A way too early Selection Dissection
There are a couple of shiny new additions to Sam Mitchell's stable, but it raises the question, how does Hawthorn's Match Committee fit everyone in?
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The trade period is finally over! Please AFL, I beg you to shorten it to a week!
Welcome to the Hawks Josh Battle and Tom Barrass. What a brilliant result for the club as we look ahead to season 2025. After a sensational 2024, I already can't wait for next season and I'm fascinated at how the team will line up.
We still have the National and Pre-Season/Rookie Drafts to come, so the ultimate make-up of our list won't be finalised until both of those are completed. In saying that, here are my initial thoughts on how we will line-up in Round 1, 2025:
The backline
With Battle and Barrass coming in, this line will be the biggest watch heading into next season. A backline mix of Frost, Barrass, Battle, Scrimshaw, Weddle and Sicily simply won't work.
I can see Weddle being moved up the ground and playing a range of roles. One of Sicily or Battle will need to start next season as a forward. I feel it will be Sicily.
Will there be room for Sam Frost who had a brilliant 2024? Sam Mitchell is on the record as saying Frost will be in the starting 22 next season. We have to take the coach on his word.
The midfield
Our midfield was very good in 2024. Almost as importantly, outside of the bookends to Will Day’s season, they were injury free for the majority of the season.
Jai Newcombe finished top 10 in the Brownlow Medal and won his first Peter Crimmins Medal.
James Worpel recaptured his 2019 Best and Fairest form.
Connor Nash played his multiple roles consistently throughout the season.
In 2025 we really need the likes of Cam Mackenzie and Josh Ward to go up a level. Josh Ward, who we drafted with Pick 7 in the 2021 National Draft will be entering his 4th season at AFL level. To start the season, I can only see one of Mackenzie or Ward in the starting line-up. I'm going with Mackenzie, who offers more flexibility.
The other interesting watch will be the wing spot opposite Massimo D'Ambrosio. I've got Harry Morrison ahead of Changkouth Jiath. Many will disagree and that's fair.
The ruck
Lloyd Meek had an incredible 2024. He has a clear hold on the number one ruck spot and that will continue in 2025. Ned Reeves and Max Ramsden will be fighting for the number 2 spot in the VFL each week.
I believe Ramsden will overtake Reeves as the number 2 in 2025. His back end to the VFL season playing as first ruck was superb. He offers more than Reeves around the ground and has a better forward craft, it will be the major ruck battle to keep an eye on next season.
The forwards
We started the 2024 season with a completely new-look forward line and boy did they excite and deliver. Numerous 10+ goal wins and consistently kicking 90+ points a game was a joy to watch.
The emergence of Calsher Dear and Nick Watson was simply incredible, while Jack Ginnivan and Mabior Chol both settled in well after moving during the 2023 trade period.
The only downer was the ACL injury to Mitch Lewis. With his injury history, he won't be rushed back. I can't see him playing until after Round 12 at the earliest.
Looking ahead to next year, I can't see either of Breust and Gunston playing more than 10 games each and can't see them ever playing in the same team. I feel for us to take the next step both need to be replaced in the “best 23”.
My best 23 for Round 1 2025
Here is my "Best 23" team for Round 1, 2025. I'm hoping the sub rule goes and there are a straight five players on the bench.
FB: Hardwick Barrass Battle
HB: Impey Scrimshaw Amon
C: D’Ambrosio Worpel Morrison
HF: Moore Sicily Ginnivan
FF: Watson Chol Dear
R: Meek Newcombe Day
Int: Mackenzie Nash Frost Weddle Macdonald
Emg: Ward Serong Breust
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Brad enjoyed reading your thoughts and other comments from other hawks followers, so thank you everyone... I just have to say that I absolutely LOVE the fact that in October, we are already talking about the team for next year's season after such an exciting year that we've had ... GO HAWKS !!!
As you stated, wanting a step up from Cam Mac and Josh Ward. I think we will get it as well.