Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
“Bulletproof”: The gamble that has paid off for Hawthorn
Andrew Slevison • September 8th, 2025 10:01 am
Hawthorn’s defence was one of the key factors in the club’s stirring Elimination Final win over GWS on Saturday.
The Giants had 72 inside 50s at ENGIE Stadium but the Hawks were able to restrict them to a total of 13.10.(88), while kicking 16.11.(107) from 56 of their own entries.
At the centre of their defensive strength is prized off-season recruits Josh Battle and Tom Barrass in particular, while captain James Sicily and the criminally underrated Blake Hardwick both performed brilliantly.
David King was extremely complimentary, suggesting the Hawks’ recruiting gamble had paid off thus far.
As a result, King believes Sam Mitchell’s side will be a formidable opponent for the Adelaide Crows in Friday night’s Semi Final at the Adelaide Oval.
“It was a fascinating game,” King said on SEN’s Fireball.
“(Adam) Kingsley v (Sam) Mitchell had more say than we give it credit for.
“The Hawks’ back six - and I know they had some vulnerable moments - but they just look bulletproof.
“The gamble to get Battle and Barrass and to have that return immediately. When (Jack) Scrimshaw is in good form and Sicily, Hardwick was terrific.
“Gee, they’re going to be hard to roll for the Adelaide Crows next week.”
Co-host Kane Cornes felt the Hawks were destined to go down as the Giants surged in the third quarter.
“They looked gone,” he said.
“The Giants kicked the first goal of the last quarter, all the momentum, with the wind - I thought they (the Hawks) were done.”
He believes that the Hawks will match up well against the Crows, particularly through the middle where Matthew Nicks’ side lacks genuine game-breakers.
“That’s why it’s a better matchup for Hawthorn because Adelaide’s midfield without (Izak) Rankine… last time these two teams met it was Rankine’s couple of minutes that changed the game on Hardwick,” he continued.
“Who is going to be that spark through Adelaide’s midfield?
“Hawthorn are so potent forward of the ball, they’re so rock solid behind the ball. Their one vulnerability is their midfield and the Giants kicked 10 goals from stoppage, so that was on display. Who is Adelaide’s Tom Green, Josh Kelly and Finn Callaghan who can change the game?
“(Jordan) Dawson is there, but is (Jake) Soligo going to do it? Wouldn’t have thought so. (James) Peatling? Not sure.
“I think it’s a good matchup for the Hawks in the midfield.”
The cut-throat Semi Final takes place this Friday night from 7:40pm when the Crows host the Hawks in Adelaide.
