Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Hawthorn vs Gold Coast ended with the Hawks claiming a 17.11 (113) to 14.13 (97) AFL win at People First Stadium on Friday night, as Sam Mitchell’s side used centre-square power and fast scoring bursts to punish the Suns.

The result moved Hawthorn to 9-1-4 and third place, while Gold Coast slipped to a fourth straight defeat and lost Daniel Rioli to a likely fractured jaw. In front of 19,576 fans, the Suns had early ball use but were hurt badly by centre clearances and turnovers.

For more on the same AFL clash, read Hawthorn vs Gold Coast: Hawks Surge Past Suns As Daniel Rioli Suffers Injury Blow, while official match details are available through the AFL match centre.

Hawks Win The Midfield Battle

Hawthorn won the centre clearances 20-12, with Gold Coast losing all nine in the third quarter before taking the final four.

Jai Newcombe led the charge with two goals, 30 disposals and 10 clearances, while Will Day gave Hawthorn clean drive from the middle. Dylan Moore kicked four goals and Nick Watson added three, including a sharp grubber after weaving through traffic.

"They're just good at footy," Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said of his game-breakers.

"And when you play sides with as much quality you're going to need a couple of talent goals.

"Handling momentum is every coach's desire ... we lost control regularly, but didn't get scored against too heavily."

Suns Rally But Fall Short

Gold Coast opened with 71 uncontested possessions to Hawthorn’s 44 in the first quarter, but the match turned when Jed Walter dropped a mark and Mitch Lewis scored at the other end.

The Hawks then kicked five goals in 10 minutes and reached half-time with a 21-point lead. Gold Coast fought back through Touk Miller and later closed to seven points by the final change, but Hawthorn struck again early in the last term.

Connor Macdonald made the Suns pay after Mac Andrew spilt a tough mark, before former Gold Coast player Mabior Chol snapped a goal and celebrated hard.

Ben Long kicked four goals, Noah Anderson had 43 disposals, and Nick Holman battled for a goal in his 150th AFL match, but Hawthorn had enough control late.

"Two things: (conceding) 5.4 from centre bounce and eight goals from turning the ball over in our front half, which was Suns killing Suns," coach Damien Hardwick said.

"You're judged by outcome but our game for most of the night ... was pretty strong."