'Emotional' Hawks kick off Tassie farewell as star Crow injured Hawthorn claimed a nine point victory over Adelaide in Launceston, but the outcome was overshadowed by the AFL's decision to expel the Hawks from playing home games in Tasmania by 2028.
Coach Sam Mitchell acknowledged that the past 24 hours had been "a bit emotional" for the club. The move is part of a broader shift in Australian Rules football, driven by the increasing commercialization of the sport.
Tasmania's entry into the AFL fold in 2028 will bring significant changes, including Hawthorn's relocation from their temporary base in Launceston.