Adelaide fell to Hawthorn by 27 points at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Hawks led by nearly 50 points in the third quarter on the way to a 16.11 (107) to 12.8 (80) win.

Adelaide forwards Brayden Cook and Chris Burgess kicked three goals apiece in the second half for Adelaide to avoid a thrashing.

Crows Captain Jordan Dawson needed a pre-game fitness test because of a foot injury he has carried for the last week.

It was touch and go whether the star midfielder played and he only managed 15 disposals, well down on his usual output.

The Hawks were in charge from the start and led by 29 points at half-time.

Adding to Adelaide's woes, veteran key forward Taylor Walker was subbed out at the main break with a back injury.

The Crows made a bad start to the third term when they had no player on the goal line and gifted two goals to the Hawks.

Hawthorn stretched its advantage out to 48 points and a blowout loomed large.

But Adelaide swung changes, including young gun Max Michalanney moving from defence into the midfield, and it stayed in the contest.

Three goals late in the third term reduced the margin to under five goals and gave the visitors a glimmer of hope.

Minutes after burning his teammates, Jack Ginnivan snapped an outstanding goal on the three-quarter time siren to give the Hawks a 33-point break.

SCOREBOARD

HAWTHORN          5.4     7.5     12.9     16.11 (107)
ADELAIDE             2.2     2.6      7.6        12.8 (80)  

GOALS
Hawthorn: Moore 5, Gunston 3, Ginnivan 2, Reeves, Nash, Macdonald, Hardwick, Dear, Breust
Adelaide: Cook 3, Burgess 3, Fogarty 2, Sholl, Schoenberg, Murphy, Jones

BEST
Hawthorn: Moore, Day, Ginnivan, Newcombe, D'Ambrosio, Scrimshaw
Adelaide: Crouch, Hinge, Soligo, Borlase, Sholl, O'Brien

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Adelaide: Walker (back)