In an enthralling Thursday night clash to start Round 13, the Hawks were able to withstand a strong Bulldogs showing, bouncing back into the winner's circle after three consecutive defeats, with a tough 22-point victory against their fellow premiership rival.
They say a week is a long time in football, and in front of just under 36,000 supporters, the Hawks' effort and determination was on show for all as they pulled out an unlikely victory to take them to 8-5 with a game to go before their mid-season bye.
After a player led review following their shocking 51-point loss to premiership fancy Collingwood in a prime time showing last week, the Hawks out-hunted and outworked the classy Bulldogs outfit in a showing reminiscent of the last time they played in the 2024 elimination final.
Coming in off of a six day break against a Dogs team coming in fresh from a 14 day break after their mid season bye and missing important players including skipper James Sicily, versatile defender Jack Scrimshaw and exciting small forward Nick Watson, the Hawks started the contest full of energy, swarming the contest and pressuring the Bulldogs relentlessly, heading into quarter time with a 24-point lead built on endeavour and a thirst for the contest.
The next three quarters saw the Bulldogs throw everything at the Hawks, who were able to ride the storm, bringing a four-quarter effort that had not been seen this season, holding tough and running out 22-point winners in a game that cements their place in the top eight.
After a poor fortnight in defence, where Hawthorn had recorded tallies of 36 and 38 tackles against the Lions and the Pies respectively, the Hawks put a premium on tackling, recording 82 tackles for the game, with all but one player recording at least one tackle, compared to many in the previous fortnight.
With the loss of two important defenders, Hawthorn went in with a more conventional structure in their backline that allowed them to not only nullify aerial contests but also produce bounce and run off half-back that had been missing for large portions of the season.
The Hawks backline had been criticised over the past fortnight, with the way the defence had structured this season, having added key pillars Josh Battle and Tom Barrass during the off-season in 2024.
The two new recruits to the backline in Battle and Barrass starred last night, keeping dangerous forward Aaron Naughton to nine disposals and goalless, while also nullifying the influence of Rory Lobb when he was thrown forward after half time.
Blake Hardwick, who had spent large portions of the season playing as an undersized key forward, resumed his role down back as a small defender which had seen him in All- Australian contention in previous years, winninng his battle against damaging small forward Rhylee West, who was kept to just 11 touches but more importantly goalless.
For the second time this year, the Hawks forward line looked like it did during Hawthorn's run to the finals in 2024, with 2 key forwards along with veteran Jack Gunston playing as the third tall.
With Hardwick filling the void down back, the task of partnering with key forward Mabior Chol in creating a contest forward was given to young tall Max Ramsden.
In his sixth game, the 202cm forward gave the Hawks a target up the line, taking four marks, while having five score involvements and a goal assist from his nine touches.
With Ramsden creating the contest and drawing a defender, teammate Mabior Chol was able to get dangerous, showing not only his marking prowess but his ability to create havoc with ground balls.
The 28-year-old was damaging throughout the contest, creating two goal assists and kicking four goals for the night, taking his 2025 total to 24 goals with half a season to go.
Against a star-studded Dogs midfield featuring stars Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar and Ed Richards, the Hawks matched it at the coal face with Jai Newcombe and Josh Ward leading the way for the Hawks.
Newcombe had 10 clearances for the night, continuously getting the ball going forward, with just shy of 600 metres gained from his 27 disposals and helping the Hawks to win the territory battle under the Marvel roof, while also kicking an important goal late in the second half to steady the ship for the Hawks before half time.
21-year-old Ward, who is out of contract at the end of the season, showed his immense talent in a superb showing of toughness and composure, recording 28 disposals for the night to go along with four clearances and five tackles.
Sam Butler, in his first AFL game in 418 days, showed his new role as a speedy midfielder can add a new element to a Hawthorn midfield that has struggled for consistency and burst since Will Day's fractured navicular.
Butler, playing in his 20th AFL game and first as a midfielder at senior level, buzzed from contest to contest, amassing 14 disposals, two goal assists and five tackles in a display that will have his confidence soaring.
Last night's victory helped to steady the ship after the Hawks had lost their previous three matches and were in danger of falling outside the top eight.
The Hawks now have an 8 day break until next Friday night's mouth watering clash against Adelaide where tackling pressure, effort and consistency will be on the menu again as Sam Mitchell's chargers look to remind the competition that they will be a threat when the whips are cracking at the pointy end of the season.
