Hawthorn will return to its Northern Nest again in 2025, hosting St Kilda in Round 4 of the upcoming 2025 NAB AFLW season

The Hawks will host the Saints at their AFLW home away from home, Cazalys Stadium, on Saturday 6 September from 7.15pm. The clash will take place as part of the league’s Indigenous Round.

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The Hawks match against Melbourne in 2024 saw the Hawks secure a six-point victory, locking in a spot in the top four, one of two games played in Cairns so far.

Last year, the Queensland Government, Cairns Regional Council, AFL Cairns and Hawthorn Football Club announced a three-year partnership extension, seeing the Hawks set to host one game in Cairns for the next three seasons.

Hawthorn Chief Executive Officer Ash Klein said:

“We are delighted to be returning to Cairns and Cazalys Stadium so early in the 2025 season, continuing on our love of visiting and playing up in our Northern Nest”, Klein said.

“We very much see Cairns as our home away from home for our AFLW Hawks, and we’re incredibly proud to be bringing elite football to the region to help inspire the next generation of stars. Yet it’s our work in the community that makes us truly proud of our partnership, positively impacting the community off the field.

“We look forward to continuing to help grow women’s football in far north Queensland, to create a healthier, happier and more connected community.”

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said:

“Queenslanders love their footy and nowhere are they more passionate than in our tropical north,” Minister Mander said.

“The partnership between the Hawthorn Football Club and the Queensland Government means that fans in Cairns and across Far North Queensland have the opportunity to see and meet some of the best players in the country.

“We know how important this can be to inspire greater participation within the community and help the game continue to grow in regional Queensland.”

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to see the Hawks flying back into their Northern Nest for another AFLW showdown at Cazalys,” Mayor Eden said.

“Having this clash during Indigenous Round is a real win – it’s a great way to celebrate culture while kicking some big goals for women’s sport in our region.

“Women’s AFL is on the rise in Cairns, and having top-tier talent on our turf helps keep that momentum rolling. I’m a firm believer that ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’, and seeing these incredible athletes out on the field is sure to light a spark in the next generation of local footy stars.”

AFL Cairns General Manager Craig Lees said:

“It’s a privilege to welcome Hawthorn back to our Northern Nest for Indigenous Round, a match that celebrates culture, community, and connection through sport. Hawthorn’s ongoing commitment to Cairns has been instrumental in growing the women’s game, not just through premiership matches like this, but through the programs, support, and engagement they deliver across the region. Partnerships like this inspire the next generation and continue to position Far North Queensland as a true destination for women’s sport. We’re looking forward to all of Cairns getting behind this game and aiming for a record AFLW crowd at Cazalys. We also thank the Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council for their ongoing support, this partnership wouldn’t be possible without their commitment to bringing elite women’s sport to our region.”