Hawthorn’s Opening Round clash with the Sydney Swans will now open the 2025 season this Friday night at the SCG.

In kicking off their 2025 campaign, the Hawks welcome the addition of two club debutants in Josh Battle and Tom Barrass, for their first official game in the brown and gold.

Both teams had a thrilling finals campaign in 2024, with the Hawks narrowly missing a Preliminary Finals berth, while the Swans made the grand final, but were dismantled in the decider.

The Hawks will look to pick up where they left off, with an exciting brand of football under Friday night lights in Sydney.   

Here's all you need to know ahead of the game:

WHO: Sydney Swans v Hawthorn
WHAT: Opening Round
WHERE: SCG
WHEN: Friday 7 March
TIME: 7.40pm AEDT
BROADCAST: Channel 7 and Fox Footy/Kayo

How to watch

Following along at home? The game will be broadcast free to air on Channel 7 and also on Fox Footy and can be streamed through Kayo.

Don’t have Kayo? Click HERE to check out our Hawks on Demand membership and save on 12 months of Kayo.

Follow @hawthornfc on Instagram, X and Facebook to remain updated on all the behind-the-scenes action on game day.

Last time we met

Hawthorn (42) defeated by Sydney Swans (118) in Round 7, 2024.

The Swans managed a six-goal opening quarter before surging toward a 76-point win over the Hawks at the MCG.

In his first game of the year after a foot injury, reining Hawthorn best and fairest winner Will Day (11 disposals, four clearances) added some class to the home side, spurring a strong patch from his side late in the third term.

Mabior Chol managed one goal and 10 disposals, and without Lewis it was left to Dylan Moore, Jack Ginnivan, and Jack Gunston to serve as Hawthorn's other marking targets.

James Worpel, Moore, Cam Mackenzie and Jai Newcome were among the Hawks best. With Blake Hardwick, Moore, Lloyd Meek, Chol and Newcombe slotting a goal each.

100 years of Hawthorn v Sydney Swans

  • Hawthorn have played Sydney 172 times in its history, with the Hawks taking the win 94 times, with 76 losses and two draws.
  • 14 of the last 21 home and away games between Hawthorn and Sydney have been won by the away team, which includes the Hawks winning 8 times against the Swans in Sydney (6 at the SCG and 2 at Stadium Australia).
  • In the 1987 Qualifying Final against the Swans, Hawthorn had its biggest winning margin in a final, 99 points.
  • Hawthorn’s last home games at both Glenferrie Oval (1973) and Waverley Park (1999) were against the Swans. The Hawks won by 37 points and 85 points respectively.
  • In three consecutive narrow wins at the SCG in 2012, 2016 and 2017, Shaun Burgoyne kicked Hawthorn’s second last goal.

Tickets and Membership

Our Opening Round match at the SCG is an Away game for Hawthorn. Interstate members in NSW and ACT have access to this match.

General public access

Tickets remain available for this match, purchase your tickets via Ticketek. (https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=SWANHAWK25)

Member access

Interstate members, use your membership barcode to redeem a $0 ticket for this match via Ticketek (https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=SWANHAWK25) , further details here (https://membership.hawthornfc.com.au/opening-round) and communicated via email.

All other members wishing to attend must purchase a ticket via the general public on-sale; membership cards will not provide access to this game.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Membership Team on (03) 9535 3045 or email membership@hawthornfc.com.au

Getting to the game 

Public Transport

With frequent light rail services and a number of regular bus routes, the best way to get to and from the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is by public transport.

Catch a light rail service to Moore Park on the L2 and/or L3 Randwick Line to get within a short walking distance of the SCG. From Central Railway Station, light rail services leave via Chalmers Street and bring you to the Moore Park stop which is located on Anzac Parade, just south of the SCG.

Walk from Central

It takes around 25-minutes to walk from Central to Moore Park via Devonshire Street and the Albert ‘Tibby’ Cotter walkway.

Car Parking

Public parking is available on event days in the Moore Park precinct ($30 fee per car). Entry for EP2 (Lower Kippax) is via Driver Ave off Moore Park Road. EP3 parking (Showground) is via Driver Avenue off Lang Road.

Find more info on the SCG website.