<p>We’re down to six in the fight for this year's AFL Premiership.</p> <p>The Crows have a shot to hit reset after their home qualifying-final loss to Collingwood last Thursday. They get another crack at it this week at Adelaide Oval, where they're hosting a Hawthorn team buzzing after a dominant elimination final win over the Giants.</p> <p>The Hawks’ run has been electric: they shrugged off a late surge from GWS and steadied to pull off a big away finals win. No surprise—they’re heading into this one full of belief, especially with memories of last year’s controversial Semi-Final scenes still hanging over Adelaide Oval.</p> <p>Can Hawthorn knock the Crows out in straight sets and set up a tantalising preliminary final clash with Geelong? Or will the Crows snap back, find their groove, and rally for another finals run?&nbsp;</p> <p>Let’s break it all down. The form, the matchups, team news, and betting insights, read Sportsbet's Crows vs Hawks Semi-Final preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide vs Hawthorn Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Finals experience counts for plenty in September, and it was on full display last Thursday night at Adelaide Oval.&nbsp;</p> <p>Collingwood, seasoned and composed, handled the heat of September with ease, while Adelaide copped a tough initiation that finals footy is a different beast. The Crows looked shaky under pressure and struggled to adapt when their usual free-flowing style was constantly picked off by the Pies.&nbsp;</p> <p>On the flip side, Hawthorn’s win over the Giants showed exactly what a confident, finals-ready side looks like. Much like their Elimination Final last year against the Bulldogs, they had a rocky start, found their footing, then turned on the jets and never looked back. The Giants surged late, but the Hawks stayed composed and kicked away when it mattered.</p> <p>One of Adelaide’s biggest issues last week was the breakdown of their forward line. Taylor Walker battled hard in his 300th game, but Collingwood’s intercept marking killed any momentum. Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty were well below their best, and the Crows will need much more from their talls if they want to stay alive. It doesn’t get any easier this week either, with matchups likely involving the likes of Josh Battle, Tom Barrass, and James Sicily—all capable of disrupting forward structure.</p> <p>Hawthorn's recent history at Adelaide Oval isn't great—they're 0-2 there this season, including a Round 21 loss to the Crows. That night, Sam Mitchell trialed the now-abandoned four-tall forward structure. One of the most important changes since has been the return of Josh Weddle from a back injury—he was awesome against the Giants and brings balance across half-back and through the wings.</p> <p>Mitch Lewis was the unlucky key forward to be omitted last week, but he is set to be back in the side this week, replacing Calsher Dear, who picked up a hamstring strain. Ruling him out.&nbsp;</p> <p>Youngsters Henry Hustwaite and Cam Mackenzie are knocking on the door after strong VFL outings for Box Hill, but unless there’s a late injury, don’t expect many changes from Sam Mitchell’s winning side.</p> <p>For the Crows, the big inclusion is Josh Rachele. He’s been declared fit and is in line to play his first final after recovering from a knee injury. With Izak Rankine suspended, Adelaide sorely missed speed, creativity, and X-factor last week—and Rachele brings all of that in spades. Whether he plays up forward or gets midfield minutes remains to be seen, but his return gives the Crows a much-needed spark. Who makes way for him will be a talking point at selection.</p> <p>This clash shapes as a fascinating tactical and mental battle. Hawthorn has the form and confidence. Adelaide has the home ground and a strong season-long record at the Oval. The margins are tight, the stakes even higher—and both sides have the tools to deliver something special on Friday night.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Players To Watch</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jai Newcombe</h3> <p>He’s become Hawthorn's new “Mr September”.</p> <p>Across his first three Finals games, Newcombe’s performances have been off the charts, ranking as the number one player on the ground in each of his three games.&nbsp;</p> <p>He has built over the last six weeks of the season to re-establish himself as Hawthorn’s best player and will be pivotal, once again, in the midfield on Friday night.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Josh Rachele</h3> <p>He’s not quite the man that the Crows can’t afford to lose, but everyone will welcome his inclusion back into the Adelaide team.&nbsp;</p> <p>His X-Factor and zip off the mark will be a weapon that the Crows severely lacked against the Pies.&nbsp;</p> <p>It will be interesting to see how they manage his minutes and workload, and more so, where he plays. Will he be up forward or in the midfield mainly?&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jack Ginnivan</h3> <p>He’s the Hawks’ walking headline, but Ginnivan loves steering into the skid.</p> <p>And the best thing about it? He can back it up with his ability on the football field.&nbsp;</p> <p>Three goals against the Giants on Saturday, taking his tally to 28 for the year. He’s one of the smartest players in the competition when it comes to being in the right position, too.</p> <p>Will no doubt be under the spotlight and command attention from the second he lands at Adelaide Airport from the media and Crows fans alike.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide vs Hawthorn Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Who Will Win?&nbsp;</h3> <p>Adelaide and Hawthorn have faced off twice already this season, with both sides notching a win apiece. Most recently, Adelaide came out on top at home in Round 21—a result that will give them confidence heading into this one. However, the Hawks were far from poor that night and have taken big strides since then.</p> <p>Adelaide’s loss to Collingwood was only their second defeat at Adelaide Oval this year. The Crows have built a strong reputation at home in 2025, and they’ll be desperate to respond in front of their fans and avoid going out in straight sets—a fate no minor premier has suffered in over 40 years.</p> <p>Hawthorn, on the other hand, is flying after their elimination final win. They’ve now played in back-to-back Septembers under Sam Mitchell and look like a side capable of going on a run from the bottom half of the eight. Their contested game, pressure, and belief are all peaking at the right time.</p> <p>These two sides play a similar brand—fast, attacking footy built on ground-ball pressure and ball movement. They rank first and second in the league for ground ball gets and are both relentless when it comes to tackling and forcing turnovers.</p> <p>Momentum is firmly with Hawthorn, but the Crows have the home-ground advantage and a raucous Adelaide Oval crowd behind them. It’s a classic finals toss-up: form versus familiarity, momentum versus fortress.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-hawthorn-9596748">Crows</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>He was one of the inclusions for the first final, and Luke Pedlar justified his place with three goals. Playing his role as a hybrid half-forward when the others around him couldn’t quite get going.&nbsp;</p> <p>With some big battles on the horizon for the Crows’ big boys, the medium and small forward brigade will need to be on song.</p> <p>The past two games that Pedlar has played, he’s saluted with a bag of three goals each. We’re backing him to keep it up and get the home side off to a strong start.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-hawthorn-9596748">Luke Pedlar</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>We know that Jai Newcombe is in beast mode in September. But the Hawks don’t progress through without the dash and dare of Jarman Impey.&nbsp;</p> <p>With so much of the Hawks’ game being built up from half-back and the wings, Impey getting up the ground, driving and delivering the ball is an extra ace in Sam Mitchell's pack.&nbsp;</p> <p>He’ll have a big role to play here if the Hawks are to get up again.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-hawthorn-9596748">Jarman Impey 25+ disposals&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows vs Hawthorn Hawks Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Friday, September 12th, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 7:40 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Adelaide Oval, Adelaide</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports</p>