A tight tussle ended in a heartbreak for a gutsy Port Adelaide side, with a five-goal haul from Nick Watson leading the charge for Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

Just three points split the sides at the full-time siren following an exciting, see-sawing affair between the two teams.

Watson flaunted his deep array of spells, kicking a career-high five goals in a variety of ways that show why he’s the best small forward in the competition right now, leading Hawthorn to a fifth consecutive win.

Hawthorn needed something special in the second half. After kicking seven first-quarter goals to almost kill the game by the first break, Port Adelaide shocked Sam Mitchell's side by kicking all six goals of the second quarter to lead by nine points at half-time.

The Power then went punch for punch in one of the games of the season. And they could have won it. Mitch Georgiades had a set shot with 45 seconds left from 45 metres out to win the game but pushed the ball across the face.

The Hawks held on to win 13.11 (89) to 13.8 (86), with co-captain James Sicily intercepting Port Adelaide's final foray forward.

Watson ended a 37-minute wait between goals, converting a set shot from a free kick, before soon snapping his fifth.

But it was a day where Josh Carr's side showed true grit, led by two superstars for the Power.

Jason Horne-Francis dominated in a Patrick Dangerfield manner, standing out with his core strength, hands and brutality, finishing with 28 disposals, seven score involvements, 501 metres gained and 2.2.

After enduring a week where his integrity was questioned at the AFL Tribunal and his name was discussed ad nauseum, Zak Butters demonstrated his character with a dominant display around the ball, amassing 35 disposals, 16 contested possessions and a goal.

Hawthorn is stacked with key forward depth. With Mabior Chol straining his hamstring at Gather Round and Jack Gunston managing a corked calf, Mitchell rewarded two young spearheads with royal brown and gold blood. And they delivered.

Calsher Dear has endured a frustrating 12 months with his body and form, but the 20-year-old showed on Saturday that he is a star of the future.

Debutant Will McCabe looked comfortable at the level from the outset, after waiting over 800 days to get his first chance at AFL level, kicking his first goal when the Hawks needed it most by converting a set shot from deep in the pocket late in the game, just when they needed a goal.

Mitch Lewis continued his purple patch with three more goals, including a crucial set shot late, enhancing his status as one of the most attractive free agents of 2026.