Melbourne Demons defeat Hawthorn Hawks in tight MCG battle

In a closely contested AFL match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Demons (Melbourne) and the Hawks (Hawthorn) were level at the first break, each scoring three goals and three behinds (21 points). Hawthorn’s Nick Watson kicked a late goal to tie the scores, while Demons forward Harrison Petty was on fire, delivering two early goals and another short‑range snap. The game featured a 50‑metre penalty after Demons’ Ed Langdon appealed to the big‑screen replay, giving Hawthorn’s Dylan Moore a chance to score.

The match also saw Hawks star Jack Ginnivan suffer a knee knock and be taken off the field. Later in the round, Adelaide recorded a dominant 68‑point win over North Melbourne, underscoring a strong performance for the Crows.