Hawthorn midfielder Josh Ward has given insight into his growth in 2026.
The club's midfield was heavily questioned entering 2026 after failing to land Zach Merrett in last year's off-season, with an apparent lack of depth behind Jai Newcombe, Conor Nash and Will Day.
Yet Day and Nash have not played a single game together, with Day missing the first half of the season and returning the week Nash came out of the side, yet the improvement of Ward and teammate Cam McKenzie has helped the Hawks return to preliminary final weekend in 2026.
After being named Hawthorn's most improved player last year, his statistical output this year has remained similar to last, but the eye test suggests he took another step, regularly performing when it mattered.
Ward has always been known for his running power and plays with intensity, but he has greater verve with his disposal.
"A big thing for me has just been being comfortable with the ball," Ward said on Monday.
"As a junior, that was one of my biggest strengths, and I didn't quite bring that straight away to my AFL career, but I feel like as I've gotten more experienced, I've become more composed and brought back one of my strengths, so that has been a big progression this year and focus area.
"Partly experience, partly confidence and self-belief to realise I'm good enough to play at AFL level and can do that (have been behind the growth)."
Ward last year extended his contract until the end of 2029, with a starring performance in a finals win over Adelaide last year proving he had the acumen to rise to the finals occasion.
He had a quieter game in the qualifying final victory over Fremantle but a significant source of his improvement has been not carrying the past.
"Our club psych Ed Barlow has been massive for me in the last couple of years, being able to move on from mistakes and keep backing myself when I've made errors," Ward said.
"I've always been a bit of a perfectionist and gotten down on myself after a few mistakes, and it's taken me out of the game, so being able to work through that and reset has been a big growth area over the last two years.
"It's helped me a lot being critical of myself and always striving for more, but then at the other end of that it can hinder you as well if that becomes too extreme, so it's always a balancing act."
Ward noted that last year's preliminary final heartbreak against Geelong, the club's first home final under Sam Mitchell, has been an individual motivating factor, and the experience has given them maturity for the 2026 campaign.
"The confidence levels are high. Not too nervous yet; I'm sure that'll come, but at the moment, feeling calm," Ward said.
"Hopefully it's a good week on the track, and we can prepare well. That game against Freo has given us a lot of confidence, and I feel like our best can beat anyone."
