AFL

Hawks hold on after Magpies fourth-quarter scare

By AAP Newswire

Sep 20, 2025

Aine McDonagh kicked two goals for Hawthorn in their nine-point win over Collingwood. -AAP Image

Hawthorn have survived a late scare from a plucky Collingwood outfit to prevail by nine points and keep their AFLW top-four hopes alive.

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Goalless until the final quarter at Victoria Park, the Magpies slammed through three quick goals to reduce the deficit to three points.

But Hawthorn had the final say with a Jess Vukic goal steadying the visitors for a 5.9 (39) to 3.12 (30) win on Saturday.

Collingwood were flying high after stripping Sydney of their undefeated status last week, but now languish after suffering their fourth loss from six rounds.

Hawthorn bounced back after a 21-point loss to Adelaide last round to snare their fifth win.

A serious knee injury to Kalinda Howarth only added to Collingwood's woes.

The gun forward was in agony and clutched her right knee immediately after being tackled by Hawthorn's Laura Stone in the first quarter.

Howarth was playing in her sixth game since recovering from an ACL injury she suffered in 2023 while playing for Gold Coast.

Magpies coach Sam Wright could only confirm Howarth was substituted out at quarter-time, with the club to await scans.

Hawthorn will also sweat on the fitness of forward Bridie Hipwell, who had to be stretchered off in the third quarter with a lower left-leg injury.

Hipwell had appeared to clash legs with Ash Centra as her Magpies opponent tried to pass the ball off.

Aine McDonagh led the Hawks attack with two goals, while midfielder Eliza West and defender Tilly Lucas-Rodd saw plenty of the ball.

Last year's No.1 draft pick Centra's (23 touches, one goal) rise continued, while captain Ruby Schleicher kicked Collingwood's first goal.

McDonagh was initially denied first blood when the goal umpire ruled the Hawthorn forward's checkside kick as a behind, but score assist overturned the point as a goal.

A major from Greta Bodey built the Hawks' lead to 14 points, while the hosts could only manage two points at quarter-time.

Collingwood burst from the blocks after the break to take five forward entries to none.

But the Magpies couldn't find scoreboard reward before McDonagh kicked the only major of the second term after burning off defender Lauren Butler towards an open goal.

After a goalless third quarter from both sides, Keely Coyne hit the scoreboard for Hawthorn before Schleicher broke through and sparked a Collingwood challenge.