HAWTHORN has broken its finals duck, overpowering Gold Coast by 18 points to win Sunday's elimination final at People First Stadium.

Trailing by three points at half-time the Hawks kicked five goals to two after the main break to win 8.9 (57) to 6.3 (39) and advance to a semi-final date with Carlton next weekend.

SUNS V HAWKS Full match details and stats

It was their first triumph in November after successive back-to-back exits in 2024 and 2025.

On a rough day for the Suns, young star Ava Usher left the field in the dying minutes with what appeared a serious knee injury.

Hawthorn was excellent from the outset, proving too clean in the clinches and too clinical ahead of, and behind, the ball for their upstart opponents.

Laura Stone played one of the best games of her career, kicking two goals from 21 disposals that also included six clearances.

She had midfield assistance from Eliza West (29 and eight clearances) and Casey Sherriff (21) as the Hawks got on top in the engine room.

West and Daisy Flockart (13 tackles) matched up against star Sun Charlie Rowbottom (20) at every stoppage and were able to limit her influence.

With the game in the balance during the third quarter, the Hawks lived in their front half of the ground and were able to capitalise with goals to Stone, West and Aine McDonagh.

Although Gold Coast kicked the first goal of the fourth quarter through Mikayla Nurse, Hawthorn hit back quickly and was able to snuff out the challenge.

Jenna Richardson was sensational in defence, regularly winning one-on-one contests, while Hayley McLaughlin was also terrific at winning the ball back.

The Suns used a three-goal second quarter to overturn an early deficit, but generally struggled to move the ball cleanly.

Niamh McLaughlin was tireless, while Darcie Davies (two goals) gave a fantastic account of herself against Lucy Wales.

The defeat brings to a close a wonderful season for Rhyce Shaw's team, which won a club-record nine games in the home-and-away season.

Fifth time lucky for the Hawks
Following successive back-to-back finals exits in 2024 and 2025, Hawthorn was not walking away losers this time. Two years ago it was heartbreaking losses to Brisbane and Port Adelaide, while last year it was heavy defeats from North Melbourne and Carlton. This time around though there was a steeliness from Daniel Webster’s team. Whenever the Suns had momentum, they were met with a brick wall. The Blues await the Hawks in a semi-final. 

Nervous wait for Usher
In the dying minutes of the match, young Suns star Ava Usher crumpled to the turf with what appeared to be a knee injury. Teammate Maddy Brancatisano was flying for a mark and clipped Usher and she came crashing to ground. Usher hit the grass and immediately grabbed for her right knee, looking distraught as she was helped from the field. She did walk back on post-siren to console her teammates.

Next up
Hawthorn has advanced to a semi-final against Carlton next weekend with the winner to advance to a preliminary final. The loss means Gold Coast’s fairytale season has come to an end following a club record 9-3 home-and-away season. 

GOLD COAST     1.1   4.1   4.2    6.3 (39)
HAWTHORN      2.1   3.4   6.5    8.9 (57)

GOALS
Gold Coast: D.Davies 2, Harris, Usher, Nurse, Hatchard
Hawthorn: Stone 2, Stockwell, Dupuy, McDonagh, West, Antony, Williamson

BEST 
Gold Coast: D.Davies, McLaughlin, G.Davies, Nurse, Parker
Hawthorn: Stone, Richardson, Sherriff, West, McLaughlin, Wales 

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Usher (knee)
Hawthorn: Nil 

Reports: Nil 

Crowd: 3675 at People First Stadium