An ice-cool Darcy Fogarty nailed a boundary-line goal in the dying stages to secure Adelaide's fourth win in a row on Sunday afternoon.
The Crows trailed by nine points with mere minutes remaining at University of Tasmania Stadium, before Izak Rankine gave them some life with a snap goal on the run.
With his side behind by three, Fogarty snaffled a mark with less than two minutes remaining and nailed the kick from a tight angle.
The Crows held their nerve to triumph 11.13 (79) to 11.10 (76).
It's the first time the Crows have won four in a row under coach Matthew Nicks, who took the reins in 2020.
The result leaves Hawthorn at the foot of the ladder with one win from its opening six matches.
Adelaide's Taylor Walker kicked a game-high four goals, while Hawk Fergus Greene picked up three including a crucial major in the final term that put his team ahead by 13 points.
Hawthorn turned up the defensive heat from the outset, registering 32 tackles in the first quarter - the best of any side in an opening term this season.
There were 165 tackles in the match, the most of any game in 2023.
The match was tit-for-tat throughout, with no side leading by more than three points at the breaks.
Adelaide's Rory Sloane topped the overall possession count with 30, alongside his seven tackles and one goal assist.
Conor Nash was among Hawthorn's best with a team-high 28 disposals and seven clearances.
It was Adelaide's first win in Launceston since 2005.
HAWTHORN 2.1 5.4 8.8 11.10 (76)
ADELAIDE 2.3 5.7 8.9 11.13 (79)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Greene 3, Brockman 2, Reeves, Worpel, Macdonald, Nash, Amon, Scrimshaw
Adelaide: Walker 4, Fogarty 3, Rankine, Dawson, Pedlar, Sholl
BEST
Hawthorn: Newcombe, Sicily, Nash, Amon, Greene
Adelaide: Laird, Sloane, Walker, Fogarty, Dawson
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Max Lynch (concussion)
Adelaide: None
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Jack Scrimshaw (replaced Max Lynch in the second quarter)
Adelaide: Ned McHenry (replaced Jordon Butts in the third quarter)
Crowd: TBC at UTAS Stadium
