THE Buddy Franklin show was late starting, but it was the same old ending against Adelaide last night, and it finished Hawthorn's 14-year losing streak against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

After being reported in an ugly confrontation, and rarely allowed to touch the ball because of an outstanding defensive effort by Nathan Bock, Franklin came alive with a goal from 60 metres to spark a Hawk revival and ultimately the toughly contested four-point victory.

For Hawthorn to overcome injury setbacks, then toil and triumph against quality opposition, was outstanding. Adelaide again demonstrated it is a good side, but it won't be feeling like one as it tumbles down the ladder.

There were 36 minutes of magnificent, tight football leading up to the Franklin report, with Adelaide leading by nine points, and it became an issue whether Hawthorn, for all its might this season, had the composure to remain focused, and how well Adelaide would take advantage of the obvious effect it seemed to have on the Hawks.

After all, Franklin was having a dirty night — he had scored 0.4 and not taken a mark in the first half — while Adelaide was demonstrating exceptional discipline and sticking to its regimented game plan manufactured behind locked gates during the week.

Despite Franklin remaining out-of-sorts for most of the game, and even with the forced withdrawal of Chance Bateman during the game, Hawthorn was able to shrug aside the negatives and continue to test Adelaide's resolve.

The Crows led by two points at half-time, playing superb football under pressure, but a genuine premiership threat, you'd imagine, would have been three- or four-goal ahead. The Crows squandered five set shots for goal in the first half, keeping the Hawks firmly in the contest. In fairness, Adelaide also had a setback when defender Nathan Bassett was forced off early in the second term with a neck strain.

The tactics by the coaches were absorbing, with Adelaide employing five defenders across the midfield when attacking, and five midfielders across half-forward, while in defence, Hawthorn had only three players outside of Adelaide's 50-metre zone. Not surprisingly, it made the play tight, yet the skills under pressure by both sides, especially the precise passes, were excellent.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson used Franklin's mobility and versatility well to start the third quarter by having him chase kicks in the defensive 50. It seemed to work, with Franklin becoming increasingly involved without the close checking of an impressive Nathan Bock, and the Hawks finding more drive down the field.

Yet, as much as the coaches plotted and manipulated their teams, this game was all about making the fewest mistakes.

Hawthorn gained the lead for the second time minutes into the third term, then surrendered it easily. A 50-metre penalty against Jordan Lewis handed Adelaide a goal midway through the third term, and when a superb pass from Jarryd Roughead to Mark Williams near goal was blundered, one may have questioned the Hawks' ability to finish the job under pressure.

Within a minute, Jason Porplyzia kicked two goals, and a wave of confidence swept the crowd of 44,559. The Crows led by 13 points in a low-scoring game, but of course, Hawthorn didn't believe it was done.

Roughead, one of Hawthorn's best, kicked two goals during time-on, Adelaide squandered chances again and limped to a two-point lead at three-quarter-time.

The last quarter was some of the best pressure football seen at AAMI Stadium, with both teams going goal-for-goal, Luke Hodge displaying remarkable composure to sidestep two opponents to kick a goal that gave the Hawks a four-point lead at the 22-minute mark.

After Franklin sparked the Hawks early in the term, he missed a shot running into an open goal from 35 metres in the closing minutes, when a goal would have sealed the victory. It didn't matter. The Buddy show largely went to script.

HAWTHORN 2.3 5.5 8.7 11.10 (76)
ADELAIDE 2.4 5.7 8.10 10.12 (72)

GOALS Hawthorn: Roughead 3, Williams 2, Osborne 2, Franklin, Rioli, Hodge, Mitchell. Adelaide: Porplyzia 3, Edwards 2, Douglas 2, Jericho 2, Vince.

BEST Hawthorn: Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis, Brown, Roughead, Ellis. Adelaide: Bock, Johncock, Thompson, Goodwin, Maric, Edwards.

INJURIES Hawthorn: Croad (hip) replaced in selected side by Murphy. Bateman (hamstring), Morton (corked thigh). Adelaide: Reilly (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Otten. Bassett (neck).

REPORTS Hawthorn: Franklin by field umpire Wenn for alleged rough conduct on Doughty (Adelaide).

UMPIRES Vozzo, Wenn, Mollison.

CROWD 44,559 at AAMI Stadium.

THE UPSHOT The Hawks ended a 14-year drought at AAMI Stadium, and now Adelaide is sliding down the ladder. It again demonstrated the Hawks' resolve and progression.

TALKING POINT Despite losing, Adelaide's ability to stand up to the pressure applied by Hawthorn in a high-quality contest suggests the Crows might be better than some people interstate might have thought.

HOT AND COLD Lance Franklin had a cold night for most of the match, kicking one goal — at a crucial moment — though he was better in the second half when he was moved onto the ball. But it was certainly hot for his opponent, Nathan Bock, who was the highest match possession-getter with 35.