A dose of reality at the MCG
A poor showing against the Lions on Saturday shows we still have a long way to go
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ROUND 11: HAWTHORN 8.12 (60), LIONS 14.9 (93)
Our biggest test of the year so far — and somehow we went into the game as raging hot favourites (well with the bookies at least).
At the end of 120+ minutes of football, we emerged with more questions about our team than answers.
Are we actually a premiership candidate? Have we gotten ahead of ourselves? Just how much work do we really need to do to contend? And can we bounce back against the Magpies next week?
The game at the MCG was concerning for a whole host of reasons, but here are some of the noticeable stats:
It was our lowest score for the season;
It was our opponent’s third highest score for the season;
+11 clangers;
-23 tackles;
-17 clearances despite being +21 hitouts; and
-18 contested possessions.
The clangers stat is an interesting one. It was just the second time this year we have had more than our opponent - our +11 eclipsing the +5 we registered against the Suns the week prior.
Our execution let us down under the pressure and intensity of playing against the reigning premiers. And like the Suns the week before, we had no answers fro a rampaging midfield unit that ran freely through the middle of the ground.
It was like watching the Hok in reverse. And we couldn’t stop it.
Let’s unpack some more of the bad — but also some of the good in the continued search for answers of exactly where we are at.
🕵🏻♂️ Ash and Daz get stuck in:
ASH: Hawthorn fans have held the suspicion for some time, Sam Mitchell has been reinforcing it with his weekly “we’re a work in progress” spiel, but Saturday at the MCG confirmed that the 2025 outfit is good, but a fair off being great. Saturday smacked of a lot of the 2022-23 Hawks, when the endeavour was largely there, but the execution was not. And the last 10 minutes of the second quarter was on par with the first 10 minutes ofd the Port game as the worst football played by Hawthorn for the year. Charlie Cameron had barely had a kick for weeks but kicked three goals in as many minutes. Thank god it was an away game for the Lions.
DAZ: Hawthorn has a knack for playing people into form. That three goal cameo completely turned the game.
ASH: Much of what we saw on Saturday was groan-worthy - missed targets and missed communication. Taking the game on when tempo was needed, conservatism when it was time to pull the trigger.
DAZ: We played like a team that couldn’t make up its mind whether to go full-tilt or pump the brakes — and in the end, did neither convincingly. If we’re going to make mistakes, I’d prefer they be bold ones. The reckless abandon of that 2024 team overachieving has been replaced by a team who could be struggling with the scrutiny.
ASH: Josh Weddle’s brilliant run down the members’ wing in the third term was a case in point. He was the most athletically-gifted player on the ground and that patch of footy showed it - but he pulled the kick in the hope that someone would be waiting at the top of the square when the goal was begging to be kicked.
DAZ: I get the team-first instinct, but sometimes you’ve got to be selfish in the right way. That deserved a goal. It would’ve been Buddy-esque.
ASH: Sources close to this column might have smashed a water bottle the ground after that. The coach smashed a sponsor’s hoarding at that moment. At least he didn’t punch a hole in the wall like a certain other Hawthorn coach once did. Mind you, who would have blamed him had he done so?
DAZ: I get the frustration for not finishing off the work, but didn’t feel Weddle deserved that sort of reaction for the freakish mark and athletic ability that gave him that opportunity in the first place. Or maybe Sammy was mad at Jack Gunston for losing his footing?
ASH: One of the oddities of footy was the hex the Hawks had over the Lions for the last five years, particulate as Brisbane has been largely good and the Hawks pretty much the opposite. Finally the gods of football took notice and restored normal order on Saturday.
DAZ: It was kinda like a reverse of the Demons fixture in a way.
ASH: Mabior Chol and Nick Watson battled on Saturday, but no getting down on them here. They’re both coming off a good few weeks and were due a down.
DAZ: And yet the keyboard warriors will come for Marbs. He’s an unfair scapegoat given the form he’s been in this year.
ASH: Speaking of form, a few players found some on Saturday. Dylan Moore worked into the game after halftime. Connor Macdonald hit the scoreboard again (and again, and again). James Sicily’s third term was exceptionally good. And while he shouldn’t have given the 50m penalty in the last term, the free kick that preceded it was a disgrace — an identical act to the tackle on Mark Blicavs on Easter Monday that was called play on.
DAZ: Sis’ form has been scrutinised by the message boards and footy shows — with some suggesting he’s carrying something — but the calls to drop him are premature to say the least. His third quarter was a defensive master class that shows the level he’s capable of playing at. Collingwood are his bunnies so it’s as good a week as any to get the All Australian Sis back and firing again.
ASH: Mitchell won’t ever single out players, but he must be concerned about Cam Mackenzie. His stout defence of Harry Morrison was interesting as well.
DAZ: He just hasn’t looked the same since the hand injury. Five disposals before being dragged, but I’m not really concerned. His poise belies his age and we sometimes forget how young he really is. I really rated Morrison’s game. He’s been up there among our most consistent players of 2025, without setting the world on fire. That’s not his role, anyway.
ASH: Selection for Collingwood will be interesting. Jarman Impey will be a welcome and much-needed inclusion. Does Calsher Dear come back for an MCG clash? Is is time to have one last look at Seamus Mitchell? What do we make of Sam Butler getting 42 touches in the midfield? Does he add something to the mix?
DAZ: This is the problem with overachieving in a rebuild year. There are young players doing everything right at Box Hill, but struggling to crack into a side that’s taking safe selection options to maintain a spot in the eight.
ASH: In the midst of three games in 12 days, expect changes for Collingwood on Friday night and six days later for the Dogs. Both are huge games now.
🧐 Things we like to see #1: CMac is back
There is nothing more exciting than seeing one of our gun players back themselves in front of goal and convert — especially coming off a bit of a dry spell. That’s what we got from Connor Macdonald who reminded us all of his silk, skill and polish as he backed himself in and slotted three majors on the weekend.
🧐 Things we like to see #2: Willow riding shotgun
He was part of the pre-game entertainment and was even charged with having a shot at goal from about 15 metres out on a slight angle … which he missed. Having Mark Williams out on the MCG as part of Sir Doug Nicholls Round was a wonderful addition to the pre-game ceremony and celebration of our club’s indigenous heritage, which he is an enormous part of. So good to see — and a flash forward to the next few years where we expect to see him around the club and at matches every week.
🧐 Things we like to see #3: Josh Peddle
This highlighted the good and the bad of Josh Weddle on the day as ultimately his kick inside forward 50 was a shocker. But his ability to take a contested mark and then throw caution to the wind by taking the game on was exhilarating. More, more, more (please).
⭐️ Best on ground: Connor Macdonald
He had been threatening to have a breakout game this season showing glimpses in spurts how good a player he is. But at the G against the Lions he put four quarters together to be our best player on the day. Three goals, 20 disposals, 10 marks and seven score involvements — it was a typical industrious performance from Croc. And a reminder to those that had been calling for his head mid-week that such cries both now and in the short term future would be foolish.
💫 Rising star: Josh Weddle
A fantastic game from our newly turned 21 year old (happy birthday for yesterday Josh), who was perhaps a few too many clangers short of it being exceptional. Kicked a goal from an intercept mark to go with his 23 touches, six marks, five score involvements, seven hit outs and five inside 50s - a great overall return. His clangers were noticeable and it did take some shine of his overall game, but for a 21-year-old to do what he did was just another sign that our #23 is going to be a star.
👼 Unsung hero: Harry Morrison
Singled out in Sammy’s presser as having played his best game for the club while Mitchell has been coach, Morrison had a great game. Despite an early clanger (not uncommon on Saturday), Harry bounced back with aplomb. 82% disposal efficiency from 28 touches, six score involvements and eight marks adding to a super consistent season fro our winger who would surely be in the top 10 of the Peter Crimmins Medal voting at the moment.
🤯 Under pressure: Cam Mackenzie
There has been so much to like in what we have seen in Frenchie’s season so far in 2025, and we know that he will be come an absolute staple in this side for the years to come. But Sam Mitchell made an emphatic statement at the MCG when he subbed Mackenzie out at half time — to allow Finn Maginness into the game. At that point Mackenzie had registered just five touches — four of those handballs, with two clangers part of his stats sheet. And given the annihilation through the centre of the ground by the Brisbane midfield, Mackenzie will either be under selection pressure this week — or alternatively, immense pressure to perform.
🎤 Sammy said what!?
“I feel like we’ve been saying that we are a work in progress and we’ve got some things to work on and that’s a good example of it - we just didn’t quite have what it takes to beat them today.”
“We had some chances and a couple of good things followed by multiple bad things is not going to get it done against the best sides.”
“We had nine players who didn’t lay a tackle today… not being able to get enough pressure onto them - we sort of chatted about that before the game and we scouted that, and we weren’t able to get enough pressure on them in the key moments of the game.”
“Overall we need to perform better than that to beat the best.”
“Our ball use and skill we regularly talk about and we didn’t handle the occasion of today.”
“We know that playing against them you have to take your chances - it felt like we created enough chances in the game - we caused some opportunities for ourselves but we just couldn’t finish our work.”
“I wouldn’t have said we deserved to be closer - they had the upper hand for the majority of the day.”
🗣️ The final word: Connor Macdonald
“It’s unfortunate - I thought we were in it early and then they sort of ran away with it in the second half so disappointing but we’re looking forward to getting back next week.
“I love kicking a goal at the G with the crowd out there so it was good to get on the end of a few and bring out the celebrations - get back on the scoreboard.
“Getting back to our system and connecting a bit better - there was a few times where we did all the work and stuffed it up in the last play so looking to get back to that connection.
“We will regroup and then get back here to play Collingwood on Friday night - looking forward to getting a big crowd down to that.
“It’s been amazing ever since I have come to the clubs - they’ve all (our fans) really jumped on board and especially in the last year and a half getting on the Hok train and supporting us, and we love when they come out and cheer us on.”
⏭️ Next week:
The losses against the big teams are starting to add up with the Lions now added to the Suns and Cats on that list.
So it is a crunch game against the Pies in prime time on Friday night at the MCG in front of what is sure to be a monster crowd.
With the Dogs and Crows to follow, we simply have to arrive ready to play this week if we are any chance of remaining a top four hope.
Another opportunity to show how much we have learnt from our big games this season.
🚨 A note from the HI team: No Instant Recap pod for this week. Instead we’ll be unpacking the game at length in an early mid-week pod dropping on Wednesday wherever you get your podcasts.
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What was learnt:
1. The auditors confirmed our underlying suspicion as to the operation of the business – Whilst not operating whilst insolvent, the audit provided by the Lions confirmed that the business whilst “profitable” isn’t functioning at a level that provides the maximum return on the investment. The inability of our midfield to match the spread from the contest by the Lions’ midfield brought home the fact that we lack a midfielder with dash from the contest to either provide an exit from the contest or to run down an opponent from the contest.
2. Good teams don’t get beaten by what they know – Having used Gunston as a guardian on Andrews previously, they did not allow this to happen again this time. Equally, we knew that Zorko coming off half back will provide them with drive going forward, yet our half forwards didn’t appear to be up to the task of quelling his run and carry. He nearly gained 1km repeat of last week.
3. Lack of connection between the midfield and forward line – There were certainly some poor kicks to open players within the forward 50, but at the same time, there were many times when the forwards didn’t come towards the ball carrier on the lead providing them with an option rather than inviting a long bomb entry. Kicking a high entry to Watson, one or two out, isn’t a sustainable method of operation with as experienced defensive unit as the Lions have in their side. Reflect on some of the entries the Lions had inside 50 to the ones we attempted. Late in the 3rd quarter, Worpel didn’t have a option come to him forcing him to take a long shot and similarly, the options provided to Weddle when he had two strong entries into the forward 50 (Gunston did slip over on one, but we need to provide more than one option).
4. Players didn’t go into their shells after making an error – Even in a game where not much went right, there were numerous examples where a player made an error usually a turnover, where they then worked their backside off in the next contest to regain or neutralize the next possession. This should be seen as a growth learning – a couple of seasons ago, the same players would have doubted themselves. Mackenzie being run down after confusing pace with ambition in the first quarter, then intercepting a marking contest.
5. Loopy handballs to an outside runner leads to confusion – Whilst not quite hospital handballs, when you have an overlap scenario, to handball in an high arc, just provides a greater opportunity for the opposition to come forward and pressure the receiver. Always keep in mind that once the ball is in the air, then the receiver has to keep their eye on the ball, thus lose sight of what the opposition is doing in response, so whilst they may not be tackled, they may then run into a compromised position when they had thought they were “free”.
6. Watson from 45+m out having a set shot is not a good option. On the run, he is marginally better, but with the momentum for the moment, he needs to be aware of his limitations.
Observations:
• Another week where we didn’t get good looks at the goals which made the scoring opportunities not only difficult, but even more important with how few clean scoring chances we generated.
• Some elements of either poor decisions or self-interest came into play in the last quarter – Jiath taking a mark on F50 didn’t give Scrimshaw a handball running onto his left and then took the shot from 50 without success; he took a tight shot from the boundary later in the quarter as did Weddle when centring the ball would have been the better option.
• Mackenzie doesn’t appear to have returned from his injury with all guns firing as to whether this indicates his injury is still an issue e.g. wearing a glove, although the pre-game social media had him gloveless or a broader issue – see below on DE.
• There is no real right/wrong answer, but the week off to Meek and Gunston didn’t appear to have an immediate benefit to their form whilst Nash looked rusty from his lengthy break.
• As per last week, this being a 3 point game, Morrison was one player whose credit bank was enhanced i.e. previously hadn’t been deemed to be capable at the level. Along with this, the back 6 as a unit held up quite well when you consider how dominant the Lions were in the midfield, this is not to say that individually, they didn’t always stand up to the heat.
• Barrass’s intercept marking does provide a skill set that we have been lacking over the past few seasons.
• Albeit marginal and arguably against the run of play, we did “win” the first quarter.
• TOG % - Bottom 5 (leaving out subs): Ward 65% Morrison 72% Worpel 75% Chol & Ginnivan 76% D’Ambrosio & Jiath 77%. (Sicily highest on the ground at 96%.)
• Kicking efficiency (DE): Sicily 100% (100), Moore 100% (100), Meek 100% (67), Battle 93% (96), Ward 88% (80) Scrimshaw 80% (83) Hardwick 80% (75).
Jiath 50% (67), D’Ambrosio 50% (63), Gunston 50% (63), Chol 50% (67), Macdonald 40% (60), Watson 33% (25), Worpel 31% (57). (Note: Mackenzie 0% (80) based on 1 kick – a floater that was intercepted.)
• A broader observation – in the two games where we have been outplayed for significant periods of games, we have not allowed them to become 10 goals losses which occurred last year. A point that did draw Sam’s ire last year against Gold Coast.
Starting 4: (CBA/CC)
1st Qrt: Newcombe (20/0) Worpel (19/1) Ward (8/1)
2nd Qrt: Newcombe Worpel Nash (17/0)
3rd Qrt: Newcombe Worpel Nash
4th Qrt: Newcombe Worpel Nash
Meek 21/1 Mackenzie 9/1 Chol 5/1 Moore 4/0 Weddle 1/0 D’Ambrosio 0/1
Even with Nash back, Ward was given the first rotation this week, however given the way the centre clearances played out, we reverted to the regulars of the Big 4. Interesting that Mackenzie (2/7) in a half, just shaded Ward (2/1/2/3) for CBAs across the match. With our lack of pace, Moore only had 1 CBA in each quarter. Many have asked for Weddle to be used in CBAs and this happened very late in the 4th quarter.
Issue for the week:
As per last week, the current run of games may well become a defining period for selection with players returning from various forms of absence. With Impey a given, there are others whose form warrants attention – Bailey Macdonald didn’t much wrong in the games he played and having played a sub, may have needed to play a full game for match fitness as much as anything else. As to whether Dear did enough at BH this week will be a watch. He did look sore at training early last week. The pace that Butler has brought to the BH midfield may well bring him into discussions this week, however the Pies’ midfield structure is different to the Lions.
This game highlighted a lot of what we've seen since the bye:
1. Inexcusable clangers that have a double effect of costing us a scoring opportunity and giving the opposition a scoring opportunity. This was a feature of rounds 1-7 in 2024 and has been a feature of our play since the bye. The repeated bloopers just make it impossible to get any momentum in our game. Missing very gettable shots at goal (Worpel and Gunston) also hurt.
2. The inability to win clearance, yet rarely do we see significant change to the mix or the method. McDonald never gets a run on ball, nor does Weddle or Watson. The rinse and repeat of Newcombe / Worpel with one of Nash, Ward, Mackenzie isn't getting it done and surely there needs to be some change. It also means that we never see Jai forward which is disappointing as he's a dangerous forward option.
3. One dimensional kick ins that are either short to the left or long to the left. Obviously, opposition sides are denying us the fast break to the right side but we need more than the two existing options.
4. Meeky is a great competitor and gets hands to the ruck contest more than the opposition ruck, but he doesn't mark the ball around the ground - never gives us that contested mark at half back/wing to relieve pressure or a saving mark in defence.
5. Once again, our captain spent too much time complaining to the umpires and setting a terrible example, which no doubt is a factor in a younger player such as Ginnivan doing the same thing and giving away a 50 metre penalty. It's poor leadership.
6. Had Hardwick been playing in defence, it's most unlikely that Cameron doesn't kick those 3 goals before half time. I'm not sure what other HI people think, but we look better with Hardwick behind the ball and playing on the opposition's best small forward and only being swung forward when we need a change up. If he doesn't play on Elliot this week, who does?
7. Mackenzie needs a run in the twos to regain some confidence. Outside of the GWS game, he's been just ok and his possession numbers are not at the level required, notwithstanding his somewhat lesser game time.
8. There are players consistently performing above VFL standard for Box Hill and there needs to be consideration given to rewarding that form. Watching Butler on the weekend, he was very impressive, as was Bailey McDonald, Bodie Ryan (who has made great strides over the past month), Serong, Seamus, Henry and Ramsden.
9. Interestingly, we again had more marks inside 50, which is encouraging. In the loss last week, there were several bad errors in our defensive 50 that cost us goals, this week it was massive bloopers with ball in hand and against Geelong we just didn't take our opportunities. Eliminate the costly errors, reduce the bloopers and take our chances and we are doing enough to be right in the game against any opponent.
10. Players trying for long goals - yes Nashy got one through, but Watson continually tries it usually without success, as do others, for a very low success rate.
11. Agree with Andrew's point below, too often we didn't have an option or options ahead of the ball carrier when transitioning from defence, which was a feature of the early rounds in 2024. We need to hold a better forward structure.
12. Slow starts again. While we managed to regain the lead in Q1, we still did so from a two goal to nil deficit early.