<p>You know you’re in for a cracking AFL Finals series when every team inside the top eight feels like a genuine contender. And in the case of GWS and Hawthorn, that rings especially true.</p> <p>At their best, both teams play a brand of footy capable of going all the way — and with a bit of luck, lifting the premiership cup. That’s what makes this Elimination Final so tantalising... and a little bit heartbreaking. Only one of these sides will survive and move deeper into September.</p> <p>Frankly, either of them could’ve finished top four. Instead, they face off in what might be the game of the round.</p> <p>What do we know? Expect fireworks. Both clubs play a fast, attacking style under two of the most innovative coaches in the league: Adam Kingsley and Sam Mitchell. Buckle up — this one could be a belter.</p> <p>Let’s unpack it. For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Giants vs Hawks Elimination Final prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Hawthorn Preview</h2> <p>These two sides met just once during the 2025 home-and-away season — all the way back in Round 3, down in Tasmania.</p> <p>That night, the Giants got off to a flyer, piling on five unanswered goals in the first quarter. But Hawthorn responded with six straight goals in the second, flipping the game on its head. The Hawks held on late as GWS surged again, eventually sealing a statement win — their fourth in a row to start the year. It was also GWS’s first loss of the season.</p> <p>Since then, both clubs have shared eerily similar campaigns. Teetering between a top-four finish and missing September altogether, they’ve each ridden wild form swings, key injuries, and comeback performances.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Both sides enter September with critical selection decisions to make.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the Giants, how many stars do you bring back at once?&nbsp;</p> <p>Having dealt with a late-season spate of injuries, the Giants' balancing act to get it right for the first final will be a fascinating watch.</p> <p>No doubt, any AFL team looks better with names such as Jesse Hogan, Jake Stringer, Stephen Coniglio, Brent Daniels, Josh Kelly, and Jack Buckley back in it. But the Giants will need to weigh up who is ready to go and how many they bring in.</p> <p>Jake Stringer has been declared fit and ready to go, but they will sweat on the fitness of key duo Hogan and Buckley, who are integral to the spine of the Giants.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Daniels has struggled to get on the park for most of the year, and Coniglio should be ok after a bout of concussion. Josh Kelly will give his calf a test, but should be good to go.&nbsp;</p> <p>At the Hawks, Everyone is on Josh Weddle watch.&nbsp;</p> <p>The young gun made his return from a back stress fracture last week in Box Hill’s VFL final on limited minutes. Will the Hawks pull the trigger and pick him for the final? He’s too good not to. Especially with the absence of Will Day.</p> <p>Then there is the question of the tall forwards. Sam Mitchell has persisted with the four-tall forward setup for much of the last third of the season. In each game, one of them has been subbed out either at or just after halftime. With Weddle set to return, does Mitchell change up the mix ahead of the ball?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Players To Watch</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Tom Green</h3> <p>The bull in the Giants' engine room, Tom Green, has spoken honestly about the hurt of letting last year's opportunities slip.</p> <p>After being recognized as one of the best midfielders in the competition with selection in the 44-man All-Australian squad, Green looks ready to leave an indelible mark on the finals and is prepared to take the Giants far.&nbsp;</p> <p>He will no doubt require plenty of attention from Sam Mitchell and the Hawthorn coaches' box.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jack Ginnivan</h3> <p>He’s the player that opposition teams love to hate, but Jack Ginnivan has been there in the big games and has shown off his football ability on several occasions this year.</p> <p>Since getting dropped for Easter Monday, Ginni has been a mainstay for the Hawks. Jack Ginnivan has averaged 20.7 disposals and 1.4 goals a game. Elite numbers! The only other players in the AFL to average 20+ disposals and 1+ goals a game this year? Isaac Heeney, Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards, and Izak Rankine. Not bad company!&nbsp;</p> <p>He might just slip under the radar again, but don’t be surprised if he bobs up and is a match-winner too.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Sam Taylor</h3> <p>Widely acknowledged as one of the best key defenders in the game after winning his second All-Australian blazer, Taylor could be spoilt for choice in choosing a direct opponent for this match.</p> <p>Whoever the matchup, Taylor’s performance will have a marked say on proceedings for the Giants, with his impressive record against key-forwards this year a standout among his peers.</p> <p>How much he’d love to have his partner in crime, Jack Buckley, standing next to him to combat the challenge.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Hawthorn Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Who Will Win?&nbsp;</h3> <p>This is the hardest final to pick.</p> <p>The Giants hold sway in the recent head-to-head, winning three of the past five matches, but the two sides have traded wins over the past four matches.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks are better placed of the two sides, ranking sixth for overall profile across the season and have the fourth-ranked defence in the competition.&nbsp;</p> <p>The recruiting decisions of Brass and Battle in the off-season, with the latter being named in the All-Australian, have paid off in spades for the Hawks this season, with both players hitting peak form at the right time.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Giants have been the fifth-best team on offence over the past six weeks of the home and away season, and their transition game has been strong. They desperately need Stringer and Hogan out there to ensure they have strong targets to finish off the work.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Giants have lost only once at ENGIE Stadium this year, while the Hawks are yet to win at the Sydney Showgrounds in eight attempts.&nbsp;</p> <p>Could their ninth life be the one that they cash in on? Their losses on the run home were not bad performances at all, and despite finishing eighth, they seem the team most likely to go on a run from the bottom four and win it.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Giants might be taking too much risk with underdone players.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gws-giants-v-hawthorn-9554692">Hawks</a>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>We love nothing more than a captain setting the tone early in a big final. And Toby Greene might be the poster child of said art (and maybe a few more, too)</p> <p>In his third year as sole captain of the Giants, Greene’s leadership has grown every year, and when the whips start cracking, his performances elevate.</p> <p>12 goals in the last five matches suggest that he’s in pretty good goalkicking form too. We’re backing him for the first one here.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gws-giants-v-hawthorn-9554692">Toby Greene</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>If Hawthorn wants to win the flag, which we think they’re absolutely capable of doing, we’re going to need to see ‘HokBall’ on steroids.&nbsp;</p> <p>The run and carry, and precise kicking will need to be on. In Josh Weddle’s absence, Karl Amon has assumed that halfback role, so releasing him further up the ground with his impending return could be another weapon for the Hawks.&nbsp;</p> <p>He finished the season strongly, averaging 25 disposals from his past five matches, with a season best 38 touches last outing against the Lions.&nbsp;</p> <p>Can he go huge again here and deliver a win for the Hawks?</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gws-giants-v-hawthorn-9554692">Karl Amon 30+ disposals&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Hawthorn Hawks Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Saturday, September 6th, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 3:15 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> ENGIE Stadium, Sydney</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports</p>