Eight days out from their practice match against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, the Hawks hit Bunjil Bangor's for one last match simulation, which doubled as an unofficial intra club match.
With it all to play for in terms of pressing for selection for the practice matches, the Hawks didn't hold back during the eight quarter hit out, showing that they will be at their combative best and ready to fire in their quest for silverware in 2025.
The theme of the day was quick and slick ball movement, with the Hawks' Hokball style set to continue to thrill and delight fans.
The session was a first glimpse of whether a backline of James Sicily, Josh Weddle and Jack Scrimshaw could function without any teething issues with new recruits Josh Battle and Tom Barrass joining the fray.
The Hawks opted to start the match simulation with arguably their strongest backline available, with Weddle, Sicily, Barrass, Battle, Impey and Amon taking up their roles against a star studded forward line including Nick Watson, Jack Ginnivan and Jack Gunston.
The combinations down back looked like they had been smoothed out, with the backline group working together seamlessly in a display that would have brought a smile to backline coach Kade Simpson's face.
Barrass, a premiership player at the West Coast Eagles, showed why Hawthorn entered into a trade to bring him across to Waverley Park, with a dominant display that arguably had him in contention as the stand out of the match simulation.
Where at the Eagles he was often required to be a distributor and a playmaker, as well as being an interceptor and a disruptor, Barrass has been given the simple task to just nullify the opposition key talls.
During the session, he continuously showed his ability to read the ball off the boot and stop Mabior Chol and Max Ramsden from impacting the contest, using his tremendous defensive craft and body positioning.
With Barrass and Battle taking up key posts in the backline, it meant that Josh Weddle was free to use his pace and running capacity to set the turf alight from defence.
In one blistering piece of play, Weddle took off from the backline, before receiving a handball and then kicking the ball inside 50 off of his non preferred foot that landed in the arms of a team mate who slotted the goal truly.
With the extra height and defensive intent of the new recruits, Weddle will become a luxury for Sam Mitchell's team.
The third-year defender's ability to break lines and set up attacking forays from the back will have Hawks fans in awe.
The surprise of the match simulation was seeing the versatility of James Sicily.
The skipper, who was an All-Australian defender in 2023, started the match simulation in the backline, playing his customary role of interceptor and playmaker.
It was then that the skippers magnet was moved around, attending centre clearances and pushing on to a wing in a role that if it pays off, will give the Hawks another attacking avenue in the forward half.
Jack Ginnivan was the most proficient forward on the day, kicking four goals in a confident display that showed he was on track with his pre-season after battling a quad niggle.
Ginnivan's ability to read the bounce of the ball off the deck meant that he was dangerous whenever the ball went into the forward line.
His ability to convert half chances into majors will once again be on show in season 2025.
Unsung midfield bull Conor Nash put in an impressive display that showed why the Hawks were keen to re-sign him last year when he was an unrestricted free agent.
The Irishman confidently took on many would-be tacklers and backed his pace to help break lines and get the ball moving through the middle of the ground.
His work around the stoppages with his hulking frame meant that the likes of Will Day and Cam Mackenzie were free to use their class to get the ball into the forward line with ease and give the forwards the best chance to score.
Veterans Luke Breust and Sam Frost played two quarters of the match simulation as both look to push for selection in Opening Round against the Swans after interrupted pre-seasons.
The most pleasing part for Sam Mitchell and his coaching group would be the fact that there were no injuries out of the season.
During last year's corresponding hitout, the Hawks suffered lengthy injuries to Changkuoth Jiath and James Blanck, that left their finals hopes fading before the start of the season.
With the last of the match simulations wrapped up, Hawks fans can turn their attention to the clashes against the Cats and the Western Bulldogs to see how the pre-season form holds up under competition from fellow premiership fancies.
