The Hawthorn team is well aware of the level they can achieve when they are in good form, and how bad things can get when their Australian Rules football tactics, which they call "Hawks ball," fail. The team is working hard to improve its consistency in order to perform better in crucial moments. This focus on consistency is vital for achieving their season goals.
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03-06, 2025Due to the impact of Cyclone Alfred, Hawthorn's scheduled match against the Sydney Swans at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday night has now become the opening game of the season, giving coach Sam Mitchell and his players a heightened sense of the unknown challenge. This game also places additional pressure on the team, requiring them to cope even better. The team's preparation has been adjusted to accommodate the change in schedule and the increased pressure.
Mitchell stated during Wednesday's training, "You always look back, but you need to look forward." He emphasized the importance of the team working hard to improve and pointed out that the team needs to regularly beat top teams, especially in key moments. He also expressed the team's desire to return to the finals and identified many areas for improvement during the pre-season, including consistency and coping in crucial moments. The coaching staff is focused on instilling a winning mentality within the team.
In Hawthorn's upcoming pre-season documentary, Mitchell tells his players that they need to "show a bit of anger when it's needed – and the anger is coming." He believes that there is still a lot of room for improvement if the team wants to build on last year's performance. He also mentioned that the Swans were one of the five teams that performed well last year, and the team needs to improve in all aspects to be more competitive in the game. The documentary aims to provide fans with insights into the team's preparations and mindset.
Hawthorn will not risk playing Changkuoth Jiath as he is nursing a "niggling hip" injury, while big-name recruits Josh Battle and Tom Barrass will make their debut for the club. Mitchell expressed caution regarding Jiath's injury and emphasized that there is no point in risking him early in the season. At the same time, he was pleasantly surprised by the partnership between Battle and Barrass in last week's pre-season game against the Western Bulldogs. The team is taking a cautious approach to player fitness to ensure long-term success.
Mitchell added that it is an honor to participate in the opening game of the season, while also expressing concern about the worrying situation in Southeast Queensland. He stated that the priority is to consider the people there, who are preparing for the approaching storm. He believes that participating in the opening game is a privilege in itself, and now that it has become the first game of the season, it adds even more significance. The team is aware of the broader context surrounding the game and is sending their thoughts to those affected by the cyclone.
