Bridie Hipwell and Greta Bodey celebrate a goal for Hawthorn against Port Adelaide in R9, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

AN ELECTRIFYING four-goal haul from Greta Bodey has propelled Hawthorn to a nail-biting victory over Port Adelaide at Kinetic Stadium on Sunday.

In a momentum-swinging, frantic affair in Frankston, the Hawks simply took their chances late to claim the 6.4 (40) to 5.2 (32) win.

Bodey ultimately proved the difference, with the forward classy and composed in booting the only two goals of the final term to see the Hawks fly home.

HAWKS v POWER Full match coverage and stats

The win ensured a memorable celebration for Emily Bates, who joined Ally Anderson and Ebony Marinoff this round in becoming the first players to reach 75 AFLW games.

Bates put in a typically industrious performance with 12 tackles, 18 disposals and a special goal, supported in the engine room by Tilly Lucas-Rodd (21 disposals, including seven in the last quarter) and young gun Jasmine Fleming.

Ruck Lucy Wales was everywhere and though she lost the hit-out count to rival Matilda Scholz, she played like another onballer with a remarkable 17 contested possessions.

05:54

AFLW Highlights: Hawthorn v Port Adelaide

The Hawks and Power clash in round nine of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season

It set the tone for a strong stoppage performance from the Hawks, a key metric after last week's fadeout against Richmond.

In that loss, they were minus-22 in clearances, but turned it around on Sunday with a 35-28 count, proving pivotal in the final result.

The Power will head back to Adelaide after another shattering finish. They squandered a late lead against Gold Coast last week and had to settle for a draw.

Port on Sunday looked the better team at three-quarter time, but didn't have the weapons when it mattered.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:51

    Happy Hipwell delivers opener in no time

    Bridie Hipwell gets on the end of a tireless Hawthorn chain to open proceedings

    AFLW
  • 00:29

    Pope pops up for sizzling finish

    Katelyn Pope quickly throws the footy on her boot to earn this crafty major

    AFLW
  • 00:56

    Bates worth the wait with special first goal for Hawks

    Emily Bates lays a ferocious tackle and is finally rewarded with her first major in new colours

    AFLW
  • 00:38

    Greta the great catches fire with two in two

    Hawthorn heads into half-time with a handy lead after Greta Bodey conjures a pair of clever goals in short time

    AFLW
  • 00:38

    Houghton helps ignite the Power with pair of gems

    Gemma Houghton edges Port Adelaide one step closer to taking the lead with these two goals in quick succession

    AFLW
  • 05:54

    AFLW Highlights: Hawthorn v Port Adelaide

    The Hawks and Power clash in round nine of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season

    AFLW
  • 01:32

    Bodey brings her best in flashy four-goal show

    Greta Bodey helps get the Hawks over the line with a starring performance in the forward line that included four goals

    AFLW
  • 02:30

    AFLW full post-match, R9: Power

    Watch Port Adelaide's press conference after round nine's match against Hawthorn

    AFLW
  • 02:56

    AFLW full post-match, R9: Hawks

    Watch Hawthorn's press conference after round nine's match against Port Adelaide

    AFLW
  • 10:09

    AFLW Mini-Match: Hawthorn v Port Adelaide

    Extended highlights of the Hawks and Power clash in round nine of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season

    AFLW

Land of the giants
Both teams' rucks were everywhere, racking up disposals at will to effectively play as fourth midfielders for their sides. Wales was monumental for the Hawks, dominating not only contested possession but also proving damaging with high disposal efficiency. Scholz, meanwhile, dazzled for the Power in an entertaining ruck duel, getting the better of Wales in the hit-out count.

Bates' special moment
Superstar Emily Bates marked her milestone match with a blazing chase-down tackle in the forward 50 midway through the second term, following it up with an important set-shot conversion to put the Hawks back in front, her first goal for her new club. If the League best-and-fairest winner's value to her side wasn't already obvious, it was crystal clear on Sunday with teammates charging in from all corners of the ground to congratulate her. The scene was reminiscent of a young player kicking their first career goal.

00:56

Bates worth the wait with special first goal for Hawks

Emily Bates lays a ferocious tackle and is finally rewarded with her first major in new colours

Bodey's double-blow
Following Bates' memorable moment, Bodey blew the game wide open with a pair of majors in quick succession late in the second term, building a buffer for her side. Her second goal was a particular highlight, crumbing from a marking contest before kicking truly from the pocket just two seconds before the halftime siren.

01:32

Bodey brings her best in flashy four-goal show

Greta Bodey helps get the Hawks over the line with a starring performance in the forward line that included four goals

Up next
The Hawks head down the highway to take on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in a tough challenge for their young group, considering the Cats will be desperate to cement a finals berth. The Power conclude their season with a home game against the Giants. All eyes will be on veteran Erin Phillips, with the much-celebrated South Australian to decide on whether to draw the curtain on an illustrious career.

HAWTHORN 1.0 4.2 4.3 6.4 (40)
PORT ADELAIDE 2.1 2.1 5.1 5.2 (32)

GOALS
HAWTHORN: Bodey 4, Bates, Hipwell
PORT ADELAIDE: Houghton 2, Ewings, Pope, Saint

BEST
HAWTHORN: Bodey, Wales, Bates, Baskaran, Lucas-Rodd
PORT ADELAIDE: Scholz, Houghton, Dowrick, Syme

INJURIES
HAWTHORN: Nil
PORT ADELAIDE: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 1,771 at Kinetic Stadium