What impressed Buckley most about Hawthorn’s “remarkably mature performance”

Connor Scanlon • March 11th, 2025 3:31 pm

Nathan Buckley has applauded Hawthorn’s ability to handle rising expectations, calling their Opening Round win over Sydney a “remarkably mature performance”.

The former Collingwood coach had previously questioned whether the Hawks could meet the high standards set for them this year but was impressed with their composed display.

“This is the first evidence we have been able to see of how they’re going to handle that (expectation), and that was exceptionally well,” Buckley told SEN’s Whateley.

For Buckley, the Hawks’ success isn’t just about individual talent but the system they play within for coach Sam Mitchell.

“They’ve added a few who’s… (Tom) Barrass behind the ball, (Josh) Battle behind the ball. But they didn’t rely on the who last year, and their how is so powerful and so strong,” he said.

Hawthorn weathered a four-goal Sydney surge but wrestled back control of the game, showcasing both resilience and discipline in the second half.

“It was a gritty performance, and they put Sydney in a sleeper hold after Sydney had kicked four in a row,” Buckley noted.

“From about five minutes to go in the third until the end of the game, it was absolutely controlled by Hawthorn.”

Buckley also praised Sydney coach Dean Cox’s tactical moves, but emphasised how Hawthorn’s response highlighted their growth.

“In response to what I thought was really good in-game coaching by Dean Cox… to get Sydney back in that game… It was a remarkably mature performance (by Hawthorn).”

Despite minimal impact from small forwards Nick Watson, Jack Ginnivan and Connor Macdonald, Buckley was impressed by Hawthorn’s alternative avenues to goal.

“A lot of their goals come from their mids,” he said. “A couple come from defenders.”

He highlighted Karl Amon and James Sicily’s ability to push forward and hit the scoreboard when their side needed it most.

“It was just a different type of win,” Buckley concluded.

“It was a gritty win, and I thought Sydney were up for the fight.

“And Hawthorn just put them to sleep.”