The excitement and electricity was certainly in the air as the Hawks took to the park for the first time in 2025.
Fresh off their Christmas break, the whole Hawthorn playing list, bar Josh Ward who was absent through illness, stepped out onto Banjul Bagora, ready to leave it all on the park as they ramped up their training before the much anticipated Round 0 clash against last years Grand Finalists in Sydney.
Here’s five key takeaways from today’s first session back.
1. Karl Amon is running on top of the ground.
Karl had a fantastic 2024, playing every game and becoming a significant pillar of our rebounding defence, and he looks to be aiming to climb to another level in 2025.
He had a personalised training program before the Christmas break, not partaking in skills, but focusing on his running. With today’s six minute time trial, Karl put his foot down and defeated highly credentialed runners in Changkuoth Jiath, Josh Weddle and Finn Maginness.
With his running prowess looking in terrific order, Karl’s run and carry will be something for Hawthorn fans to watch with glee this year.
2. CJ ready to excite in his comeback from injury
Changkuoth Jiath is firing on all cylinders. Not only is CJ showing his athletic capabilities throughout the running component of preseason training, but his touch appears to be back.
After an injury interrupted 2024 where he struggled at times with his cleanliness under pressure, CJ has shown that his one touch marking and pick up at pace has well and truly returned.
He will no doubt remind supporters of his importance to the team, not only through attack but defence as well.
3. Barrass shapes the defensive unit
Speaking of defence, Tom Barrass looks to be an excellent acquisition to the Hawthorn line up.
After spending the Christmas break moving his family across the country, Barrass showed all and sundry at Bunjil Bagora today the boost he will give to the Hawthorn backline.
During match simulation, his ability to halve or win a contest was evident and will have opposition forwards working overtime to get a kick.
4. Mackenzie ready to take his game to the next level
Entering into his third year, former top ten draft pick Cam Mackenzie looks ready to take his game to a new level.
Having missed the Hawks first final campaign since 2018 with a hamstring injury, Mackenzie has clearly put time and effort into preparing his body for more midfield opportunities.
Not only has his running prowess improved – matching it with the likes of fellow midfielders Will Day and James Worpel in the six minute time trial – he has also noticeably bulked up as well.
During one of the tackling drills, he used a few fend offs to escape the clutch of wanting defenders, before using his silky skills to find a target.
5. Hill's dazzling dancing feet
Matt Hill is going to put smiles on Hawthorn faces throughout this season with his ability to make defenders look silly with his fast feet.
While he still has a way to go to learn the game style and build on his endurance running, he has shown some glimpses of what he can do in confined spaces.
During one particular drill on Thursday, Hill had the ball and appeared to be treading water while the defence closed in on him.
In a flash, he was gone, with a two step seeing him leave the defenders standing before getting the ball to a teammate in space.
With just over a month until the Community Series clash against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, the Hawks high training standards and performance on day one of 2025 has them ready to hit the ground running, and ultimately start the season off more positively than the 0-5 start to season 2024.
