Season 2025 - Hawthorn

Football Discussion Non Essendon Stuff
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Hawthorn

Coach – Sam Mitchell

2024 –

Points For – 6th
Points Against – 6th

Top 5 Best and Fairest

  1. Jai Newcombe
  2. Dylan Moore
  3. Jarman Impey
  4. James Worpel
  5. Blake hardwick

2024 Rising Star Noms

Nick Watson (Rnd 19)
Calsher Dear (Rnd 23)

Ins – Tom Barrass, Josh Battle, Cody Anderson, Matt Hill, Noah Mraz, Jamie Uhr-Henry

Outs – Josh Bennetts, Denver Grainer-Barras, Cooper Stephens, Jack O’Sullivan, Ethan Phillips, Clay Tucker, Chad Wingard

My Prediction

I hate them. Genuinely hate them. I look through their list and I hate them even more. They don’t seem to have many gaps. Their age profile is still pretty young, they have a very good spine and they went to free agency and picked up players that cover their deficiencies. They seem to be well coached and with not much changing from here could challenge for a premiership again soon.

The backline performed ok last year. They weren’t world beaters but after a slow start managed to structure the team to the point where the full field defended well. I actually do wonder if bringing in two more talls may be more of a hindrance than a help for a team that moved ball so well and relied on speed and spread to defeat their opposition.

The midfield is not star studded nor is it workmanlike. It is highly skilled and not scared to get it’s hands dirty. They tackle and harass and then spread. Mass was a very good get for them last year and will be interesting to see how he goes with more attention this year. Day, Weddle, Newcombe and Worpel are a very good midfield but more than anything it is how they work without the ball that sets them apart.

The forward line is a concern. Lewis wont see solid game time until the second half of the season, Dear looked amazing at the end of last year but there is something about him and his game style that I don’t buy (at least not yet). Sicily is likely to swing forward to make room for Battle and Barras which I think will make their forward line a lot more dynamic. Moore keeps getting better and then in Ginnivan and Watson you have two of the best small forwards in the competition. At least until Ginnivan earns a life ban for doing something stupid.

Lloyd Meek found his game last year and is a very good ruck as well as improving his work around the ground. Sam Mitchell looks to be a very good coach. Genuinely no surprises there and I think he is smart enough to make the new list shape work well for them.

I don’t like Hawthorn. They and their fans are right up there with Carlton fans for arrogance and it is only going to get worse. They have a tougher draw this year and I don’t think they will have the advantage of being underestimated but they are a good list that is well coached. I don’t think they are a top level premiership contender just yet but they should compete for top four and then who knows. 4-6 for mine. Gross.

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6-16 bracket. Let’s narrow and say 6-10.

They are skillful, well coached, and (annoyingly) very good to watch. They play an attractive brand of football.

But momentum like they generated last year is hard to repeat. They are 100% on the right path, though. Unfortunately.

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I hate to say it, but they’re in my top 4. They looked like a team of winners for much of the second half of last season. Arrogance with the skill and effort to back it up… Not looking forward to this side gaining more experience.

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I think they’ll come back to earth a bit this year. Mid table for mine.

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■■■■ off, Sam Mitchell

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Fox Footy Best 23

FB: J. Battle, T. Barrass, J. Scrimshaw
HB: J. Impey, J. Sicily, B. Hardwick
C: K. Amon, W. Day, M. D’Ambrosio
HF: D. Moore, M. Chol, C. Macdonald
FF: N. Watson, C. Dear, J. Ginnivan
FOLL: L. Meek, J. Newcombe, J. Worpel
I/C: J. Weddle, C. Nash, C. Mackenzie, J. Gunston, L. Breust

EMG: C. Jiath, F. Maginness, H. Morrison

Backline is stiffenned up with Barrass there. Midfield, still lacks a little bit of class IMO. Forwardline good for smalls and pace will be dangerous, Casher Dear made a huge impression last year, can he keep it up.
Some decent players on the bench and in emergencies, so getting some good depth as well. They probably should push for finals again, but will have a target on their back playing Hawkball, will lack the surprise element they had last year.

finish 5th - 10th

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I have them reaching the top 4 after addressing their key back deficiency and having increased freedom to push Sicily foward as needed.

They could have gone all the way in 2024 I reckon as they possess immense clarity and confidence in their game and so much dare in the attack.

Above all teams I hate the hawks. So expecting 2025 will be a rough watch as they chase glory again whilst we flounder…again.

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Winning silverware at least once every decade since the 1960s is what they do, they’re due and are on the right track

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Their midfield is effin tough.
Day, Newcombe, Worpel, Nash…with that big lump Meek using his bulk to advantage.
Now they’re starting to run some younger guys through there (Mackenzie, Ward, Macdonald, Moore).

Hawks are more than covered in the KP’s, especially if they can get Mitch Lewis up and running.
Plenty of dash and skill all over the ground.

Hawks could pinch a Flag as early as this year.

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They’ve sured up their weaknesses.

Top 4.

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■■■■ these guys

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Said to a good mate of mine who is mad Hawthorn.

What tipped me over the edge last season was watching them. Watching them bouncing back again, watching them enjoy the footy after all of maybe 2 bad seasons.

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Top 4 certainties

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2nd easiest draw last year so will be harder this time.

Agree unfortunately theyre on the right track and will win one in the next 5 years, think theyll be in the finals mix ,around the bottom of the 8.

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They flew under the radar and caught teams off guard imo. They annouced them selves as a team to watch last year clubs will now have done thier home work

Harder draw too they are young and can see them slide back a bit.

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Agree with all of this. Their defence looked a bit suss with spud Frost back there, but now Barass and Battle have come in will be more reliable and efficient. While their midfield is tough and blue collar it does lack a touch of class to compete with the best in the league. The move of Sicily into the forward line will give them a bit of extra bite. The harder draw factor will be covered by their having another year of playing together under their belts. While l have no love for them, l have to respect them and what they have achieved.

Finish 6 - 8.

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Their best 22 is better than last year.
Super solid defence and exciting forward-line.
I hope they can be beaten in the midfield and around the ground with pressure football.
A lot will depend on their attitude, I think. I hope it is bad.

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Bottom 4 for mine.

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Top 4 and a prelim I think.

Probably heading towards another Hawthorn 3peat timeline just to stab us all in the gut even more.

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Hawthorn missing the 8 is a good bet I think.

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