Hawthorn vs Melbourne AFLW LIVE: Star’s brain fade gifts the Hawks a key goal as they make their charge

Roy WardUpdated August 13, 2026 — 8:31pm,first published 6:48pmKey PostsHow our experts tipped this roundBy Latest Posts8.31pmMcDonagh puts the Hawks aheadBy Aine McDonagh has pulled in a strong mark and booted her third goal as the Hawks take the lead.She is a match winner and Jac Dupuy’s set-up work from the half-forward line has been so helpful for her Irish teammate.The Hawks are doing a super job of keeping the ball locked in their forward half.Hawks 41, Dees 40 with seven mins to go in Q3.Aine McDonagh of the Hawks celebrates kicking a goal.Getty ImagesHow our experts tipped this roundBy 8.25pmDees a player down as Hose hurtBy Dees ruck Jacinta Hose is out for the rest of the night with a left ankle injury.Melbourne will be down a player, while Hose will hopefully not miss too much time. There was some concern, though, as she needed help to get to the locker room after her injury.Dees 40, Hawks 35 with 12 mins to go in Q3.8.15pmWatch: Bannan’s intercept denies the HawksBy Alyssa Bannan made this huge intercept to deny Hawthorn an easy goal.8.07pmHT: Melbourne 6.4 (40) to Hawthorn 5.3 (33)By That term was won by the Hawks who ran in numbers and played brave footy, creating goals in the process.Aine McDonagh has been stellar, while Dees skipper Kate Hore and onballer Olivia Purcell have dominated the contest.The Hawks will rue missing a late chance at goal, this game is so well poised going into the second half.Megan Fitzsimon and Emily Bates compete for the ball.AFL Photos8.05pmAustin kicks her third as Harris turns providerBy Tayla Harris has created a goal for the Dees as she booted a long, bouncing kick forward and it rolled into the goal square, where Mia Austin won the race to the ball and soccered it home.That was great vision from Harris.But the Dees have conceded straight away as the Hawks won it from the middle and sent it forward, where Jac Dupuy was given a downfield free kick and booted a goal.Dees 40, Hawks 33 with a minute to go in Q2.8.00pmMcDonagh boots her secondBy Here come the Hawks! They’ve kicked two goals in a matter of minutes, with Aine McDonagh winning a free kick and kicking her second goal.She is an absolute superstar and just so dangerous close to goal.Jacinta Hose has limped off after hurting her ankle during a ball-up.Dees 34, Hawks 27 with five mins to go in Q2.Aine McDonagh and Poppy Stockwell of the Hawks celebrate a goal.AFL Photos7.57pm‘Show her some respect’: Hore runs rampantBy The goals have yet to arrive in the second term but Kate Hore continues to run rampant for the Dees, along with Olivia Purcell who returns from injury.“How does she [Hore] have so much space there? Someone from Hawthorn needs to take some accountability and [man] her up,” Kate McCarthy said on Seven.“Show her some respect.”The Hawks were just given a 50-metre penalty when Tayla Harris ran through the mark. Kaityn Ashmore booted the subsequent goal for the Hawks.Dees 34, Hawks 21 with six mins to go in Q2.Kate Hore of the Demons marks the ball.Getty Images7.51pmDupuy impressing for HawksBy Jac Dupuy is playing her 50th AFLW match tonight but only her first game for the Hawks after crossing from Gold Coast Suns during the off-season.Her strong hands have been super so far, and she had a shot for goal that just missed.Neither side has booted a goal yet in the second term, but both are creating chances.Dees 31, Hawks 16 with 12 mins to go in Q2.Jacqueline Dupuy of the Hawks leads the team out.Getty Images1 of 3