Hawthorn returned from their off-season break ready to attack the pre-season with renewed determination on Monday, eager to make amends for their preliminary final exit in the 2025 finals series.
After departing their training base of nearly two decades at Waverley Park in late October, the team trained at their new home — the state-of-the-art Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley — with enthusiasm evident throughout the football club.
Although only first-to-fourth-year players were required to attend the opening session, however a senior cohort, led by captain James Sicily and Dylan Moore, ensured almost the entire playing group was present.
Their commitment demonstrated the Hawks' determination to close the gap on reigning back-to-back premiers Brisbane after successive September exits.
Running dominated the opening session as Hawthorn prioritised building a strong fitness and endurance base. This focus will prove vital in 2026 when the last disposal rule takes effect, minimising stoppages and accelerating the game's tempo.
The new draftees made strong first impressions during their inaugural session in brown and gold, justifying the club's investment over the two-hour-plus training block.
Jack Dalton, selected with Pick 34 in the 2025 AFL National Draft, claimed the Hawks' first six-minute time trial, surpassing renowned endurance athletes Josh Weddle, Josh Ward, and Finn Maginness — offering fans a tantalising glimpse of his capabilities.
Rookie Draft pick Ollie Greeves looked composed during full-field drills, where his precise kicking and field vision stood out as he consistently selected the right option.
Meanwhile, key forward Aidan Schubert, the Hawks' second selection at Pick 23, showcased impressive agility for a tall, cleanly gathering ground balls and navigating through traffic during contested drills.
While the young forward will need to develop his frame, his work ethic and ground-level ability should excite Hawks supporters.
Nick Watson returned to pre-season training in impressive form, especially during the running elements of the session, as he aims to elevate his game in 2026.
Having kicked 61 goals from 43 career games, Watson is seeking increased midfield opportunities where his explosiveness around the ball could provide an X-factor.
The influential duo of Maginness and Will Day, who both missed the Hawks' 2025 finals campaign due to a lacerated kidney and fractured navicular respectively, trained well as they look to put their injury struggles behind them and become pivotal contributors to the Hawks' 2026 premiership push.
Having missed out on star midfielder Zach Merrett during the 2025 trade period, head coach Sam Mitchell and midfield coach David Hale would have been encouraged by the opening-day performances of Ward and Connor Macdonald
Ward and Macdonald featured strongly during the time trial running and both did extra work on stoppages post-training, looking to refine and build upon their contested work in close.
The young guns will be vying for increased midfield time as the Hawks look to offset the departure of experienced midfielder James Worpel to Geelong and, more critically, improve their efficiency at clearances and stoppages — a significant weakness throughout the past season.
