It seemed to come out of nowhere. An 0-5 start to the season has been transformed into five wins from their last six games, their only loss by a single point after an unbelievable collapse. However, this hasn’t surprised those invested in the Hawthorn Football Club. Finally, after seasons of glimpses, Sam Mitchell’s men may have arrived.
After a pre-season of anticipation, a slogan of “No Limits,” and an exciting trade and draft crop, the Hawthorn men were expected to make significant progress in 2024.
But in a swift day of training, Hawthorn’s troops were depleted. An intraclub match saw Changkuoth Jiath seriously injuring his hamstring. Just minutes later, key defender James Blanck ruptured his ACL.
Their defensive stocks continued to succumb to injuries: draftee Will McCabe suffered a back issue, Denver Grainger-Barras dealt with the setback of turf toe. Superstars Will Day and Dylan Moore suffered pre-season hindrances – a foot stress fracture and glandular fever kept them out of the main training group for at least a month.
The anticipation of Hawthorn’s potential, built from their 2023 scalps of Collingwood, Brisbane, and the Western Bulldogs, was shattered, leading to a horror start to the 2024 campaign.
While injuries contributed, they weren’t the only reason for Hawthorn’s poor start. Key players underperformed in early losses – James Sicily was held to just 11 disposals in Round 1 as the Hawks kicked 17 behinds. In Round 2, a stagnant brand of footy saw them score only 38 against a relentless Demons side. Against Geelong, defensive holes were evident in their 36-point loss.
Hawthorn was dominated in the clearances in the first half against Collingwood and, despite a brave fightback, couldn’t overcome a 38-point halftime deficit. The midfield’s lack of quality was exposed again in a crushing defeat to Gold Coast. Jai Newcombe, James Worpel, and Conor Nash had 10, 14, and 10 disposals respectively in an awful display. The Hawks had an 0-5 start with a percentage of 64.8, their worst in 54 years. However, this loss sparked the beginning of Hawthorn’s mid-season turnaround.
Upon arrival at Melbourne Airport, vice-captain Dylan Moore emphasized the need for toughness and hard work. Moore has embodied this toughness, driving Hawthorn’s resurgence with his consistency and leadership. He kicked four goals as Hawthorn secured their first win of the season against North Melbourne, providing a much-needed victory to steady the ship.
Following the Suns loss and media scrutiny, Moore’s leadership shone through. His efforts have driven Hawthorn’s tougher approach to football and are among the reasons for their resurgence this year.
Despite the stakes not being as high, Hawthorn’s choke to Port Adelaide shares similarities with the 2012 AFL Grand Final. The lessons from this loss may prove invaluable for years to come. The 2012 Grand Final’s hurt drove Hawthorn to future success, and the new-age Hawks have similarly taken accountability for their Round 10 collapse against Port Adelaide. Hawthorn responded with resilience, learning from their mistakes and securing upset victories against Brisbane and GWS.
Hawthorn’s statistical improvements in clearances, rebound 50s, and goal attempts indicate progress across the board. Key players have stepped up, with notable contributions from Lloyd Meek, Massimo D’Ambrosio, Jai Newcombe, and Will Day. Mitchell’s “Rascal Pack,” a confident and dynamic young core, has continually impressed.
With a tough schedule ahead, including matches against Richmond, Geelong, Collingwood, and Carlton, Hawthorn’s scalps of Brisbane and GWS provide confidence. Their charge towards a finals berth promises to be captivating.
