Hawthorn returns home to the MCG to host the Blues under lights in Thursday night football.
The Hawks sit fifth on the league ladder with 12 wins and six losses, having been victorious in four of their last five. Meanwhile, Carlton sits twelfth on the ladderwith seven wins and 11 losses, winning on just one occasion in their last five.
Here's all you need to know ahead of the first bounce:
WHO: Hawthorn v Carlton
WHAT: Round 20
WHERE: MCG
WHEN: Thursday 24 July
TIME: 7.30pm AEST
BROADCAST: Channel 7 and Fox Footy/Kayo
How to watch
Following along at home? The game will be broadcast live on Channel 7 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 (80) defeated Carlton (60) in Round 2, 2025.
Hawthorn secured a 20-point victory over the Blues to maintain a perfect start to 2025, to be 3-0 for the first time since it won the premiership in 2014.
Mabior Chol was the most threatening target at the MCG, finishing with three goals, while Nick Watson was a constant threat all night, adding two more goals. With Jack Gunston and Blake Hardwick also slotting two majors each.
Reigning Peter Crimmins medallist Jai Newcombe helped drag Hawthorn over the line, amassing 32 disposals, 11 tackles and nine clearances. While Will Day collected 26 disposals, fives tackles and five clearances.
The big-name recruits in defence – Josh Battle and Tom Barrass – continue to deliver after moving clubs last October, while Josh Ward and Changkuoth Jiath grabbed their chances after starting 2025 outside the best 23.
Newcombe, Day, Josh Ward, Battle, Massimo D’Ambrosio, Chol and James Sicily were named among the Hawks best.
What’s On
The Hawks are partnering with TAC to promote the 2025 AFL Victoria Road Safety Round between July 24-27, in line with Round 20 of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
Hawthorn will open the round on Thursday night against the Blues in what is set to be an important match both on and off the field, as the Hawks band together with the TAC to help reduce road trauma.
As per every Hawk’s home game, fans can enjoy the Superhero Dash for Cash at quarter time, the traditional half-time entertainment with footy stars of the future with NAB AFL Auskickers taking to the field, and at three-quarter time the KFC FLG Fan challenge, before a Macca’s Kick 2 Kick after the final siren.
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 Carlton
- Hawthorn full-forwards have twice kicked their 100th goal for the season against Carlton, Jason Dunstall in 1989 and Lance Franklin in 2008.
- In 1952, Hawthorn played Carlton for Premiership points at the Victorian country town of Euroa as part of ‘Propaganda Round’.
- Hawthorn won its first MCG Final against Carlton (1957) and its first MCG home and away game against Carlton (1986) by the same margin of 23 points.
- Beating Carlton in the 1957 First Semi Final meant Hawthorn finished above the Blues for the first time after 32 seasons finishing below them.
- Hawthorn finished above Carlton for 10 consecutive seasons from 2010 to 2019.
- Hawthorn won the first clash with Carlton as co-tenant of Carlton’s Princes Park home in 1974.
Tickets and Membership
Tickets for this match have now sold out. Should any tickets become available, Ticketek is the ticketing agent for this match.
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.
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.
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.
