292 days after their agonising one-point defeat to Port Adelaide in last year’s final series, the Hawks start their 2025 campaign in a baptism of fire against perennial premiership contenders Sydney.
After a long and eventful off-season that saw the acquisition of star recruits, drafting of promising youngsters and an endless flow of highlights and insights into the ‘Hokball’ movement that continues to mature and evolve, fans and players alike are undoubtedly ready to begin the season.
Despite a couple of relatively underwhelming (albeit promising at times) preseason defeats to both Geelong and the Western Bulldogs, the Hawks enter Friday night’s match at the SCG with genuine hopes to kick-start a campaign many have tipped may end in a deep finals run at the very least.
Having not faced this Sydney side since round seven last year, a game that ended in a 76-point defeat which was unofficially identified as the match that shifted the Hawks 2024 season, Sam Mitchell’s men will be keen to put together a much stronger showing against Dean Cox’s star-studded team.
Key Storylines
An Act of God?
Due to the unforeseen impact of Tropical Cyclone ‘Alfred’ that is tipped to slam into the Sunshine Coast later in the week, Thursday night’s original season opener between Brisbane and Geelong has been postponed, meaning Friday night’s clash will now kickstart the season.
Not having been involved in a season opener since 1991, Hawthorn’s evolution from mainstays of the dreaded Sunday afternoon time slot to prime-time darlings has reached its peak; now it’s their turn to prove their metal on the biggest stage.
BIG Changes in the Backline
The impact of Josh Battle and Tom Barrass, and the subsequent flexibility their introduction provides, on an already strong defense will be a key subplot. In their unofficial Hawthorn debut in the backline against the Dogs last Thursday, both players impressed.
Battle displayed his clean skills with each of his 27 disposals, whilst Barrass exhibited his uncanny ability to balance lockdown defense and impact via intercept. Barrass’ ability to nullify the influence of the Dogs tall forwards in particular was notable, as his absence in the last quarter saw Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy combine for four goals and six score involvements. Though the Swans possess stars all across the park, their forward line has often been identified as their weakest link.
Friday night could be a prime opportunity for Hawthorn’s boom recruits to start this new chapter with a bang.
Changing Places
Positional changes have also been a topic of conversation over the summer months. Though Sam Mitchell has already exhibited a willingness to play with the magnets over his last three years, both in a temporary and permanent sense, this sentiment seems to have been taken to another level in 2025.
Much has already been discussed about the potential of Will Day spending more time forward, which was highlighted in the match simulation against Geelong, where he kicked two goals from four scoring shots, played roughly 70% of his game in the attacking half. This performance ultimately portrayed why many are tipping him to take a leap into Brownlow Medal contention this season.
The shift of Finn Maginness from a tagging role into a running half forward, Blake Hardwick from a lockdown defender into a forward, and Josh Weddle into a full-blown Mr. Fix-It are also worth mentioning. Through their two preseason hit outs, all three aforementioned players exhibited their effectiveness in these new roles.
Key Match Up
Will Day vs Isaac Heeney
Though interesting duels are scattered throughout the whole ground in this game between two early flag contenders, the most intrigue lies in the contest between prime midfield movers Will Day and Isaac Heeney.
Last season, Heeney truly elevated himself into the upper echelon of the competition, averaging 25 disposals and 1.5 goals and spearheading a Swans campaign that finished just shy of premiership glory. And all reports out of the Hawks camp this off-season point towards Day making a comparable leap into superstardom, as a tweaking of his role to place a greater focus on the 23 year-old’s offensive impact may result in him following Heeney’s lead in establishing himself among the league’s most damaging.
Comparable in physical size, position and importance to his team, it would not at all be surprising to see Day and Heeney line up at the first centre bounce come Friday night.
Hawthorn's Form
Hawthorn enter the first official hit out of 2025 having lost both their preseason games. Firstly to Geelong by 20 points in a match sim down at the Cattery, and then to the Western Bulldogs by 11 points at UTAS Stadium.
While these are relatively disappointing results, the silver lining stands that the Hawks escaped both games relatively unscathed, outside of a hip injury to the perennially unlucky Changkuoth Jiath, and no doubt with a hunger to prove themselves now that the real stuff has arrived.
In comparison, the Swans have performed much stronger in their two preseason showings against the two most recent expansion teams, GWS and the Gold Coast Suns. Winning both games by a combined margin of 78-points, the Swans seem to be firing on all cylinders early.
However multiple injuries have overshadowed their form. A serious ankle concern to superstar midfielder Errol Gulden against the Suns rightfully stole all the headlines, bringing into question the risk vs reward of preseason tune-ups.
Injury Watch
Despite entering the match with a relatively healthy injury list compared to other clubs, key forwards Mitch Lewis (knee) and Calsher Dear (back), dashing defender Changkouth Jiath (hip) and defender James Blanck (knee) remain out of selection contention.
The Swans off-season injury list that already included star defender Callum Mills (plantar fascia), full-forward Logan Mcdonald (ankle) and utility Robbie Fox (calf) has been compounded over their two preseason matches, as superstar Errol Gulden (ankle) and veteran Harry Cunningham (foot) join those already ruled out for Round 0.
A watch has also been placed on ruckman Brodie Grundy (knee soreness) and goal-sneak Tom Papley (ankle), with a decision about their match time fitness set to be made in the coming days, which could have a significant influence on the outcome of the match either way.
Prediction
While Hawthorn’s preseason performances have left some wanting, and their last two opening games of the season have been disappointing, we expect this young side, bolstered by the experience of Battle and Barrass, to put on a spirited show on what should be a blockbuster Friday night.
It should prove to be a tight contest, but we predict the Hawks edge out in front and claim the win by 9 points.
