Four games into season 2025, and sitting a game clear on top of the ladder, the Hawks are perfectly placed to meet and even exceed the lofty expectations set by many throughout the preseason. Boosted by some savvy offseason acquisitions and a more refined and adaptive game style, Sam Mitchell’s men have quickly shot to the top of the premiership contender pyramid.
Having beaten last year’s grand finalists Sydney, alongside plucky Essendon and Carlton outfits, and fellow heavyweights GWS, the Hawks have maintained their relatively healthy starting twenty-two, with the exceptions of injuries to James Worpel, Connor MacDonald, and Jack Scrimshaw.
As we head into a well-deserved bye this weekend, let’s shed some light on some recent trends and observations that have popped up over the early rounds.
1. Killer Karl
After leaving Port Adelaide via Free Agency at the end of 2022 on a four-year deal, Karl Amon has put together a strong first two seasons at the Hawks.
However throughout the first three matches of 2025, his performance has taken a noticeable jump. Fueled by an outstanding preseason where a particular focus was placed on his already-strong aerobic capacity, the half-back/winger has gone to a new level so far this season, and would be a front-runner for the Peter Crimmins Medal if voting was to be counted now.
Statistically, Amon is leading the team in disposals (25.7), kicks (17.7), inside-50’s (5) and effective disposals (20.7), whilst also ranking amongst the top-20 AFL wide in effective disposals, metres gained and rebound-50’s. However it’s the intangibles that have been most impressive early in 2025 for Amon, who’s willingness to apply pressure and compete defensively seems to have gone to another level.
Alongside captain James Sicily and winger Massimo D’Ambrosio, Amon is clearly Hawthorn’s primary distributor, and his ability to slice apart opposition zones and architect many forward forrays has also been recognised by the coaches, as his third place standing alongside Nick Daicos in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award standings is a nod to his blistering performance so far.
2. Power of the Swingman
Upon the arrival of star defenders Josh Battle and Tom Barrass in the 2024 offseason, questions about where defensive stars Blake Hardwick and James Sicily would be positioned quickly arose.
And, despite the former spending most of the pre-season training as a full-time forward, coach Sam Mitchell has used both player’s ability as swingman as the ultimate “break-glass-in-case-of-emergency” tactic.
In their closer matches against Sydney and Carlton (that ironically both ended in 20 point victories), captain James Sicily was able to boot timely goals after being swung forward, whilst Hardwick, who is averaging 1.3 goals as a medium forward, was placed behind the ball to provide a calm and composed presence and nullify the likes of Tom Papley, Zac Williams and even Isaac Heeney.
Though only three matches in, Mitchell’s willingness to move Hardwick into defense towards the end of quarters and Sicily forward when a goal is needed looms as a trump card unlike any other, and one that is only made possible through the Hawks’ boosted defensive unit and additional versatility of players like Josh Weddle, Will Day and Jai Newcombe.
3. Making the Statsheet Lie
Sitting a game clear at the top of the ladder after four convincing victories, including one against 2024 Grand Finalist’s Sydney Swans, one would assume the Hawks’ would be ranked in a similar position across the major statistical categories. And despite high placement in categories such as marks inside-50 (5th), disposal efficiency (4th) and goals (5th), Sam Mitchell’s men haven’t dominated the data like some would assume.
Ranked at just 14th in disposals (352/game), 13th in hitouts (38/game), 10th in clearances (39/game) and 14th in handballs (137.3), the Hawks’ are in no way the darlings of Champion Data, which arguably makes their start to the season even more impressive.
Though the absence of clearance specialist James Worpel may distort the data somewhat, the fact Hawthorn is ranked towards the bottom in disposals and clearances yet are one of the highest scoring teams is a nod to the team’s efficiency entering attack, whilst the obvious intention to utilise their elite kicking is reflected by low grading’s in handballs and bounces per game.
Furthermore, it can be assumed that as time goes on, and the team is able to continue gelling and reinforcements return from injury, some of these lower figures will begin to climb towards the mean and boost the Hawks even further into premiership contention.
4. Leap Into Superstardom
So far this season, multiple players, including the aforementioned Karl Amon, Cam Mackenzie, Josh Ward and Nick Watson have made noticeable leaps in their individual performance. However the development into a genuine superstar of the AFL, which only happens for the top echelon of players competition wide, has been reserved for two of Hawthorn’s prime midfield movers; Will Day and Jai Newcombe.
Day, who has been touted as a potential candidate for this leap since his move into the midfield in season 2023, has been dealt a cruel hand with injuries, but after a strong preseason where much work was placed in his body and his ability to impact forward of the ball, the leap has truly been made.
The 23 year-old’s ability to glide out of stoppage, apply bone-crunching tackles and expose mismatches deep in attack have all obviously been heightened to the point of being likened to Isaac Heeney, Marcus Bontempeli and Christian Petracca. This perception is also reflected statistically, as career-highs in goals (1.3), tackles (5), clearances (5.3) and kicks (13) supports the notion that Day has well and truly taken the leap.
Joining Day in the superstar conversation, just as he does at most centre bounces, is Jai Newcombe, who, despite already ranking at #23 in Hawthorn club history in terms of Brownlow votes, has somehow gone to another level. Significant statistical leaps in an individual sense nod to a career-best start, as Newcombe has increased his average disposals (25.3), tackles (7) and clearances (8.3), however his status within the wider competition is what has impressed most.
Across the first three matches, the midfielder is ranked top-10 in the following categories: disposals, tackles, clearances, effective disposals and score involvements. Compounding this data-driven increase in performance is his continued progression ahead of the ball, where he has consistently used his contested nous and selfless nature to create scoring opportunities for his teammates and also allow for a consistent mid-forward rotation between him and Day.
If these two are able to maintain their stellar form across the span of the season, strong finishes in individual awards like the Peter Crimmins Medal (something both players have already won) and Brownlow Medal beckon, as does the likelihood they help steer the Hawks towards a deep September run.
5. Ready and Waiting
One slight somber note of the Hawks’ otherwise stellar start to the season has been their injury luck, as syndesmosis ankle injuries to James Worpel and Connor MacDonald, and a concussion to Jack Scrimshaw have seen them join the likes of Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis on the sidelines. However the in-game loss of these prime movers has been well-covered by the sub on all three occasions.
In Round 0, Worpel’s replacement was the defensive stalwart Sam Frost, who was able to play a primary role in keeping the Swans goalless in the final term whilst also allowing Sam Mitchell the flexibility to swing James Sicily forward in a move that proved to be match-winning. Manning up mainly against key forward Joel Amartey, Frost was able to halt his momentum after kicking two first-half goals, whilst providing the team with his trademark leadership and intensity, including a few attempts at “Frostball” that ended with varying degrees of success.
And, despite a slightly shakier showing against Essendon the week after in an identical role in place of the injured Jack Scrimshaw (that ultimately saw him lose his role as the sub), the ability to have such an integral member of the team waiting in the wings is an extreme asset.
Replacing him in the sub-vest against Carlton was another older statesman, Jack Gunston, who made a significant contribution in his 60% game time. The Hawks legend, who is already touted to take up a coaching role upon his retirement, was able to boot two critical goals alongside his nine disposals, five marks and three score-involvements. If these stats were extrapolated across the course of a whole match, his statline would be boosted to three goals, 15 disposals, nine marks and five score-involvements; impressive numbers for a 33 year-old.
Alongside his consistent impact on-field that has shocked many after a brief stint at Brisbane characterised by doubts around his body, the unquantifiable football IQ and leadership Gunston offers was obvious in his season debut.
Tirelessly offering encouragement and feedback to his fellow forwards, Gunston’s smarts were also utilised defensively, as his ability to quell star backman Jacob Weitering’s impact was profound; something likely to be replicated this week against Sam Taylor and the Giants.
6. Layers Upon Layers
Lastly, it would be remiss not to touch on the depth that Sam Mitchell has at his disposal, as it is arguably his number one asset. In previous seasons, injuries to integral members of the team proved too much to overcome, perfectly highlighted by Hawthorn’s 0-5 start to 2024 that was only halted by the return of Will Day. However the strength of the “lesser lights” within the Hawks’ squad mean this previous reality is much different in 2025.
Players such as Cam Mackenzie and Josh Ward have grabbed the opportunity of more midfield minutes with both hands, whilst Finn Maginness, who has previously struggled to lock down a consistent position in the side, has begun to make a name for himself as a hard running half-forward. All three players are achieving career-best numbers across the board, with each seeing upticks in average rating points (Mackenzie 28% increase, Ward 9% increase, Maginness 70% increase), compared to their career average.
Following in the footsteps of players like Conor Nash and Harry Morrison who have both had to ply their trade in the reserves before garnering a senior opportunity, Maginness, Mackenzie and Ward have each been given time to sharpen their skills and smooth over their weaknesses.
Ultimately, this has allowed each of them to maximise their ability to capitalise on the holes left by the absence of key figures who may now struggle to find a home back into the team when fit. Additionally, the likes of Henry Hustwaite, Max Ramsden, Seamus Mitchell and Jai Serong are all waiting in the wings, each of them candidates for a leap into the senior team if needed.
