzzle piece to help get them across the line in November.
Highly touted for her contested marking prowess and the free football she has offered teammate Aine McDonagh to play, AFLW expert Kate McCarthy says it’s also what she provides as a ruck option in their forward fifty that will give them the chance to break open a game in finals.
“I think that has been completely overlooked with how much Jac Dupuy has added to this forward line at the Hawthorn Football Club,” McCarthy said on Afl.com.au’s The Wrap.
“And that is something you can genuinely exploit during finals.”
In their 55-point win over the West Coast Eagles, the Hawks recorded their highest score in club history with 94 points. Not only did Dupuy do what a forward does best and contribute to the scoreboard with two majors of her own, but she also perfectly set up her teammates at a ruck contest.
“It’s her ability to win the forward fifty ruck taps, put it on a platter for her small forwards,” McCarthy said.
“Here’s this one, Poppy Stockwell goes through and kicks this goal. And have a look at how fine this margin is; it is almost the perfect tap down to Eliza West running into goal.
“And then this one, ‘I’m just going to take it out of the ruck and kick it myself, two on one.’”
Whilst there has been plenty of discourse about Hawthorn’s consistency in 2026, McCarthy sang Dupuy’s praises for the way she was able to be one of the positive differences at the Hawks.
“When we speak about Jac Dupuy, we have absolutely loved her recruitment to Hawthorn; she has added so much to that football club in the forward line,” McCarthy said.
“She’s the number one contested marking player in the competition; she can score goals, and she’s allowed Aine McDonagh to score plenty of goals.
“(Hawthorn scored) six goals three from stoppage, a couple of those out of the centre bounce, but a number of them from forward fifty. I think you’ve got to give her a massive tick when she’s added that to Hawthorn’s game.”
Hawthorn will head up north where Dupuy will face her former side, the Gold Coast Suns, at People First Stadium in this Sunday’s elimination final.
Get two NAB AFLW qualifying final games for the price of one at Saturday’s Ikon Park double-header! Geelong takes on Melbourne, before North Melbourne hosts Carlton. All spectators need a ticket - adults $15, kids under 15 free. Get your tickets here
