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Hawthorn Hawks vs Gold Coast Suns AFL Round 7 Tips - Hawks to pull a rabbit out of the hat in Tassie

adam-cusworth
Adam Cusworth
Editor
Last updated: Thu 23 Apr 2026 12:32

In Round 7 of AFL 2026, an exciting ANZAC Day matchup is expected between Hawthorn Hawks and Gold Coast Suns. The Hawks edge out on the ladder with a 5-1 record, while the Suns stand at 4-2. Despite possessing a formidable midfield led by Christian Petracca and Matt Rowell, Gold Coast's defense is vulnerable. Hawthorn, having won their last ten matches at UTAS Stadium, aims to leverage home advantage and pressure the Suns' midfield to seize victory. Both sides display strong forward options, making for a potentially high-scoring contest.

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Adam Cusworth 23 Apr 2026
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  • The game will be played at UTAS Stadium on Saturday, 25th April, with the bounce at 12:15 PM (AEST)
  • Can the Hawks make it 11 wins in a row in Launceston?
  • Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bet
Hawthorn Hawks vs Gold Coast Suns

Hawthorn Hawks vs Gold Coast Suns, Round 7 2026 - Expert Prediction

Hawthorn will edge past the Gold Coast Suns in what shapes as a cracking ANZAC Day battle between a couple of the top four combatants.

The Hawks shade the Suns on the ladder with their 5-1 win-loss record and sit 2nd, while the Suns are 4-2 and 4th.

Both sides escaped with wins last weekend, with the Hawks edging past Port Adelaide by three points, while the Suns accounted for Essendon by nine in a high-scoring match.

Gold Coast boast one of the most star-studded midfields in the competition, headlined by Christian Petracca and Matt Rowell, and that is where this contest will be won or lost. 

Hawthorn will look to pressure the Suns midfield group to deny them clean exits, allowing the Hawks defenders to pick off rushed entries and hurt the Suns on the rebound.

That will suit Hawthorn’s set up further up the ground and with multiple scoring options, including Jack Gunston, Mitch Lewis and Nick Watson, they can take this out  in a tight one, with the home ground advantage also proving decisive.

  • Hawthorn have won their past 10 matches at UTAS Stadium.
  • The home side has won the past 10 meetings between the Hawks and the Suns.
  • Matt Rowell has had 30+ disposals in his past two matches.
  • Nick Watson kicked five goals last weekend and booted three the last time the two sides met.

Head to Head Stats


Gold Coast have won the past three matches between the two sides, including the Round 10 fixture in 2025 by eight points in Darwin. Those three matches have all been held in Queensland or the Northern Territory with the Suns as the home side.

Hawthorn took out the most recent encounter at UTAS Stadium by seven points in 2022, and the home side has won the past 10 matches between the two sides.

Standout player performances in recent head-to-head meetings come from:

  • Jai Newcombe – 25+ disposals in his past three against the Suns
  • Ben King – 12 goals in his past four matches against the Hawks
  • Noah Anderson – 35+ disposals in his past two against the Hawks
  • Nick Watson – three goals in the most recent head-to-head

Hawthorn Hawks Form Analysis


Hawthorn sit at 5-1 in 2026 and scraped through with a three-point win over Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium in Round 6. Their strengths are built on a high-pressure, intensity-driven game style, with strong intercept marking and forward-half territory control.

But the Power found a way with some clever inside 50 entries, avoiding Hawthorn’s interceptors to provide a scare in the second term with six goals to none before the Hawks steadied. Nick Watson booted five goals, while Mitch Lewis chimed in with three.

Lewis stood tall in the absence of Jack Gunston with three goals and has hit that mark in his last two matches. Watson has booted 16 goals from six matches in 2026, while Gunston has 19 from five.

Jai Newcombe had 24 disposals against the Power and had 25 or more in his three matches prior, while Jack Ginnivan had 20 and has hit that mark in five of his past six.

The Hawks head to UTAS Stadium for the first time this season and have won their past 10 at the venue. They are unbeaten in home matches in 2026.

Gold Coast Suns Form Analysis


Gold Coast snapped a two-game losing streak with their nine-point win over Essendon but didn’t have it all their own way, losing the clearance battle and trailing in tackles (71-51).

The game was a high-scoring affair, with Gold Coast kicking 17.17 (119), the fourth time they have passed 100 points in 2026. They come in with a 4-2 win-loss record.

Ben King kicked three goals and leads the AFL goalkicking table with 24 from six matches. Christian Petracca starred with 25 disposals and three goals in his return, while Matt Rowell had 35 disposals, making it two in a row with 30+.

Despite the star power and some big scoring totals, their defensive structure is still a work in progress. Against Hawthorn’s pressure game, that remains a significant vulnerability. 

Hawthorn Hawks vs Gold Coast Suns Team List & News


Hawthorn: Seven changes headline the Anzac Day clash, with Jack Gunston back but James Sicily and Dylan Moore suspended. Finn Maginness, Harry Morrison, Jack Dalton and Jack Scrimshaw all return.

Gold Coast: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will make his club debut and Noah Anderson returns from appendix surgery. Charlie Ballard and Joel Jeffrey are omitted.

HawthornPOSGold Coast Suns
J. Weddle, T. Barrass, J. ImpeyBO. Adams, S. Collins, M. Andrew
M. D’Ambrosio, J. Battle, B. HardwickHBB. Uwland, W. Powell, D. Rioli
F. Maginness, C. Nash, K. AmonCL. Weller, C. Petracca, Z. Uwland
H. Morrison, M. Lewis, J. GunstonHFT. Miller, B. Humphrey, L. Lombard
J. Dalton, C. Dear, N. WatsonFJ. Ugle-Hagan, B. King, B. Long
N. Reeves, J. Newcombe, C. MackenzieFOLLJ. Witts, N. Anderson, M. Rowell
J. Scrimshaw, L. Meek, J. Ward, C. Macdonald, J. GinnivanI/CJ. Noble, J. Walter, E. Read, W. Graham, J. Rogers

Hawthorn Hawks vs Gold Coast Suns AFL 2026 Round 7 FAQ’s

How to watch Hawthorn Hawks vs Gold Coast Suns AFL 2026 Round 7?

You can watch the Hawthorn Hawks vs Gold Coast Suns AFL 2026 Round 7 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Hawthorn Hawks vs Gold Coast Suns AFL 2026 Round 7?

To buy tickets to the Hawthorn Hawks vs Gold Coast Suns AFL 2026 Round 7 game check the AFL website or the official Hawthorn Hawks site.

Verdict

Hawthorn in a close one with Watson amongst the goals. Rowell to have a major say in proceedings for the Suns
Best Bet1: Hawthorn Match Winner $1.58 at dabble - 1 Unit
Best Bet2: Matt Rowell To Have 30+ disposals $1.80 at dabble - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: Nick Watson To Score 2+ goals $1.64 at dabble - 1 Unit
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Hawthorn Hawks v Gold Coast Suns

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