Round One Match Reports
- Millie Dunn
- Apr 9
- 7 min read
Women's Seniors v Oakleigh
In the first game of the Opening Round Triple Header, the Women’s side faced off against Oakleigh. After a slow start, the Hawks were able to find their groove in the second half, but ultimately were outplayed, suffering a 96 point loss. With seven debutants, the Hawks showed positive signs, and with a bit more growth, are sure to come away with more attractive score lines.
Oakleigh got the jump on the Hawks in the first quarter, with repeat inside fifties putting significant pressure on the Hawks defence. The defence, led by impressive half back Mia Mathias, weathered the onslaught as best they could, conceding three goals. Forward opportunities were rare, and an inability to capitalise on the limited opportunity saw Hawthorn enter the first break with a 21 point deficit.
Throughout the second term, Oakleigh maintained their dominance, effectively locking the ball in their forward half, and ending the quarter with a neat four goal return. Midfielders Emmy Johnson and Charlotte Miller remained influential, working in tandem as hard inside midfielders, winning the ball at the source and taking the heat that comes along with it. The game was not without drama; with a decent level of heat and feeling between the two sides adding to the frenetic energy of the game. The Hawks went into halftime down by 47 points.
After a half-time rev-up from Coach Aaron Miller, the Hawks were able to string together some impressive passages of play, but weren’t able to apply any scoreboard pressure to the opposition. Lifting their intensity, the Hawks applied significant tackling pressure and ensured that Oakleigh earnt every footy they won. New recruit Meg Parker was influential, asserting herself physically on each contest. Helena Proimos was also integral in the ruck, with a daunting task placed before her.
The Hawks maintained their pressure for the final quarter, with increased defensive efforts as Oakleigh continued to control play. Lilly Hutchinson played all over the field, cementing herself as a true utility; her marking, ruck work, and positive mindset saw her become an important force for the Hawks, inspiring her teammates through her efforts. While Oakleigh managed to pile on a further three goals, the Hawks certainly played their best quarter of the match.
Despite the significant deficit, the Hawks will, as always, look for the positives; seven successful debuts, players shining in new roles, flowing sections of play. With a little bit of polish and development, the Hawks will be ready to soar this year.
HAWTHORN
0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 (1)
OAKLEIGH
3.4 7.6 11.9 14.13 (97)
BEST M.Parker, C. Miller, L Hutchinson, E. Johnson, M. Mathias, H. Proimos
Men's Thirds v Marcellin
Marking a very special milestone, the Hawks faced Old Trinity under the lights on Saturday night. As Hawks legend Phil Avery took to the field to play his 329th game, he surpassed the previous club games record set by the late Dan Lauletta. Unfortunately, this festival was not enough to get the Hawks over the line, suffering a 77 point loss.
Old Trinity started quickly, kicking four goals in the opening term to Hawthorn’s one. Will Sadler across the half back line was influential, working hard at the contest and as an intercept defender. With the ball living in Hawthorn’s defensive fifty, the Hawks defence had plenty of the ball, working overtime to stem Old Trinity’s scoring.
While the Hawks struggled to hit the scoreboard, Old Trinity continued to cause headaches for the defence, adding a further three goals throughout the second term. Hawthorn’s wings, Owen Dumsday and Magnus Avery, were influential, their added pace and grit important in applying pressure on the opposition and delivering the ball into Hawthorn’s forward half. The Hawks went into the main break down by 46 points.
Throughout the third term, captain Aaron Downie was influential out of the middle, also adding a major to his name. Downie led by example, as the Hawks attacked the contest with renewed vigor, keeping Old Trinity goalless for the quarter. It was a quarter made for captains, it seems, as vice captain Jono Downie was also impressive across the half forward line, delivering the ball into the forwards with finesse. The Hawks outscored their opposition in this term, ready for the final term.
In the final quarter, record breaker Phil Avery was able to have his milestone moment, kicking a goal after an impressive contested mark. Serge Moussi was his usual impressive self, playing his role all over the ground and finishing the match with a major to his name.
Despite the significant deficit, the Hawks will be pleased with their first hit out; which was, as always, a chance to test the waters, find areas of improvement, and get back into the swing of footy. As the season progresses, we are sure to see impressive wins for the Thirds side.
HAWTHORN
1.1 1.2 2.3 4.4 (28)
OLD TRINITY
4.4 7.12 7.17 14.21 (105)
GOALS S. Moussi, A. Downie, P. Avery, M. Tanis
BEST S. Moussi, A. Downie, O. Dumsday, W. Sadler, J. Downie, M. Avery
Men’s Reserves v MHSOB
Facing off with Melbourne High School Old Boys is no easy task, as Saturday demonstrated. The Men’s Reserves suffered a 93 point defeat at the hands of MHSOB in their first hit out of 2025.
While the game started off on relatively even footing in terms of forward fifty entries, MHSOB were able to capitalise better on their entries, giving them a five goal lead that would set them up to win by a significant margin. Hawks co-captain Peter Lehman was influential, with his clearances and workrate impressive. The contest remained even throughout the quarter, with only MHSOB’s superior ability to convert separating the two teams.
MHSOB took off in the second term, piling on six goals to put victory firmly outside of Hawthorn’s grasp. Half forwards Chris Goldstraw and Will Molloy were impressive, providing both a target and a cool head to the Hawks forward line, with Molloy finishing the match with a major to his name. While MHSOB owned the footy in this term, the Hawks still worked hard around the contest and pressured the opposition, going into the halftime break 58 points down.
The third term was easily Hawthorn’s best for the match. Winning the clearances and forcing turnovers all over the ground, the Hawks managed to hold what was clearly a quality opposition to just two goals. The defenders shone in this quarter, with Daniel Carroll-Hughes and Ben Stefani serving as dominant forces; their pressure and tackling to thank for a significant amount of turnovers. The team’s communication was also impressive throughout the third quarter, elevating the team’s flow and workrate.
MHSOB put their foot to the floor in the final term, hammering home five more goals to cinch a convincing victory. Dan Quattro was important for the Hawks, playing a pivotal role all over the ground. Despite the difficult scoreline, the Hawks fought right up until the final siren, refusing to roll over and making sure MHSOB had to work hard for every touch they got.
Reflecting on the game, coach Tim Chapman noted that a disrupted preseason and the integration of debutants was always going to shake the side up, however, he remained confident that when the side fostered their connections to each other, there would be plenty of upsides throughout the year.
HAWTHORN
1.2 3.4 3.6 5.8 (38)
MHSOB
6.2 12.8 14.12 19.17(131)
GOALS W. Malloy (2), E. Tran, A. Bongart, M. Zavarella
BEST W. Molloy, D. Carroll-Hughes, B. Stefani, D. Quattro, C. Goldstraw, P. Lehman
Men's Seniors v MHSOB
The Hawks faced a formidable opponent in their first game of the year, resulting in a fiery contest that was only decided by four points. The Hawks were able to secure the win to put themselves on the winner’s list in Round One.
The whole game was close, with both sides playing with a passion that at times threatened to boil over. Forward line heavyweight Jack Kenny was his usual impressive self, starring with three majors for the match and a number of contested marks. With the pressure from both sides intense, the Hawks did well to sneak a single point lead into quarter time.
MHSOB wrestled back a modicum of control in the second term, outscoring the Hawks by a single goal. James Fouracre and Ethan McLaren were both integral in the middle, roving each stoppage and spreading the ball out with pace and finesse. The Hawks were tough across the ground, their pressure elite and their ability to switch the ball from defence to attack with speed and precision quickly becoming an important factor in the game. Despite this, the Hawks went onto the main break down by a goal.
The game continued to be an arm wrestle, with both sides able to limit the other’s scoring impact. Despite more opportunities, the Hawks were unable to convert their ownership of the ball into scoreboard pressure. A timely snap from young gun Tom Miller saw the Hawks enter the final break just a single point down, as the tension and ferocity of the contest reached new heights.
Intent on victory, the Hawks dominated the final term, driving home three majors to snatch victory. Full forward Eamonn Avery was influential, his work not only in the marking contest but also at ground level a standout in the forward line. At the other end of the ground, Wil Fleming was a dominant force across half back, ensuring MHSOB had to fight for each and every ball that found its way in Hawthorn’s defensive half. The Hawks managed to keep MHSOB at bay, securing a four point win.
Starting off the season with a win is always a good sign, and it seems the Hawks are preparing for another impressive season. With quality teams ahead, Hawthorn’s flight path is sure to be an interesting one, complete with turbulence, inclines, and new skies to soar through.
HAWTHORN
3.4 5.8 7.15 11.17 (83)
MHSOB
3.3 6.8 8.10 11.13 (79)
GOALS J. Kenny (3), E. Avery, T Miller, F. Fraser, T. McMaster, W. Fleming, E. McLaren, S. Dicintio, J. Cowland
BEST J. Kenny, W. Fleming, T. Miller, J. Fouracre, E. Avery, E. McLaren