Hawthorn hosted Essendon in a match simulation on Saturday afternoon, walking away with a 15-point win.

The game consisted of four 20-minute quarters and the Hawks looked to grow in confidence in each stanza.

It was the Hawks who hit the scoreboard first through young gun Bridie Hipwell, who marked deep inside 50 and kicked truly from set shot.

Moments later Captain Emily Bates delivered a great clearance, which converted to our second goal through Aine McDonagh, her first of an impressive afternoon.

The Hawks led by three points at quarter time.

The second quarter opened with a pearler set shot from Sophie Locke from 40 out on the boundary.

While later in the term, McDonagh managed her second from the goal square after crafty hands over top from Charlotte Baskaran.

Hawthorn again took a three-point lead into the main break.

The Bombers had the best of the third term, taking their first lead of the day, up by three-points at the last break.

Greta Bodey got on the end of a great goal, snapping a banana from the boundary late in the third.

But the Hawks looked to have the fresher legs, among them 2023 draftee Mikayla Williamson, who dominated the wing with her superb running.

The last quarter was one of dominance from the Hawks, as they got back in front and extend the margin for a 15-point win.

Four goals was enough to get the job done, the first came via McDonagh to finish off her day with three majors.

Next saw Louise Stephenson hit the scoreboard with a beautiful set shot, followed by Mattea Breed, as she showcased her ability to keep the ball on a string, with a run on goal.

And lastly it was draftee Sophie Butterworth who kick truly from set shot with her first (unofficial) goal for the Hawks, with a golf swing celebration to cap off the day.

From the experienced players to the new Hawks, everyone played their part well and showed lots of promise for what’s to come.

Our first look at Eliza West and Casey Sherriff in brown and gold, was impressive.  With the likes of young Hawks in Jess Vukic rotating through the ruck, while Laura Stone and Hayley McLaughlin gave us a taste of their potential.  

Midfield coach Keegan Brooksby said the game was a good chance to take to the field and see how the side fared against a quality outfit like the Bombers.

“It's great to be back out playing games first and foremost. It's been a long pre-season, so the ability for the players to be able to come out and hit some bodies from another team, we were really looking forward to,” Brooksby said.

“We walk away pretty happy with the four-quarter effort and what we saw in glimpses and plenty to take away from as learnings as well.”

Brooksby noted the excitement of getting to see a new combination through the midfield.

“I think just getting the mix off some new players in there playing together. So like (Eliza) Westy and Casey Sherriff from Melbourne coming on board, Mattea (Breed) spending some time in the midfield Mickey (Mikayla Williamson) spending some time on a wing, all new to our midfield mix,” he said.

“They certainly showed individual glimpses but the connection that they got playing together for the first time against real opposition and got put under a bit of pressure and the way they were able to work through the game and get something out of it puts us in a good spot moving into the next practice game.”

Next week marks the Hawks’ official practice match against the Swans, who made it through to a semi-final in 2023. Brooksby detailed what the side was looking for in that match-up.

“I think just building on what we had today, four quarters, 20 minutes and we have 27 that we rolled through, next week we’ll get down to 24,” he said.

“Really ramp up preparation for Round 1, and that’s really the focus from now. This was a really good hit out to smash into some bodies and see how we’re fairing.

“Next week ramp it up again and then really it’s all systems go for Round 1, so looking forward to that.

“From a midfield point of view we get more time together and from a team point of view we get to bed down some things we’ve been working on as well.”

Up next, the Hawks travel to Sydney to face the Swans at the SCG next Saturday 17 August.

The match commences at 2pm and will be live streamed on hawthornfc.com.au or if you’re in Sydney and want to support the team in person, entry is free.

Hawthorn           2.1          4.1          5.1          9.1 (55)

Essendon           1.4          3.4          5.4          6.4 (40)

Goals: McDonagh 3, Hipwell, Locke, Stephenson, Breed, Butterworth. 

Hear Brooksby's full interview below.