Are Hawthorn ready to return to the top of the AFL table? Yes, according to Six Points co-host Mark Stevens.
The Hawks secured their fourth consecutive victory after dismantling the Western Bulldogs on Saturday at Gather Round, placing them among the early contenders for the 2026 premiership.
"I've seen enough," Stevens said on the Six Points AFL Podcast. "And it's over two years, and five weeks this year, and Hawthorn will win the premiership in 2026.
"It's been building. They should have won it in 2024, they had the momentum. They sort of fluffed it over in Adelaide against Port.
"They are ready. Hawthorn is seasoned. They haven't got a weakness. They've got strong bodies all over the park. Will Day is ready to come back. He'll be back soon ahead of the finals.
"The forward line now looks better. I know (Mabior) Chol is out for the next couple of weeks.
"Right now I think Hawthorn is beautifully placed. I also think they're the best coached team in the competition. Sam Mitchell, the little genius, the way he structured up on the weekend. Most weeks he gets the best out of Hawthorn. He outcoached Chris Scott (on Easter Monday) late in that game.
"I'm on the Hawthorn bandwagon. I have been for a while. I picked them for the flag last year."
The Hawks have been going deeper in the campaign over the past two seasons, reaching a semi-final against Port Adelaide before bowing out in last year's preliminary final to Geelong.
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