Hawthorn returns to the MCG this Saturday afternoon to do battle with Melbourne in a Round 9 match-up.

The third-place Hawks will look to claim their seventh win of 2025 against the 15th-place Demons, who have won their past three games.

Midfielder Josh Ward will line up for his 50^th game in the brown and gold, after being drafted at Pick 7 in the 2021 draft.

Here's all you need to know ahead of the first bounce:

WHO: Melbourne v Hawthorn
WHAT: Round 9
WHERE: MCG
WHEN: Saturday 10 May
TIME: 1.20pm AEST
BROADCAST: Fox Footy/Kayo

How to watch

Following along at home? The game will be broadcast on Fox Footy and can be streamed through Kayo.

Don’t have Kayo? Click HERE to check out our Hawks on Demand membership and save on 12 months of Kayo.

Follow @hawthornfc on Instagram, X and Facebook to remain updated on all the behind-the-scenes action on game day.

Last time we met

Hawthorn (38) defeated by Melbourne (93) in Round 2, 2024.  

The Hawks suffered a 55-point loss to the Demons at the MCG, after a five goals to nil opening term set up Melbourne’s victory.

New Hawk in Nick Watson finally kicked his first goal in AFL football after kicking 0.3 in his debut game the week prior and another 0.3 against Melbourne, before his set-shot sailed through in the third term for a major.  

James Worpel and James Sicily led the Hawks for disposals with 27, six score involvements and seven intercept possessions respectively, they were both among the best players.

Jack Scrimshaw finished with 26 disposals and nine intercept possessions, Josh Weddle kicked one goal from 21 disposals and 10 marks, while Karl Amon had 22 disposals and four intercept possessions to round out the best on for the brown and gold.

MCG Inclusion Project

The Inclusion Project is proudly partnering with the Hawthorn Football Club to assist with making the match-day experience more accessible for those living with hidden disabilities.

We will be operating a Sensory Room supported by an Occupational Therapist who will be available to assist fans as needed in the space.

We will also have our Inclusion Project Officers at main entrances to assist if you require during the match.

If you have any questions or assistance head to Gate 3 and look for our Inclusion Project Officers.

MCG Inclusion spaces

• Changing Places bathroom (Level 1, Gate 3 - Olympic Stand)
• Parent Rooms (Level 1)
• All Gender Bathroom (Level B1, Gate 1 - Ponsford Stand)
• 'G Train Mobility Buggy Service
• Sensory Room (Located within the Australian Sports Museum, Gate 3)
• Multi Faith Prayer Room (Level B1, behind M13)

100 years of Hawthorn v Melbourne   

• Hawthorn’s longest winning sequence against any opponent is 22 consecutive victories against Melbourne from 1973 to 1984.
• Leigh Matthews made his debut against Melbourne in Round 16, 1969.
• The only Final which Hawthorn has won with a goal after the final siren was the 1987 Preliminary Final against Melbourne.
• Peter Hudson kicked 16 goals against Melbourne in Round 5 1969, which remained the club record until Jason Dunstall kicked 17 in 1992.
• Hawthorn qualified for its first Grand Final in 1961 by defeating Melbourne by seven points in the Second Semi-Final.
• Melbourne is one of only two clubs (the other being GWS) that Hawthorn has not played at Docklands in a League game.
• Michael Tuck broke the VFL-AFL game record when he played his 404th game against Melbourne in Round 22, 1990.

Tickets and Membership

Tickets for this celebration match are still available through Ticketek.

Our match against Melbourne is our third replacement game for the 2025 season. Those with game access memberships can use their membership barcode to secure match tickets.

Reserved seat members can redeem a reserved seat ticket for no charge via Ticketek.

While general admission members can use their membership barcode to secure a reserved seat at a reduced rate, or simply scan their physical or digital membership card at the gate for general admission access.

General public tickets for this MCG match are available via Ticketek.

Getting to the game 

Please plan ahead and arrive as early as possible. Enhanced security measures will be in place at the MCG, which may increase wait times. We recommend members and fans arrive early to avoid long queues and ensure access ahead of the first bounce.

Also a reminder to be mindful of what is in your bag, ensure bags are small and items carried meet the conditions of entry https://www.mcg.org.au/the-stadium/visitor-information/conditions-of-entry

There are plenty of public transport options to get to the MCG.

By train

There are two train stations close to the MCG - Jolimont and Richmond.

Jolimont Station is north of the ground and offers a five-minute stroll through Yarra Park to the gates to the ground. View

Richmond Station is on the south-eastern side of the MCG. It's a slightly longer walk to the ground, past the Punt Road Oval to the Shane Warne Stand side.

• Buses replace trains on the Belgrave, Lilydale and Alamein lines between Parliament and Camberwell stations from 8:30pm until the last train each night Sunday 20 April to Wed 23 April.
• Buses replace trains on the Glen Waverley Line between Richmond and Glen Waverley stations from 8:30pm until the last train each night Sunday 20 April to Wed 23 April.

Train Disruption: 

• Buses replace trains on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines between Blackburn and Belgrave or Lilydale stations from 8:30pm Friday 9 May until the last train on Sunday 11 May.
• Passengers on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will need to change at Caufield Station and get a Frankston Line train into the city on Saturday 10 May until the last train on Sunday 11 May. 
• Buses replace trains on the Sunbury Line between North Melbourne and Sunshine stations on Saturday 10 May until the last train Sunday 11 May.
• Trains on the Hurstbridge Line will run direct to and from Flinders St, not entering the City Loop, from 7am Saturday 10 May until the last train on Sunday 11 May.

By tram

Three tram routes provide access to the MCG.

The No. 70 tram (Docklands/City-Wattle Park) is the closest tram stop to the ground, travelling from Flinders Street and detouring via Melbourne Park. The tram stop is a short walk across the footbridge to the ground.

Stopping on Wellington Road just north of the MCG, the No. 75 tram (City-Vermont South) travels from Flinders St, and the No. 48 (Docklands/City-North Balwyn) travels from Collins Street, both connecting the city and eastern suburbs.

Tram Disruption:

• Buses replace trams on Tram Route 82 between Stop 64 Footscray Station/Leeds St to Stop 32 Moonee Ponds Junction/Pascoe Vale Rd until 4:30am Monday 12 May.

Road Disruptions: 

• Flinders Street (eastbound) is closed between Elizabeth and Swanston streets.  In addition, a westbound lane will also be closed between Elizabeth and Swanston streets.  Extra time may be needed if travelling through the city.
• There will be no right turn from the Citylink outbound exit ramp onto Footscray Rd or from Footscray Road onto the outbound entry ramp for CityLink,  from 9pm Friday 9 May until 6pm Sunday 11 May.