With less than a month to go before their practice match against the Cats at GMHBA Stadium, the Hawks took to the grounds at Bunjil Bagora with enthusiasm and gusto on Monday as they ramp up their premiership preparations, with some new faces joining the session under trying conditions.ย
Fresh off the heels of AFL Academy prospects Oli Greeves and Willem Duursma training with Sam Mitchell's squad, the Hawks welcomed another trio of players who are looking at what it takes to make it in a professional environment and potentially seal a spot on Hawthorn's list at this year's draft.
Ky Burgoyne, son of Hawthorn triple Premiership player Shaun Burgoyne, Kobe Williams, son of 2008 Premiership player Mark Williams and Goy Jiath, younger brother of Hawthorn excitement machine Changkuoth Jiath, all participated in the Hawks main training session and didn't look out of place.
Burgoyne had experienced Hawthorn training in 2024, while for Jiath - who is an NGA-linked talent - and Williams it was a newer experience.
The boys spent time participating in drills, before having the opportunity to discuss some of the training program with Hawthorn's head of development Andy Collins.
During the match simulation towards the back end of training, Williams excelled in a new role.ย Often playing as a forward for the Western Jets in the Talent League, Williams was positioned at half-back during the 10-minute simulation and showed excellent poise and skills that wowed onlookers.
Being a potential father-son selection, as well as part of the Western Bulldogs' Next Generation Academy, Sam Mitchell and the Hawthorn recruiting team will no doubt be trying to entice young Williams to select the Hawks as his preference in the 2025 AFLย Draft.
Meanwhile, young midfielder Henry Hustwaite is no stranger to pre-season hype. Last year, Hustwaite was the star of the show during Hawthorn's intra-club match, where he dazzled as an inside midfielder against the likes of Will Day and James Worpel.
This year, Hustwaite looks ready to continue to put the pressure on the starting midfield as he vies for a spot in the Hawks starting 23.
Hustwaite was clean with his disposal out of the centre, where he amassed multiple clearances and looked composed in traffic, which will no doubt leave Hawthorn midfield coach David Hale with questions as to how he fits in the collection of talented players at his disposal.
Fringe ruck-forward Max Ramsden continues to pour the pressure on in his quest for a starting spot for the club's Opening Round clash against the Swans.
With regular key forwards Mitch Lewis and Calsher Dear unavailable for the opening clash of the season, Ramsden impressed all with his developed forward craft and his running ability.
Ramsden was partnered with Mabior Chol and was the standout key forward during the session, where he slotted a goal and helped set Jai Newcombe up with a brilliant handball in traffic.
His ability to lose his opponent with his high work rate and take marks, both contested and uncontested, will see his name considered for a starting position.
During the spirited training session,ย Newcombe continued to show that he is yet to hit his ceiling as he enters his fourth AFL pre-season.
His tackling was on display during a contested drill, where his defensive intent was on show, making many telling tackles that earned the praise of his teammates.
Newcombe then surprisingly fronted up in the forward line for match simulation, where he dazzled in attack, kicking a goal while having multiple score assists and looking dangerous in a position that will trouble opposition teams to counteract.
While he kicked eleven goals in 2024, the proposition of Newcombe becoming more of an attacking threat in the forward line in 2025 will be fascinating to watch for supporters in the brown and gold.
Youngster Connor MacDonald looks ready to take his game to another level off the back of an impressive 2024.
MacDonald's work rate was on full display, working his way up the field and offering outlets for his teammates, before becoming dangerous when the ball was inside the forward 50.
He kicked a set shot from the 50-metre line after a beautiful set-up play that saw fellow youngster Josh Ward hit a tremendous kick to MacDonald, who had found his way into space.
To end the simulation, MacDonald found himself on a wing, opposed to 2024 All-Australian aquad member Massimo D'Ambrosio, which shows that there is a possibility the young Hawk will get more opportunities in the midfield in 2025.
