Hawthorn has given Shaun Burgoyne a fitting finish to his 350th game, dominating Adelaide by 56 points at the MCG.
Despite a slow and sloppy start, the second half saw Hawthorn kick into gear with seven unanswered goals in the third quarter to put Adelaide's finals hopes in real strife.
As the Crows succumbed to their fourth loss in a row - something that hasn’t occurred since 2011 - last year’s Grand Final favorite didn't have an answer to the explosive Hawthorn defence.
Although suffering from significant injuries, Adelaide's intensity was almost obsolete and was unable to match that of the aggressive and unrelenting Hawks.
With both teams looking to claw their way into the top-eight, every score was pivotal as the two battled to keep their hopes of a finals appearance alive.
The power and experience from Hawthorn was exceptional early on, with the home side locking the ball in their forward half and forcing numerous turnovers through the midfield.
But their inability to convert their pressure onto the scoreboard proved to be an issue, with the first major being scored at the 13-minute mark minutes of the term through Liam Shiels.
It was only the beginning for the Hawthorn as the Crows started to crumble under pressure, and subsequently struggled to pounce on Hawthorn’s errant kicks.
Sam Jacobs soon breathed some life back into the Crows, slotting his side's first with a few minutes left on the clock, yet Paul Puopolo quickly replied moments later, extending the margin to nine points at quarter-time.
Despite the domination of Hawthorn, their kicking efficiency in front of goal was appalling in the first term, scoring only 2.5 opposed to Adelaide’s equally poor 1.2.
The second term was much of the same, with Jacobs booting the his second after 12 minutes of play to give Adelaide some face in what was quickly becoming a disastrous outing.
Blake Hardwick got the ball rolling for the Hawks, who swooped in to restore their advantage.
The goal - thanks to efforts Tom Mitchell and Jack Gunston - was indicative of Adelaide’s inability to move the ball effectively through the corridor and into their forward 50.
But the Crows refused to yield, with the veteran Eddies Betts getting the few Adelaide supporters roaring after putting through just Adelaide’s third major of the game in remarkable fashion.
With the margin sitting at just four points, it was anyone’s game going into the second half.
It was ultimately Hawthorn who came out firing in the third term, booting seven unanswered goals to put the Crows well and truly out of the contest.
Much like the first half, Hawthorn continued to dominate the ball with two quick goals to James Sicily and Gunston, and it was only start for the Hawks as they continued to steam ahead.
With Hawthorn booting seven consecutive goals, the Crows struggled to find continuity up against the Hawks’ defensive structure, being left scoreless for the term as a result.
Sicily was a dangerous force in the Hawks‘ forward line, scoring three goals just minutes apart with little to no resistance from the Adelaide defence.
The Crows, unable to provide an answer or to get so much as a reply to the Hawthorn's scoring blitz, were hopeless as the relentless Hawks surged ahead, ending the term 48 points in front.
Desperate to reduce the margin and prevent an utter humiliaton, Adelaide came out firing in the last quarter trying anything to get the ball into their forward 50.
But the Hawks were just too good as skipper Jarryd Roughead continued to extend their lead, booting the first for the term.
Despite a late burst from Josh Jenkins to try and keep the Crows somewhat within the match, the efforts came too late.
As Shaun Burgoyne capped his 350th game off with a classy goal with just minutes to spare, the veteran sealed the much-needed 56-point victory for the Hawks.
Hawthorn will look to continue their dominance when they take on the Gold Coast Suns next Saturday at University of Tasmania Stadium, while Adelaide will look to battle it out again when they face Richmond in another Grand Final rematch on their home turf.
HAWTHORN 2.5 3.9 10.11 12.16 (88)
ADELAIDE 1.2 3.5 3.5 4.8 (32)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Sicily 3, Breust, Smith, Ceglar, Gunston, Burgoyne, Roughead, Hardwick, Shiels, Puopolo
Adelaide: Jacobs 2, Betts, Jenkins
BEST
Hawthorn: Mitchell, O’Meara, Burgoyne, Gunston, Sicily
Adelaide: Gibbs, Crouch, Kelly, Jacob, Gibson
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Frawley (migraine, replaced in the selected side by Kaiden Brand)
Adelaide: Gibson (hamstring), Seedsman (hip)
TALKING POINTS
1. 350 GAMES OF SILK
It was a momentous occasion in more ways than one for the Hawks, who not only kept their finals hopes alive, but also gave Shaun Burgoyne a fitting finish to his 350th match.
Starting his career at Port Adelaide, the Hawthorn veteran sits second for the most VFL/AFL games played by an indigenous player, only behind Adam Goodes (372).
It was a classy performance tonight from Burgoyne, who finished with 24 disposals, six clearances and a goal in the fourth quarter.
Given his current form, there's a more than likely chance - should he remain injury-free - that the 35-year-old will put the boots on for one more season.
He's called 'Silk' for a reason.
2. HAWKS TURN IT ON IN THE THIRD
With only four points separating the two sides at half-time, it looked to be anyone's game going into the second half.
But the third term belonged solely to Hawthorn, as the home side piled on seven unanswered goals, three of which came off the boot of James Sicily.
With the ball spending majority in the quarter in the Hawks' forward 50, the Crows were left scoreless as their opposition surged forward with relative ease.
Hawthorn's dominance was even more telling all over the ground, winning the clearance count 41-19 and easily outrunning the injury-ravaged visitors.
Coming off the bye, tonight was exactly the result the Hawks were hoping for to keep their slim finals aspirations alive - with Gold Coast next week, Hawthorn stand a real chance of jumping into the top-eight.
3. WOES FOR THE CROWS
Now registering four successive losses, it's been nothing short of a horror run for the Crows, whose well-documented injury woes this season have been the major story of their season.
It once again showed tonight following their humiliating 56-point defeat, with Adelaide kept scoreless in the third term and kicking just four behinds for the match.
Barely able to lay a touch on the Hawks and completely devoid of pressure around the contest, tonight's loss puts Adelaide's hopes of making the finals in real strife.
Now sitting in 11th on the ladder and with a tricky month ahead, it's looking like a miracle will be needed for the Crows to squeeze in to the top-eight.
Maybe that miracle will come in the form of Rory Sloane.
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