Under the grey skies of their new state-of-the-art training facility, Hawthorn welcomed back their full complement of players as Sam Mitchell got his first look at his squad during the 2026 pre-season.
The players, acclimatised to windy and wet conditions after calling Waverley Park their home for many seasons, were ready to show Mitchell and his new-look coaching group that they are keen to go one step further in 2026.
After losing this year’s preliminary final to the Cats at the MCG, the squad is determined to secure a grand final spot.
While the majority of players were back on deck last week when only first-to-fourth-year players were expected, Monday had the whole playing group on display.
A few Hawks put forth excellent performances to show they are ready to hit the ground running and have the Hawks vying for a flag in 2026.
While skipper James Sicily, ruckman Ned Reeves, young key forward Calsher Dear and star midfielder Jai Newcombe were on light duties, young gun Josh Ward and vice-captain Dylan Moore showed they are ready to step up and fill the void in the Hawthorn midfield, while experienced half-back Karl Amon looks ready to continue on with his impressive form.
During the training session, the Hawks were split into groups before being put through a tough running block. This involved a daunting time trial to test their endurance and running capabilities early in their training block, as well as to assess their conditioning after the end-of-season break.
With Josh Weddle watching on during the time trial, young midfielder Josh Ward showed he is putting his best foot forward, wanting to consolidate and secure a starting spot in the Hawthorn midfield — a group that missed out on bringing in experienced midfielder Zach Merrett during the 2025 trade period.
Amon and Moore were close on Ward’s hammer during the last part of the run but were unable to narrow the margin. New recruit Jack Dalton and Finn Maginness, who is on the comeback path after missing the back end of the 2025 season with a lacerated kidney, rounded out the top five in the group.
In the second block, Harry Morrison — who missed the back end of the season, including the Hawks’ finals campaign, after playing the first 20 games — showed he is looking to reclaim his spot in the Hawks’ starting 23 for next season.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 18: Josh Ward of the Hawks is tackled by Cam Mackenzie of the Hawks during a Hawthorn Hawks AFL training session at Waverley Park on March 18, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
He showcased his aerobic capacity and toughness as he took out the second group ahead of midfield bull Conor Nash, with ruck/forward Max Ramsden, young midfielder Cam Mackenzie and ruckman Lloyd Meek rounding out the top five.
After the time trial, the players were put through a skills session where a few of the Hawthorn talls looked impressive.
Mitchell Lewis was in terrific form during the forwards-against-defenders drill, making it difficult for key defender James Blanck through his use of strength and speed to be a prominent threat.
Mabior Chol and young key defender Noah Mraz had an interesting battle, with Chol getting the better of the young gun at times, while Mraz’s tenacity was on show as he refused to concede.
Reigning Peter Crimmins medallist, the ever-young 34-year-old Jack Gunston looks ready to continue his career renaissance, not missing a beat and being involved in all of the drills.
Gunston, who was part of a group of Hawks who trained in Texas during the off-season, appears to be leaving no stone unturned as he aims to secure a regular spot in the crowded Hawthorn forward line — a forward line that will need to fit in Lewis, Dear, and Chol, as well as mercurial small forward Nick Watson.
Potential SSP selection Brodie McLaughlin didn’t look out of place, looking particularly impressive with his running and forward leading craft as he looks to secure one of two remaining places on the Hawthorn list. He is seeking to give himself an AFL lifeline after previously being on the Gold Coast Suns list before plying his trade at Williamstown this year, where he starred with his forward craft and conversion in front of goal.
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 12: Brodie McLaughlin of the Suns during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session at Heritage Bank Stadium on April 12, 2023 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
To round off training, a contingent of Hawks midfielders continued to hone their skills during stoppage and clearance practice — an area of concern for the Hawks, especially during their preliminary final defeat, where they were comprehensively outplayed and outmuscled by Geelong in that area of the ground.
Connor Macdonald, Henry Hustwaite, Ward and Mackenzie were joined by new rookie selection Ollie Greeves, putting in the hard yards as they aim to be front of mind to help fill the void in the Hawks’ midfield after the departure of experienced midfielder James Worpel as a free agent to the Cats in the 2025 trade period.