Burton snared three goals and took a trademark screamer as the Crows eclipsed the Hawks 2.13.11 (107) to 1.11.9 (84) in Saturday night's semi-final at AAMI Stadium.
Adelaide will host St Kilda in the grand final next Saturday night.
Evergreen Burton, lurking on the forward lines, thrilled the home crowd when he sat on the shoulders of beleaguered Hawk Zac Dawson to mark in the third quarter.
Burton's influence on an even contest was surpassed only by his teammate Scott Thompson, who was a prolific possession winner and also kicked two goals in a best-on-ground display.
The Hawks were well served by captain Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge, Lance Franklin (four goals) and the reliable Brad Sewell, while youngster Cyril Rioli impressed with two goals in a lively performance.
Adelaide leapt from the blocks and registered four goals, including a super goal to onballer Brad Symes, before the Hawks notched a major.
The dominant opening was inspired by Thompson and enabled Adelaide to record a commanding 21-point lead at quarter-time.
But form and fortunes were reversed in the second stanza as a Brent Guerra super goal set Hawthorn on a roll which reaped a further five goals for the term to level the scores at 56 apiece at halftime.
With a match-winner needed, Burton kicked two goals in the third quarter as the Crows held Hawthorn goal-less for the term and established an 18-point buffer at the last break.
But any thoughts of cruising to victory were eliminated by Hawk star Franklin who, after a quiet match, suddenly emerged to boot three last quarter goals to at one stage whittle Adelaide's lead to just a solitary point.
However a super goal to Crow Chris Knights, a snapped major from rookie ruckman Kurt Tippett and two late goals to Jason Porplyzia secured Adelaide a home grand final against the Saints.
Adelaide coach Neil Craig said his club would be "playing absolutely flat out" in the pre-season grand final against St Kilda - but he was also mindful to use the match as further preparation for the season proper.
"Winning is important to us, make no mistake," Craig said.
"As I have said before, the mentality in which our team takes the ground is the most important thing.
"And we still need to make sure we use the NAB Cup to finalise our preparation for round one.
"But we'll be playing absolutely flat out with the team that we have got."
Hawthorn's loss was soured by a potentially serious knee injury to youngster Beau Muston, who limped from the ground in the second quarter after a seemingly innocuous tangle for the ball.
Hawks coach Alistair Clarkson said the extent of Muston's injury would be revealed by scans on Sunday.
"We have to wait and see what the result of the scan is but it doesn't look good for 'Musto'," Clarkson said.
"He's a terrific lad and he's worked really really hard and we'll do whatever we can, if it's a bad one, to give him the support that he needs.
"Fingers crossed it will just be a wrench rather than a bad one."
Adelaide 1.4.3 1.7.5 1.10.8 2.13.11 (107)
Hawthorn 0.2.3 1.7.5 1.7.8 1.11.9 (84)
GOALS
Adelaide: Supergoals: Symes, Knights. Goals: Burton 3, Thompson 2, Porplyzia 2, Symes, Edwards, McLeod, Sellar, McGregor, Tippett
Hawthorn: Supergoals: Guerra. Goals: Franklin 4, Rioli 2, Boyle, Stokes, Hodge, Osborne, Roughead
BEST
Adelaide: Thompson, Burton, Van Berlo, Porplyzia, Edwards, Bock
Hawthorn: Sewell, Hodge, Franklin, Mitchell, Rioli
Reports: Nil
Injuries: Adelaide: Nil. Hawthorn: Muston (knee)
Umpires: Margetts, Donlon, Ryan
Official crowd: N/A at AAMI Stadium
