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Trade talk: Why Hawthorn should be "nervous" over selection headache
Jaiden Sciberras • July 7th, 2025 6:45 pm
With seven games remaining in 2025, Hawthorn may face the best issue in football, with a selection squeeze set to potentially alter their already-firing forward half.
Following Round 17’s 20-point win over St Kilda, the Hawks sit in fifth place, out of the top four on percentage and averaging the sixth most goals per game in the competition.
Currently the only side with two players inside the top 10 of the Coleman Medal race (Jack Gunston with 38 goals, Mabior Chol with 32), Hawthorn have certainly nailed down their front half balance, previously scrutinised for its lack of size.
However, the run home may prove difficult for selectors, with a duo of key forwards fit and firing at VFL level.
Both Mitch Lewis and Calsher Dear shared the arc with full game time for the first time this season, putting on performances more than worthy of a shot at senior selection.
Within Box Hill’s 44-point win over Sandringham, Dear finished with 20 disposals, six tackles and three goals from six scoring shots, while Lewis amounted 17 disposals, taking eight marks and kicking three goals from five scoring shots – a clinic from a future Hawthorn forward half duo.
Given their level of performance, AFL.com.au journalist and SEN regular Josh Gabelich believes there may be a headache at the selection table in the coming weeks.
“Sam Mitchell has now got five key forwards to pick from,” Gabelich told SEN Fireball.
“The two that are out of the 23 right now look ready. Calsher Dear in particular he starred again with three goals and 18 touches after 12 marks last week.
“But the big one is Mitch Lewis. First full game back from an ACL, second game back in the VFL, kicked three, took eight marks, moved really, really well.
“The thought had been, give him two games in the VFL and bring him back in for this game against Fremantle in Perth, so a big watch on Mitch Lewis to see whether he can come back in for the first time in 12 months.”
Despite his return to the senior side being reportedly immanent, SEN’s Kane Cornes believes it might be a struggle for Lewis to squeeze back into a high-functioning Hawthorn forward line.
With the likes of Chol and Gunston in top form, Cornes believes the Hawks’ selection dilemma may be a cause for concern, as a number of clubs continue to scour the market for key forward commodities.
“I like my man (Max) Ramsden, and Chol, you’re not taking his spot, and Gunston’s the hottest forward in the comp right now,” Cornes said.
“I would be nervous from a list management point of view that one of those are vulnerable. It’s not going to be Gunston, but one of Dear and/or Mitch Lewis.
“Lewis is the one that I’d be going really hard for. Forget Oscar Allen, (he’s) nice, but Mitch Lewis... I would give him a big deal if I’m Brisbane, or a club that needs a key forward. Melbourne (also).
“It’s going to be tough for him to get a game at Hawthorn, because you’ve got Dear who’s a father/son, you’ve got Chol.
“At his best, he is (a better player than Dear and Chol). I think there would be a club that could give him a big offer and tempt him to go.”
12 months on from his ACL injury, Lewis will look to return to full flight, eyeing off his return against the Dockers in a top nine clash this Saturday night.
