When Hawthorn run out onto Adelaide Oval on Friday night for their clash against the in-form Adelaide Crows, key defender Jack Scrimshaw will need to play a vital role in defence against the dangerous trio of Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty if the Hawks wish to keep alive their top-four hopes in 2025.
While the Hawks have recorded a 13-6 record that puts them within reach of a second consecutive finals series, key defender Scrimshaw has battled through adversity this season, which has hindered his ability to recapture the impressive form he displayed in 2024, when he played a pivotal role in the Hawks' finals campaign.
Speaking on the Talking Hawks Podcast ahead of the Hawks' massive Round 21 clash, Scrimshaw, 26, opened up about the challenges this season that have seen him play only nine games for the season.
"It has been frustrating," said Scrimshaw.
"It's been very up and down with a couple of concussions, and I hurt my ankle and my hamstring. So there's just been a few little things that sort of come throughout the year, and it sort of held me back a little bit."
Scrimshaw was selected in the Opening Round team against the Swans before suffering the first of two concussions that have seen him miss a handful of games.
The key defender emphasised the importance of being cautious with concussions and the crucial role that team doctors play in ensuring players are safe to return.
"They're obviously quite extensive these days," said Scrimshaw.
"You know, the doctors do a great job of looking out for you. The first one was quite significant. That one with Josh Battle, where I collided heads with him. I was out cold from that. I tried to recover properly because it's important to look after the mind and the head."
After returning from concussion protocols, Scrimshaw battled soft tissue injuries that saw him relegated to the sidelines as the Hawks won four straight games. He was then forced to go back to the VFL to find form and press for selection.
He credits Box Hill head coach Zane Littlejohn for helping him to regain confidence and find form in the reserves.
"From Zane, it was more of positive messaging and trying to pump me up a little bit, trying to make sure I didn't forget my ability," he said.
"It's important to make sure you focus on your strengths, and that's what I was able to do at Box Hill."
Scrimshaw played an important role in Hawthorn's win against Carlton and was pleased to have good friend, Will Day, back in the team upon his return from a broken navicular bone in his foot.
Day, who missed last year's finals campaign for the Hawks, is a big motivator for the squad and is driving standards as the Hawks look to secure their place in September.
"Not being able to go out there together, that's really hurt him," Scrimshaw said of the star midfielder.
"Through all of the preseason, and the season, you probably saw it in the early parts of the year, with the way he performed.Â
"He's more committed than ever to be able to get himself back in and playing good footy and hopefully playing some finals footy as well."
With Hawthorn sitting just outside the top four on percentage and with their VFL affiliate, Box Hill, currently sitting a game clear at the top of the ladder, competition for spots is well and truly alive at the Hawks.
However, it hasn't caused any issues within the tight-knit squad that Sam Mitchell has at his disposal.
"It is tricky, and I guess that's the thing we've got to realise that it's just part of what we do," said Scrimshaw.
"Everyone's competitive, everyone wants to play AFL footy, and there's that acceptance of this is what it is.Â
"We make sure everyone's ready and everyone's performing because it takes squads to win premierships."
The Round 21 blockbuster clash against the Crows is the Hawks' first challenge in a tricky run home, where they also play fellow premiership contenders Collingwood and Brisbane.
With the clash likely to have big ramifications on their finals aspirations, the Hawks are prepared for the finals-like encounter in front of them, with Scrimshaw ready to play his role in trying to stop the dominant Adelaide forward line.
"We're super excited," Scrimshaw said of Friday night's clash.
“These are games that you want to play. We obviously need to keep winning. It's going to be a hot start. They start quite well, so we're going to be cautious of that and ready to be able to match them."
To hear the full interview with Jack Scrimshaw, click here https://bit.ly/3UzwTFp
