The statement win we needed
A big win against the Saints and the return of the Prince have us all believing again
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R12: HAWTHORN 18.11 (119) d ST KILDA 9.13 (67)
After an up and down patch of footy, Hawthorn needed a statement win.
Not because the season was on the line. Because after an ugly grind against Adelaide, and three matches beforehand where the Hawks hadn’t tasted victory at all, it felt like this group needed a reminder of what it looks like when everything clicks.
On Thursday night, it clicked.
By half-time the Saints hadn’t kicked a goal. Hawthorn’s pressure was relentless, its ball movement sharp and its forward line looked dangerous from almost every entry. The result felt settled long before the final siren.
But before we get into any of that, we have to talk about Will Day.
Every touch got a cheer and every time he found himself in space you could almost hear Hawthorn supporters collectively exhale. We’ve spent months talking about what this midfield could look like once Day returned. Thursday wasn’t the finished product, but we were just a Conor Nash away from the full midfield experience, and it felt right.
We also got the full Sam Mitchell experience. There was Angry Sam who looked the coach more likely to give his side a halftime spray while 50 points up. And Jovial Sam in junk time, ripping into Jack Gunston who watched on as Blake Hardwick kicked four goals in a quarter.
That’s probably why the second half felt so strange.
The Saints kicked six goals in the third quarter and Channel Seven desperately tried to convince us there was a contest unfolding. But the only contest unfolding was the one in Nick Riewoldt’s head.
Every time St Kilda threatened to build some momentum, Hawthorn responded. The result never really felt in doubt and that’s why Gunston was parked on the bench with five goals next to his name for the entire last quarter.
Mitchell also managed Will Day’s return, and spent the last quarter moving magnets around as though he was already thinking about next week.
That’s generally a good sign.
The final margin was 52 points but the game felt over long before that.
After a month where Hawthorn has been grinding, scrapping and occasionally frustrating, this was a reminder that when the Hawks get the game played on their terms they’re still a bloody difficult side to stop.
🕵🏻♂️ Ash’s Observations:
1. Going to start by a contradiction. Last week I said there was no need for style points at this time of year, just the bank the wins. That remains true, but flexing doesn’t hurt from time to time. The Saints were right for the plucking and plucked they were.
2. Lots to like about a rare stress-free night at the footy. Will Day getting through unscathed was great, but it was the second game back last year that did him in. Get through Friday night against the Bulldogs and we can dare to dream about what the rest of the season looks like.
3. Had a chuckle when Blake Hardwick started the last quarter at full-forward. Laughed out loud after he finished the game with four quarters. If Tom Barrass remains the player the Hawks can least afford to be missing come September, Hardwick must be rocketing up that chart.
4. “Bailey McDonald can play” was the text message I received from a leading football commentator during the game and I agree. If he can back himself just that bit more with the footy and tidy up his disposal, he has the attributes needed to be a 150-game player. If I’m the list manager at the Hawks, I’m re-signing him now. The mob the Hawks just beat could use a player like him and Tassie would have him in a heartbeat.
5. Enjoyed watching Cam Nairn in the flesh. Give him a summer and he’ll be a walk-up best 23 player. Tidy with the footy and excellent defensively for a two-game player. He was mocked a bit higher than #20 in the draft, so he might come to be seen a steal. No need for Hawks fans to have envy about some of those who went higher to clubs such as Essendon and Melbourne.
6. Cam McKenzie is putting together his best patch of sustained form. That was one of his best games for the club and that it came against St Kilda, the club that, let’s face it, he should be playing for, made it even sweeter.
7. If by the letter of the law, it was the correct call for Nick Watson’s goal after the siren to be overturned, then to quote Charles Dickens, the law is an ass.
8. And good for Sam Mitchell to finally stop hedging his bets and to say something about it post-game. And his point was right, it might have been the correct call (although there was no clear deviation off the line), but it is the rule that needs addressing. Thankfully in the scheme of things, it didn’t matter.
9. The Hawks still have some work to do with their ball movement going forward, but some of the transition out of defensive 50 was impressive, even against sub-par opposition.
10. Watson streaking out of a centre clearance and steaming toward goal was a thing of beauty. One of these days he won’t do the team thing and will kick the goal instead. And it will win Goal of the Year.
11. The is no such thing as a best 23 because the opponent, the conditions, the draw and health of the list all come into play. But the Hawks might have a full list to choose from for the Dogs on Friday. It makes this the most anticipated team selection of the year.
12. That’s it for Marvel for 2026. Hawks fans like to grouch about the place, but that’s seven straight wins and nine from the last 10 under the lid.
13. But it will be nice to be back at the MCG for a home game. Easter Monday was the last game. That was 10 rounds ago.
🧐 Things we like to see #1
Will Day back out there and doing stuff like this.
🧐 Things we like to see #2
And this.
🧐 Things we like to see #3
And this.
⭐️ Best on ground: James Sicily
Sis was back doing Sis things, and doesn’t he just love playing the Saints? It feels like every time Hawthorn faces St Kilda he ends up towelling up whoever is unfortunate enough to line up on him. This time it was a rotating cast of Cooper Sharman, Isaac Keeler and Anthony Caminiti. Light work. The numbers were impressive: 33 disposals at 81 per cent efficiency and a game-high 13 intercept possessions. A worthy Silk-Miller medallist on a day where Gunston kicked five in three quarters.
👼 Unsung hero: Cam Mackenzie
We’ve reached the point where 29 disposals from Cam Mackenzie barely gets mentioned. That’s probably the biggest compliment you can give him. A year ago we’d be building articles around performances like this. Now Mackenzie is quietly becoming one of Hawthorn’s most dependable midfielders, finding the ball, using it well and making good decisions almost every week.
🤯 Under pressure: The Hawthorn Match Committee
With Day, Chol, and Gunston back, and Barrass a test for the Dogs, they really have their work cut out for them. There are far worse problems to have, but Hawthorn is rapidly reaching the point where good AFL players are going to miss out every week.
🎤 Sammy said what!?
“We thought we should have been able to win it from there. So, if we get the chance to rest him [Jack Gunston] up, then we’ll take it.”
“[Gunston] obviously wishing that it was him that kicked nine.”
“In the first half of this game we played some footy that was closer to the brand that we would like to play.”
“Why would he [Nick Watson] run wider to give himself a harder shot at goal and get called play on? Didn’t make a lot of sense.”
“We knew pretty early on that he [Cam McKenzie] was going to be a very good player.”
“Usually around that between 50 and 100 games, a lot of players seem to figure out, ‘Okay, I can do a few things I didn’t know I could before.’”
“Their [Cam McKenzie and Josh Ward’s] worst games have improved significantly and then when you see them at their best they’re pretty special players for us.”
“I felt stable eight weeks ago. You guys might have been nervous about our midfield, but I’ve been quite confident in the group we have.”
“As friends, I would love them [his assistant coaches] to get the opportunity to be a head coach. As a head coach, I hope none of them get chosen.”
“The perfect game doesn’t exist.”
🗣️ Final Word: Will Day (of course)
“It’s so much fun. I made an effort to just get back in and be grateful for being out there. Getting a win adds a bit on top.”
“We’ve been working on getting back on the same page with everyone in this little lull in the season we’ve had. We’ve done a lot of hours at the club working through different things and it’s good to see it’s coming back out on the field.”
“It’s a bit frustrating [being on managed minutes], but I’m just trusting the process. Starting off every quarter and being taken off when you haven’t been out for too long isn’t fun, but it’s something we’ve been planning for a long time and we’ll keep gradually building over the next few weeks.”
“For the fans to show out on a Thursday night at an away game was special. The home game against the Dogs next week is going to be pretty cool.”
❓ Question Of The Week
📆 Next Week: Western Bulldogs
Marvel and UTAS may be our fortresses, but we’re back at the MCG next week for our second clash against the Dogs in 2026.
And who knows what Bulldogs team will turn up. The Dogs have been inconsistent and injury plagued, but Luke Beveridge has more than enough talent at his disposal to cause problems.
The good news? Hawthorn seems to have this matchup figured out.
The Hawks have won the last five meetings between the sides, including Gather Round earlier this year, last year’s Elimination Final, and every encounter across #HokBall2024.
More importantly, Hawthorn will head into next week looking a lot more like Hawthorn.
Six in a row against the Bulldogs sounds pretty nice heading into the bye.
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What was learnt?
1. The pressure placed on the opposition reflected the Jeans’ quote “Kill the body and the mind will crumble” – In the first half, when looking at contested situations, the “white” jumpers clearly outnumbered the “dark” jumpers hunting the ball. Then when the Saints had a chance to move the ball, the intent to come forward to the ball carrier and forcing them to make a decision, generating a contagious level of confusion within the opposition. Once they had the scent of blood in the water channeling Clarko’s shark metaphor, they swarmed for “the kill”.
2. The game starts in the centre square and if you get it right, the game is played on your terms – Coming into the game, one area of concern was the athleticism of the Saints’ rucks to overrun both Reeves and Meek. From the first bounce, Reeves imposed himself on the centre square contests and dominated TDK in these contests. He was also able to provide clean service to the mids which they took clear advantage of for the first time this season.
3. Watson as a centre square option becoming stronger – See below Watson’s CBA numbers, his highest for the year, but more significantly he was able to connect a couple of times for clean clearances which hasn’t been a strength of his thus far.
4. The high half forwards were in synch for a long time – A feature of the team’s performance in 2025 was the ability of Moore, Ginnivan and CMacdonald to create and finish off chances. In the past month, both Ginnivan and CMacdonald have been out of touch with their best games, however this was the game where they all hit form together. It is a clear reminder as to how important they are to the performance of the team. Perhaps assisted by the options for others to play on the wing (Nairn & Perez), allowing Ginnivan to spend more time in the offensive part of the ground – 90% this week.
5. The most important kick in the game is the one going inside F50 – With the return of Day, we regained another player who has the foot skills to provide quality delivery to a leading forward. Newcombe was equally as surgically efficient with his delivery inside F50. D’Ambrosio was another to demonstrate what he can do with the ball going inside F50. His overall kicking efficiency stats aren’t great, but he was able to hit the most important ones.
6. Chol provided a master class of the modern tall forward – For those who may still be doubting his value to the team, now he is doing centre square work adding another string to his bow. For a player of his size, his capacity to sidestep opponents is a skill that few players of his size possess. Equally, his field kicking is as good as any in the team and no doubt those who play closer to goal lick their lips when Chol is turning towards them. For those old enough, a West Indian fast bowler in the 70s & 80s – Michael Holding – was known as “Whispering Death” as he was so nonchalant and athletic in his run up, but wreaked havoc on batters. The same principles could be applied to Chol for his defensive work inside F50.
Observations:
• Mackenzie’s best all round game as he was able to win his own ball in contests as well as consistently apply defensive pressure. Notably he had 91% TOG in the fourth quarter which has been a watch on his game.
• Having been exemplary over the past month, Impey proved himself to be fallible in the 3rd quarter when he made a couple of poor decisions.
• BMacdonald has pace, which is an attribute we are light on, but he has to improve his kicking skills, particularly going inside F50. It is all well and good to race past opponents, but if you miss the target and they come out the other side of the ground, we are caught out of position. It was noticeable after some poor kicks in the 1st quarter, he handballed 6 times in the 2nd – gun shy?
• Nairn again was our highest rated player in running offensively, but he was also able to get back to help the back six. He also recorded the highest average speed in the game. (The Saints recorded the top 5 players in the game defensively.)
• Perez was another player to provide the coaches with more flexibility starting on the wing, allowing Ginnivan to play forward and then go back releasing Hardwick.
• Best set shot conversion for the year: 15 set shots for 11.3 & 1 miss. 73.33% goal conversion – previous best 66.67% Fremantle.
• Disposal distribution was interesting – 217 kicks/212 handballs 1:1 ratio is high, but forward handball has become a trend in the game overall.
• 0 disposals quarters – 2nd: Reeves; 4th Gunston
• Tackle count by quarter – 16/18; 17/5; 11/14; 12/11 (56/48)
• I50 count/score by quarter 14/8 (3.2/0.2); 17/8 (5.5/0.3); 12/17 (5.4/6.2); 13/11 (5.0/3.6))
• Disposal count: 126/88; 110/100; 97/92; 100/107 (429/387)
• TOG % Bottom 5 (plus rucks): Meek 54%; Reeves 60%; Day 62%; Gunston 62%; Chol 73%; Perez 75%; Nairn 75%; Lewis 78% (Battle 95% highest.)
• Kicking efficiency (DE): Reeves 100%/1 (100); Chol 89%/9 (90); Newcombe 88%/8 (96); Amon 88%/16 (92); Weddle 86%/7 (87); Hardwick 82%/11 (82); Sicily 80%/20 (82)
Lewis 50%/6 (62); BMacdonald 50%/6 (80); Meek 50%/2 (80); D’Ambrosio 53%/17 (71); Gunston 60%/10 (60); Nairn 60%/10 (77); Perez 60%/5 (78).
Starting 4: (CBA/% total CBA/CC)
1st Qrt: Reeves (15/50/0) Newcombe (25/83/5) Ward (17/57/1) Mackenzie (15/50/2)
2nd Qrt: Chol (3/10/1) Newcombe Ward Watson (10/33/2)
3rd Qrt: Reeves Newcombe Ward Watson
4th Qrt: Meek (12/40/1) Newcombe Ward Mackenzie
Day 14/47/1 CMacdonald 9/30/2
30 CBAs/15 clearances (Opposition:10 Neutral:5)
Using the three ruck options worked was implemented again with Chol only involved in the 2nd quarter – this was the 5th quarter across the season he has been in CBAs. With Naash out, the rotations were limited to 6 midfielders with Watson having a season high CBA count. Ward started in the centre square for each quarter for the first time. The quality of the ruck work looked to be more connected with the mids with 3 goals from centre clearances. Winning the centre clearances was against recent performances and lost stoppages which may reflect the absence of Nash and his role. Reeves didn’t attend a CBA in the 2nd quarter and only played 37% TOG for the quarter.
Watch for the season
Gunston – 2 x lead. 1 back shoulder space; 1 crumb; 1 general play
Issue for the week:
The pecking order for those who sit outside the best 18 is starting to take shape, however there may still be specific roles that may well suit those who may be “lower” on the list. The issue is how selection will be managed in the middle part of the season as opportunities need to be given to those who are ranked 19-30 and for them to take their chances when they are called up to the level.
This was the classic game where we had an across-the-board contribution from our midfield / half forward group, with Mackenzie, Massimo, Jai, Ward, Ginnivan, Watson, Connor Mac, and Moore having 20+ possessions. While he only had 18 possessions, on a game time adjusted basis, Day's numbers were excellent. This is the blueprint for success against the better teams. Ward's consistency is now a feature of his game and Mackenzie's ability to accumulate good possession numbers in recent games is extremely pleasing.
The development of Mackenzie and Ward, together with the return of Will Day, is not only a huge factor on game day, it also has list management implications. There was discussion on the HI pod last week about whether we'd take Merrett or Greene. Right now, I'd take neither - perhaps Greene as a free agent - as the draft capital we'd have to give up for a player such as Merrett who will play no more than 50-60 games and will take serious midfield minutes from Mackenzie and Ward, is not in the our immediate or medium term interests.
While TDK and Marshall were neutralized, the benefits of the two rucks is still an open question. They combined for 15 possessions and 2 marks and while there was hit out dominance, this didn't translate to clearance dominance. Are we better with a player such as McCabe in the 23 instead of Meek/Reeves, who offers versatility and can allow us to retain 3 tall forwards while Mabior does some ruck minutes. It will be a fascinating watch this week, particularly with the possibility that the Bulldogs may play English and Lobb as their ruck pairing. That duel could be decisive in determining the outcome on Friday night.
Is there any concern that firstly, we allowed StKilda back into the game after half and but for their poor goal kicking it could have been a little worrying, secondly, despite our apparent dominance, the expected score was 12 points and thirdly, we really struggled to defend Silvagni when he moved forward after half time?
With Barass and Nash likely to be available this week, selection will be a big watch. Given that Perez was the late inclusion, you'd think that he is replaced by Nash, however not so easy is who Barass replaces and how the defence sets up when he returns, given that Weddle is now likely to play as a permanent defender. Does Amon go to a wing? Does Hardwick go forward? Regardless, to be at full strength for such an important game is a great position to be in.