Hawthorn destroy North Melbourne by 85 points in Tasmania

North Melbourne have been dominated by Hawthorn at their home away from home in Tasmania. And even when the Devils enter the AFL in 2028, don’t expect the Hawks to step aside.

Jon Ralph and Jon Tuxworth

7 min read

8 hours ago

News Sport Network

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says he is keen for the Hawks to continue their 25-year association with Launceston as Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff promised six games a year in the north of the state.

Rockliff is deep in an election campaign that will shape Tasmania’s AFL licence, with both parties pledging to retain the Macquarie Point roofed stadium but needing the support of both houses of parliament.

Hawthorn is being paid a total of $9.1 million in 2026 and 2027 to play four home games in Launceston ahead of the Devils’ potential first season in 2028.

Rockliff on Saturday promised at least six games in Launceston from 2028 onwards, which would see the Hawks continuing to be paid to play in Tasmania.

The Hawks have been in Tasmania since 2001 and boast an impressive home record, with their latest victory over North Melbourne another strong reminder of their Launceston fortress.

Mitchell backed in the premier and said even if the Devils came into the competition they would always be the “enemy”.

“I shouldn’t get too involved in politics but I do feel like games for us up here, from a personal point of view I definitely want to keep playing here. We love coming down here,” he said.

“We feel like it’s a real homely palace. I brought my family down for this trip, on the edge of school holidays, we walked to the gorge a couple of times.

“Being able to experience Tassie is an important part of what this club has done for a quarter of a century and I would hope we can continue that and I know everyone is very positive about this new team but they are still going to be the enemy.”

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is deep in a campaign that could decide the fate of the Devils. Picture: Linda Higginson

The Tasmanian election will be held on July 19, which has pushed back a number of key timelines for the Devils.

But the league has urged its clubs to hold the line to continue supporting the team under the conditions of its licence, which includes a 23,000-seat roofed stadium.

Mitchell said he had stayed out of the politics of the newest team but believes it is critically important to continue playing games in Tasmania.

“If I am really honest I haven’t followed it closely enough to have a strong opinion on it,” he said.

“Having come to Tasmania for such a long period of time they love sport and Tasmanians in general love that. Being able to bring the game to them is important and we always feel proud of that and part of the community.

“As far as how the team works and the politics behind it, it’s not for me to be involved but I hope we can continue to have a strong relationship with the Tasmanian community.”

HOK YEAH: ROOS PULVERISED IN LAUNCESTON

Hawthorn’s mid season revival clicked into another gear as some magic from ‘The Wizard’ and evergreen Jack Gunston continued to turn back the clock after they spearheaded the Hawks to a 23.12 (150) to 9.11 (65) win over North Melbourne at Launceston on Saturday.

Fellow forward Mabior Chol also delivered one of his best AFL games with five goals, including a belter from the boundary, as the Hawks confirmed they’re returning to their best.

Gunston kicked a career-best seven goals in his 272nd game, and Watson’s starring first half included a goal of the year contender in Hawthorn’s ruthless win.

Jai Newcombe (27 touches, nine clearances) and Karl Amon (33 touches) also ran rampant for Hawthorn as the Roos took a couple of giant strides backwards after building up plenty of goodwill in a strong last few weeks.

Jack Gunston slotted seven goals. Picture: Getty Images

Hawthorn has beaten North Melbourne by a combined 209 points in their past two clashes at Launceston. The Hawks booted 26 goals in a 124-point victory over the Roos in the final round of last year.

“We needed to get going. We’ve been playing some good footy the last couple of weeks, but it was time to put the foot down,” Gunston told Fox Footy.

“I think we had a really good spread of goalkickers and spread the load. It was good to kick straight for once.”

Seventh heaven for Jack Gunston, a new career high ðŸ”¥ðŸ”¥

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— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) June 28, 2025

Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said Gunston is now reaping the benefits of his “selfless” work being a virtual coach on and off the field the past two years.

“I’m really rapt for him because he’s put in an enormous amount of work without reward,” Mitchell said.

“The work he’s done the past couple of years, he’s committed to helping other people. (Even today) he gave away two kicks inside 50 when he had kicked six, and everyone was very well versed he’d never kicked seven before.

“I was pretty happy for him when he did get there. He played in a manner which is very coach-like in helping players around him, and he’s getting the reward for the selfless work he’s done the past couple of years.”

The Hawks face the welcome prospect of fitting an embarrassment of riches in their forward line after Mitch Lewis impressed in his first game for Box Hill on Saturday since injuring his ACL in round 17 last year.

Calsher Dear was also a standout in the reserves after stress fractures in his back delayed his start to the season, while Max Ramsden stood up in the seniors with three goals.

“It’s a selection squeeze for down the road but I won’t be thinking about that tonight, that’s for sure,” Mitchell said.

"Chols Royce Run-down!": Chol Sinks Roos

Searching for a ninth straight victory at UTAS Stadium, the Hawks belted the Roos in every effort statistic to set up a match-winning 51-point halftime lead.

North Melbourne’s contested and clearance numbers have been strong recently in winning three games and drawing another against Brisbane its past six games.

But in the first half Hawthorn smashed them in inside 50s (36-18), clearances (27-18) tackles (32-18) and contested possessions (73-52) on their way to a third straight win.

The Roos were only slightly more competitive in the second half in another brutal reality check for their long-suffering fans.

The Hawks ran riot. Picture: Getty Images

The Hawks are now fourth on the live ladder after one of their best displays of the season.

On the other hand North Melbourne was meek and uncompetitive, especially in the first half, as the Hawks seemingly found space whenever they liked in an emphatic performance.

The Roos also lost to Hawthorn by 124 points in the final round of last season at Launceston, and their recent form line suggested a much more competitive performance was in store.

Instead they delivered arguably their most disappointing display of the year so far.

After a mid season hiccup where they dropped games against Gold Coast, Brisbane and Collingwood, the Hawks look to have regained their mojo with subsequent wins over the Bulldogs, Adelaide and North Melbourne.

Their transition from defence to attack was electric at times against a North Melbourne side who offered little defensive resistance.

"The Wizard doing wizardry!"

Nick Watson with a classic centre bounce goal.

ðŸ“º Watch #AFLHawksNorth LIVE on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/tEbIJrgEWO
âœï¸ BLOG https://t.co/kB8WqWSDsp
ðŸ”¢ MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/dW3mt4DgCa pic.twitter.com/Ttcfwkx7nE
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) June 28, 2025

WIZARD CONJURES GOAL OF THE YEAR CONTENDER

They call Nick Watson ‘The Wizard’ for a reason.

He kicked one of the goals of the season in the first quarter after bursting out of a centre bounce and handballed to Jai Newcombe, before icing the deal after getting it back from his star teammate.

But he showed how enigmatic he is by missing another first quarter shot from 25 metres out straight in front after receiving a dubious free kick.

The goalsneak brushed that off to kick another two goals before halftime and help slam the door shut on the Roos.

Jack Gunston’s incredible season also shows no signs of slowing down after he kicked an equal career high six goals.

Mitch Lewis made his return from injury in the VFL on Saturday, but Gunston, Mabior Chol (five goals) and Watson could make him work hard to break back into the forward line.

Mabior Chol enjoys his own brilliance. Picture: Getty Images

WARDLAW’S DRAMAS CONTINUE

North Melbourne’s forgettable day was exacerbated further after prime mover George Wardlaw was forced off after suffering a suspected concussion.

Wardlaw was subbed off in the second quarter after he was hit be a legal Conor Nash bump. It’s the 21-year-old’s third concussion the past two years, and the Kangaroos will take every possible precaution with one of their most valuable assets.

Asked if Wardlaw may need a longer break, Roos coach Alastair Clarkson said: “It’s not up to me to decide that, the medicos will work that out with his recovery.

George Wardlaw will miss another game with concussion. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s combative in the way he plays and it’s going to happen from time to time.

“He’s OK, I spoke to him in the rooms and he can remember the game and that sort of stuff.

“The protocols suggest he had to come out of the game so he’ll miss the Bulldogs game which is unfortunate, but hopefully he gets back on the park pretty soon.”

It added an exclamation point to a dirty afternoon for the Roos, who simply didn’t compete with Hawthorn. After several weeks of strong form many felt they may have finally turned a corner, but the result exposed the still sizeable gap between them and the AFL’s best teams.

The display is horrible timing before their 100th birthday celebrations against the Bulldogs on Thursday night.