After missing both finals last September due to a complex collarbone injury, Will Day was the clear standout across the first three quarters, continuing his brilliant pre-season with a commanding display through the middle of the ground.
The 2023 Peter Crimmins medallist was dominant around stoppage and hit the scoreboard with two goals in the third quarter – he almost slotted a third from inside the centre square – pushing forward like he has across the pre-season in what could be a sign of things to come in 2025.
"He's had a good summer. I think he's touched on it being the first full pre-season he's had. He looked the player we know he is going to be; he was dynamic inside; he kicked a couple of goals, which is something we want him to do a bit more of," Hawthorn midfield coach David Hale said.
James Sicily got through his first game since undergoing a shoulder reconstruction in October unscathed, playing alongside recruit Josh Battle in defence in the first half, with Tom Barrass set to face the Western Bulldogs next Thursday night.
Battle copped a corked leg in the last quarter, returned to the ground, but then sat out the final 20 minutes of the game after demonstrating his intercept game in his first appearance in the brown and gold.
Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield played only the first half and then ran sprints at half-time, before veteran midfielder Mitch Duncan entered the game for the second half. Hawthorn defender Jack Scrimshaw didn't appear after the main break after being poked in the eye.
Mabior Chol and Ollie Henry injected life into the scratch match in the third quarter, kicking two goals each to entertain a decent crowd of a few thousand on a Monday afternoon.
Gryan Miers' devasting right foot inside 50 was on display at Kardinia Park, as it has been since he broke Jason Akermanis' goal assists record in 2023, while Brad Close finished with three goals in his signature long-sleeved No.45 guernsey and Shannon Neale provided a target in attack ahead of the first season without Tom Hawkins.
With only two pre-season matches, Hawthorn didn't expose too much youth on Monday, with Nick Watson missing due to illness. Cam Mackenzie impressed as he looks to build on his 20 appearances in 2024, amid a midfield stacked with options.
Geelong hosts Essendon at GMHBA Stadium in the AAMI Community Series next Tuesday, while Hawthorn heads to Launceston for the first time in 2025 to meet the Western Bulldogs at University of Tasmania Stadium.
Young guns
Former first-round pick Connor O'Sullivan showed off the progress he has made this summer, showcasing his intercept marking prowess behind the ball as the 19-year-old hunts an Opening Round spot down back against Brisbane. Young ruckman Mitch Edwards produced some decent moments. Will McCabe and Bodie Ryan only played limited minutes in the last quarter, but both caught the eye late. Jasper Scaife and Noah Mraz only featured in the dying minutes.
Switching positions
Finn Maginness played across half-forward and hit the scoreboard after changing from No.32 to his father's No.20, kicking two goals in the first half. Blake Hardwick spent time in attack across 2024 and looks set for more time there this year after playing inside 50 on Monday, following a full summer in the role. James Sicily moved forward in the second half after Jack Gunston exited the game. Sam De Koning played in the ruck for most of the game and looks set to stay there this year, before Rhys Stanley played the fourth quarter.
Injury watch
Jack Scrimshaw sat out the second half after copping a poke in the eye in the second quarter. Josh Battle ended the game on the bench with a corkie. Nick Watson didn't feature after missing training last week due to illness, but the mercurial small forward is expected to play in the AAMI Community Series, along with Changkuoth Jiath and Luke Breust, who were both managed on Monday. Tyson Stengle and Lawson Humphries both played for the Indigenous All Stars on Saturday and are set for next week, while Shaun Mannagh, Toby Conway and Cam Guthrie are all facing a delayed start to 2025. Jack Martin banked some minutes in the VFL intraclub late on Monday.
GEELONG 3.8 6.13 10.14 15.16 (106)
HAWTHORN 2.2 5.3 10.6 13.8 (86)
GOALS
Maginness 2, Day 2, Chol 2, Gunston, Newcombe, Weddle, Morrison, Reeves, Ramsden, Hardwick
HAWTHORN
1. Harry Morrison. 3. Jai Newcombe, 5. James Worpel, 6. James Sicily, 7. Ned Reeves, 8. Sam Frost, 11. Conor Nash, 12. Will Day, 13. Dylan Moore, 14. Jack Scrimshaw, 15. Blake Hardwick, 17. Lloyd Meek, 18. Mabior Chol, 19. Jack Gunston, 20. Finn Maginness, 21. Noah Mraz, 23. Josh Weddle, 24. Josh Battle, 25. Josh Ward, 26. Bodie Ryan, 27. Will McCabe, 28. Cam Mackenzie, 29. Jai Serong, 31. Connor Macdonald, 33. Jack Ginnivan, 38. Max Ramsden, 39. Jasper Scaife, 40. Seamus Mitchell, 42. Bailey Macdonald, 44. Henry Hustwaite
Notable absentees: Nick Watson, Tom Barrass, Massimo D'Ambrosio, Luke Breust, Changkuoth Jiath, Jarman Impey, Karl Amon
