2025 Season Preview

The mornings are cold, Easter is nearly upon us, and the goal posts are back up at Rathies. That can mean only one thing… footy’s back!

After a long break and a committed preseason, the siren will sound at 9:20am this Saturday morning, heralding in Round One - a milestone quadruple header - and the 2025 season.

All four teams will open their season at the Nest this weekend, so I now have the distinct pleasure (as the Nest's resident rambling writer) of giving you the rundown on the coming season. 

Men’s program

Wil Fleming and Steve Dicintio will captain the men’s Senior side, supported by Jack Kenny, Theo Ktenas and Luke McLeod as vice captains, completing the already impressive leadership group. After a steady 2024 campaign, the Hawks will be looking to make some waves in 2025, and this group will lead from the front. Mark “Muzz” Murray will once again take up the mantle of Head Coach, supported this season by Zac Jardine and Chamath “Chama” Jayaweera. Murray’s coaching has seen the senior side play in a Grand Final, and climb from Division Three to Division Two for the 2024 season, maintaining their position in that division for the first time in the club’s history. With such a potent coaching staff, 2025 is set to be another impressive year for the men’s Senior side. 

The men’s Reserves side will be led by Matt Hannett and Peter Lehman as co captains, and Tim Chapman has returned as coach once more. The Reserves also enjoyed a stable 2024 campaign, and now having settled comfortably into their new home in Division Two, will look to string together more impressive runs of form and assert themselves as genuine competitors in the league. With a shot at September on the cards, you can rest assured that the Reserves side is ready to put everything they have into their campaign this year.

The Thirds side, in their second ever season, will be captained by Aaron Downie, joined by his brother Jono Downie serving as vice captain. Dynamic coaching duo Corey Chenoweth and Rick Gheller will return to steer the helm this season, looking to continue developing the Thirds side and chasing glory in Division Four.

Women’s program

The women’s side will enjoy their second season under the captaincy of Tessa Bodin, this season joined by Charlotte Miller as vice captain and Jamie Hewitt and Mia Mathias rounding out the leadership group as deputies. All four players are important on-field and off-field leaders for the side, and with their support, the women’s side is sure to soar to new heights. Aaron Miller has returned to coach for a second season, joined once again by Assistant Coach Steve Petterson. After a successful rebuilding year in 2024, the women’s side will look to shake things up this season. Bolstered by some impressive new additions and the developed skills of returning players, the Hawks are chasing new heights and new wins.

... prepare for takeoff!