Hawthorn has farewelled Launceston for the last time this season with a 14.15 (99) to 12.11 (83) victory over North Melbourne at York Park, as the city grapples with what life will look like without the Hawks.
Nick Watson starred with five goals, firing the Hawks back into the contest after they trailed by 17 points at quarter time.
Watson kicked three straight in the second term to drag Hawthorn level, with the lead changing hands 12 times across the afternoon.
Josh Battle’s first goal of the year early in the final quarter pushed the margin to double digits, before Mabior Chol sealed the win with a brilliant finish from the boundary.
Skipper Jai Newcombe collected 34 disposals and 12 clearances, while Launceston local Colby McKercher kicked his first AFL goal in his home town and gathered 21 touches.
The on-field result was only part of the story, with emotions running high as the Hawks near the end of a 25-year arrangement to play home games in the city.
Hawthorn has been paid around $1 million per game by the Tasmanian government since 2001, playing four games a year in recent years.
“There’s a bit of sadness and nostalgia around,” Hawthorn’s Tasmanian head of operations David Cox said.
The AFL announced in May that Hawthorn would leave Tasmania to make way for the Tasmania Devils, who enter the competition in 2028.
Hawthorn said at the time it was “extremely disappointed” in the AFL’s decision to “force” the end to the relationship with Launceston and Tasmania.
Hawthorn will play their final Tasmanian games next year.
