AFL: Hawks overcome deficit to win Anzac bout against Crows

Hawthorn 15.12 (102) defeated Adelaide 16.3 (99) in the Alec Campbell Cup - the side's first win since round one.

A COVID capacity crowd of 9007 ventured into UTAS for Launceston's first game of AFL in more than 600 days.

It was slow goings early on, until young Hawks forward Jacob Koschitzke (five goals) got loose from his man to mark in front of goal to get his side on board.

The Crows responded quickly as sleeve-totting Paul Seedsman dodging traffic to get the ball to Shane McAdam.

Midfielder Chankuoth Jiath's athleticism in the midfield made the Crows pay throughout the match, duking and feeding the ball through to an on-and-off Hawks forward line.

Riley Thilthorpe fed a high ball into the hands of Taylor Walker, finally getting into the groove for what would be a historic start for the side.

The debutant kicked his first goal, and then made it three in a row for the Crows.

"It's a credit to him - he's a hard worker and a professional," Crows coach Matthew Nicks said.

"It was a matter of us getting the timing right, I thought he played a really played a really important role for us at times during the game.

"We're really pleased with the grit of the players to hang in there and chip away slowly to get themselves back in the game."

Fellow big body forward Elliot Himmelberg (two goals) was also able to have his way with an under-sized Hawks back-line.

"Sometimes, as players, you can allow the scoreboard to play havoc with your mind," Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said.

"That's what was disappointing last week against Melbourne was they got that run-on and there was no time for us to get back in the game."

Adelaide's momentum piled on in the second.

The club had a record-setting day, scoring 15 consecutive goals to zero behinds, only seeing it end in the third quarter after a stray ball rolled across the goal-line.

The Crows led by more than seven goals in the second half, before the Hawks tilted the scales to their advantage.

In a bizarre third quarter substitution by the Crows, the side brought out medical sub Tom Lynch, who looked unprepared as he strapped up to get on the field in place of injured defender Will Hamill.

The Hawks weren't safe from injuries either, with veteran Shaun Burgoyne getting subbed out with an ankle injury in the second.

Fan-favourite Hawk Luke Breust kept a lively home crowd on their feet, booting three goals in the contest.

Kozzy did his part as well, launching a goal into the stands to keep his side within 20.

An illusive Jiath found his stride again in the third, creating opportunities for the Hawks' entry and steadying the ship in the mid.

A Mitch Lewis goal in the fourth brought his side within a point of the Crows.

Wayward kicking from the Hawks bought them a slim lead, but a tremendous back-line effort from Sam Frost and Tim O'Brien eventuated in the Hawks escaping by the skin of their teeth.

Clarkson said the win couldn't have come at more crucial time.

"I would've liked it to be a little easier than the way the game unfolded, but we can't be too choosy with the way things went," he said.