During Hawthorn's recent three day camp to Torquay, young gun Max Ramsden continued to show that he is ready to step up and fill in the gap as one of the Hawks key forwards to start the 2025 AFL season.
With Mitch Lewis and Calsher Dear unavailable for the beginning of Hawthorn's 2025 Premiership tilt, Ramsden has used this pre-season to show that he is capable of partnering with Mabior Chol to lead the Hawks forward line.
During a brutal 6 quarter match simulation at Deakin University Oval, that included a massive collision between tough nut Jai Newcombe and new recruit Josh Battle, Ramsden acquitted himself incredibly well and will be at the front of the line for selection for the Hawks first practice match against the Cats in a fortnight's time.
Ramsden battled against the likes of Battle and Jack Scrimshaw as he showed that his forward craft has improved and he is ready to step up and take on quality opposition defenders to start the AFL season.
Ramsden was a crucial player in his team's forward line, using his impressive running power to lead up to the wing and give his side a bail out option, before working back and being a constant marking threat in the forward 50.
While he kicked a few goals and had lots of scoring opportunities during the match simulation, his impressive contested marking on the wing brought a smile to Hawks fans who were in attendance.
Since coming back from the Christmas break, Ramsden has spent all of his time during match simulation playing as a key forward, rather than as a ruck which he has done previously for Box Hill.
During this period, he has shone brightly as a key forward, which will no doubt put his name in contention for selection in a forward line that will contain the likes of Mabior Chol, Jack Gunston and Blake Hardwick to start the year.
When Ramsden was selected as the sixth pick in the Mid-Season Draft in 2022, he was considered incredibly raw but was seen to have qualities and abilities that would see him be able to flourish in the AFL season.
Ramsden's running prowess has always stood out, especially for a big man, and, despite being over 200 centimetres and weighing close 100 kilograms, he wowed many at the club by taking out the six-minute time trial in a group that also contained midfield stalwarts including Jai Newcombe, Conor Nash and James Worpel, as well as experienced wingman Harry Morrison..
Since being selected as a mid-season selection, he has spent time building muscle to his frame to enable him to compete with rucks and key defenders.
He added three kilograms to his frame over the off-season, and 15 kilograms in total in his time at Hawthorn, through hard work in the gym and commitment to his diet, which has allowed him to hold his own in marking contests this pre-season while competing against experienced key defenders.
At Hawthorn, when a player achieves a personal best in the gym it is shown through the ringing of the bell, and this pre-season alone, the 21-year-old has recorded personal bests, for power and speed as he looks to add to his high level of endurance.
While he was drafted as a ruckman, he has always been held in high regard at Bunjil Bagora for his ability to take marks and his high work rate, with Andy Collins, Head Development Coach at Hawthorn, holding him in high regard.
While still not the finished product and spending copious amounts of time rucking due to injury to Ned Reeves, he was still able to secure third place in Hawthorn's VFL affiliates Box Hill's goal kicking award.
After playing three games in 2024 and kicking his first AFL goal, Ramsden has worked hard on his forward craft, and if his performance in match simulations against AFL quality defenders is anything to go by, he is ready to secure a regular starting spot in the team.
Through his form this preseason, there is no doubt that Ramsden is ready to step up and partner Mabior Chol in the Hawks forward lineup for the opening round clash against the Swans in Round Zero.
