<p>It’s not quite desperation station yet for Hawthorn, but it is getting closer to must-win territory as the weeks tick down.&nbsp;</p> <p>After getting overrun by Fremantle in the west last week, the Hawks have fallen back into the pack. Now in sixth position, they are firmly back in the mix, tied with five other teams with 11 wins and six losses.&nbsp;</p> <p>Their top-four hopes remain alive, largely thanks to their draw and the fact that they play three bottom-10 teams on the run home, but it makes this game against the Power a must-win if they want to guarantee their double chance.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Power were made to work for it against a resilient Eagles side, eventually outclassing the bottom-placed team. Their positive finish to the season has seen them rise to 8-9 and into 11th position. And while there’s a small glimmer of hope for a finals spot, they need everything to go right from here on in.</p> <p>While they gained the four points they wanted, they lost several key players to season-ending injuries, including Jason Horne-Francis with a fractured foot and skipper Connor Rozee with a fractured hand, who was subbed out mid-game.&nbsp;</p> <p>Add these to the toll from last week at the Gabba, and it leaves the Power’s last six weeks as a ‘be the best of the rest’ operation in Ken Hinkley's final year in charge.&nbsp;</p> <p>A lot is riding on this game for the Hawks. A win here keeps their top-four ambitions in their own hands. Lose, and they fall further into the pack, placing their place in September at further risk.</p> <p>On team selection, all eyes are on the key forwards and whether Sam Mitchell will call upon Mitch Lewis, who starred in the VFL with five goals, continuing his strong comeback from an ACL injury.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Fellow tall Max Ramsden also puts his hand up for a recall with four goals from eight marks. Intercepting defender Jack Scrimshaw also looks set for a return after a strong performance.&nbsp;</p> <p>Port Adelaide will be without Rozee and Horne-Francis for the trip to Tassie. Dylan Williams showcased his goal-kicking with six goals in the SANFL, making a case for selection. First-year player Christian Moraes is another option, or they could revert to Logan Evans for added defensive cover.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Hawks vs Power prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs Port Adelaide Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Hawthorn Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: James Sicily, Tom Barass, Blake Hardwick</p> <p>HB: Jarman Impey, Josh Battle, Karl Amon</p> <p>C: Massimo D’Ambrosio, James Worpel, Connor Macdonald</p> <p>HF: Harry Morrison, Jack Gunston, Nick Watson</p> <p>F: Calsher Dear,&nbsp; Mitch Lewis, Dylan Moore</p> <p>Foll: Lloyd Meek, Jai Newcombe, Cam Mackenzie</p> <p>Int: Changkuoth Jiath, Conor Nash, Josh Ward, Finn Maginnes, Jack Ginnivan</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Port Adelaide Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Kane Farrell, Allir Allir, Lachie Jones</p> <p>HB: Josh Sinn, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Miles Bergman</p> <p>C: Jase Burgoyne. Willem Drew, Travis Boak</p> <p>HF: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Jack Lukosius, Dylan Williams</p> <p>F: Joe Berry, Mitch Georgiades, Joe Richards</p> <p>Foll: Jordon Sweet, Ollie Wines, Zak Butters</p> <p>Int: Ollie Lord, Hugh Jackson, Mani Liddy, Will Lorenz, Christian Moraes</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs Port Adelaide Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Power have won their past four matches against the Hawks, including the spicy Gather Round encounter earlier this year.</p> <p>While they can take some hope from a strong head-to-head record in recent times, the Hawks are currently on a nine-game winning streak down in Tasmania, re-establishing their dominance at their home away from home.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks baulked last week at not starting tagger Finn Maginnes, and it might have cost them the game, looking at the performance of both Serong and Brayshaw. You’d suspect he goes and stands next to Zak Butters right from the opening bounce here.&nbsp;</p> <p>The improvement in Power’s attacking profile over the past month has been significant, rising to the sixth-best attack in the competition: their ball movement and chains to score stand out, ranking third in both categories at this time.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s a steep challenge this week, though against the Hawks' defence, who, despite the slip-up to Freo, sit first for points against over the last month, which would be filling Sam Mitchell with some joy and reassurance that everything will be fine.&nbsp;</p> <p>There’s more on the line here for the Hawks. With it being in Tassie too, is the reason why we’re going with them this week to break the run of losses to Port.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-port-adelaide-9386453">Hawks</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Joe Richards wasn’t the biggest name that Port Adelaide recruited in the off-season, but the 25-year-old has filled a critical role in the front half for the Power and has relished the opportunity at Alberton.</p> <p>He had five shots on goal last week for 2.3 and has 12 goals from 16 games this season. We’re backing him for the first one of the day here.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-port-adelaide-9386453">Joe Richards</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>We’ve sung his praises before here at ‘The Huddle’, and Karl Amon has delivered the goods this season.</p> <p>Averaging a career-high 24 disposals this season and 5.8 rebound 50s per game with his reliable kicking out of defence, he’s been critical to the Hawks' ball movement, and will be critical to getting ‘Hokball’ moving in the run home.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-port-adelaide-9386453"> Karl Amon 25+ disposals</a>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn Hawks vs Port Adelaide Power Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, July 19, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 1:20pm AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> UTAS Stadium, Launceston</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/Kayo Sports</p>