The anticipation for footy is quickly mounting as the 2025 Premiership season closes in, kicking off next Thursday, March 6th.
Before the season starts, however, Hawthorn will head down to UTAS Stadium, their home away from home, for their first and only official game of the preseason as part of The 2025 Community Series. There, they will face fellow 2024 elimination finalists, the Western Bulldogs.
The two sides have not met since last September at the 2024 Elimination Final; which proved to be an amazing game for the Hawthorn faithful.
Played in front of a blockbuster 97,828 people at the MCG, the young Hawks defeated the Bulldogs by a comfortable 37 points, continuing their blistering late season form and keeping their finals campaign alive for another week.
The Hawks overcame a slow start in the first quarter to put on a dominating performance over the Dogs in their first finals victory since the clubs premiership triumph nine years earlier. The performance of 2023 draftees Calsher Dear and Nick Watson, who kicked seven majors between them, captain James Sicily (23 disposals, five rebound fifties) and Jai Newcombe’s midfield masterclass (35 disposals, five clearances and a goal) were just some of the many highlights from the night.
Hawthorn come into this game off the back of their match simulation with Geelong down at GHMBA stadium – where they debuted the likes of Josh Battle, Noah Mraz, Jasper Scaife, Bodie Ryan, and Will McCabe alongside squad regulars.
Will Day and Cam MacKenzie were clearly Hawthorn’s best in what was otherwise an anti-climatic hitout that resulted in a 20-point loss. Both midfielders displayed their clean skills, composure and thirst for the contest throughout the match, with Day even spending a large chunk of time in the forward-50.
Meanwhile, young defender Bodie Ryan made the most of his 30 minute cameo down back, with an impressive intercept and tackle in the final term. Later that same quarter, fans saw glimpses of Max Ramsden and Jasper Scaife’s potential as key forward options, as the pair both made their physical presence felt attack.
Following some alterations made to the playing list over the offseason, Hawthorn will be testing the chemistry of a bolstered backline thanks to the additions of Josh Battle and Tom Barrass. A keen eye will also be placed on the structure of the evolving forward brigade, particularly in the absence of Dear, who had such a significant impact last year, as well as talisman Mitch Lewis.
We should also see the inclusion of players who missed out on last week’s match simulation, such as Tom Barrass, Jarman Impey, Karl Amon in defence, Massimo D’Ambrosio on the wing and Nick “The Wizard” Watson in the forward line, which should prove exciting for fans to see.
Omissions to expect this Thursday are that of Changouth Jiath, who has been seen training with the rehab group lately, as well as Blake Hardwick, whose partner is expecting to give birth in the coming days.
The performances put on show against the Dogs should determine what the starting 22 looks like for Round 0, narrowing down those who are ready to be picked to officially open the 2025 campaign against the Swans next Friday at the SCG.
