Five players you are big on for 2025

[moginie]

1) Sam Frost.
Omitted from best 22 by so many, he had a career best year last year and is a heart and soul player. Want him to shine.
2) Josh Battle.
So much emphasis has been placed on Barrass, and understandably so, but I think this bloke really gives us so much variety wherever Sam Mitchell chooses to play him.
3) Mabior Chol.
Gave us some real highlights last year and can improve this year.
4) Will Day.
An unimpeded preseason and we'll see the very best of him. He's a star.
5) Conner Macdonald.
Love him. Has been great to watch in the last three seasons. Now it's time for him to ratchet it up another level and be the dangerous weapon that no one can easily match up on.

 

[becalm]

Ramsden
Ginnivan
Weddle
Chol
Lewis

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Oh the thread asks to predict 5 players that will have big years. I listed 5 players I'm think might jump up a gear. Slight difference.

I'm very interested in how Ginnivan, Frost, Scrimshaw, CJ, Chol and Nash progress this year. Not in a 'I predict they'll be awesome" but more in a real curiosity to see how their seasons pan out. Cos they could all literally be anything from amazing to on the fringe depending how others progress.

 

[MrBeefSeven]

THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH

Weds to kick 5 goals in a game from the wing

Mitchy Lewis to average 3gls/game upon return

Josh Ward to earn a consistent best 22 spot

The Wiz to light it up and kick the winning goal...TWICE

and for good measure Punky and Gunners to turn back the clock...on GRAND FINAL DAY

 

[fairdinks]

I think there's going to be a lot of players putting in career best years from the generally accepted best 22. Figured I'd mention a few of the less talked abouts who might surprise.

I agree. We are building something special at the hawks and the players will be busting a gut to be part of that.

Fringe players pushing first 22 players will drive the side forward IMO.

 

[Yardie]

Zane Littlejohn - How will he handle all the players rotating through Box Hill?
Adrian Hickmott - How will he fit everyone into the forward line?
Kade Simpson - How will he fit everyone into the back line?
David Hale - How will he fit everyone into the midfield?

And finally,

Sam Mitchell - How will he fit everyone into the best 22?

 

[cryptor]

Special call out to Dylan Moore who hasn't really been mentioned yet. At 25 he is still just entering into his prime years and made the AA team off the back of glandular fever in preseason. Probably one of our most driven players. Can't see him not improving again with an uninterrupted preseason.

 

[Dewnior]

1. Scrimshaw - the additions of B1 & B2 will free him up to play his natural game. If he remains fit and focused a PCM beckons.

2. Frenchie - this bloke is all class and one day will become a taller version of Sam.

3. Amon - see Scrimshaw above

4. Finn - if reports of his preseason to date are accurate, his versatility will become a massive asset for this squad.

5. Ward - will be hurting a little as he didn't hit the lofty targets he set himself last season. I have no doubt he will pick himself up, dust himself off and go again.

 

[Hawked Wings]

1. Wiz - Going to make backlines look silly
2. MacDonald - Better every year and people are sleeping on him. 28 goals, averaging 17 disposals in 2024. I expect that to get up to 1.5 goals/ 20 disposals a game and that will be in elite company.
3. Weddle - Not sure what to expect, will depend on where he plays but could be absolutely anything.
4. Barrass - Will change our whole backline. If he had been playing in Melbourne his whole career then he’d be spoken about a lot more. A real leader and great person off the field, such a big get.
5. Injury Free Day - Enough said

God I’m pumped

 

[Ka Norkers]

Sicily
Newcombe
Day
Ginnivan
Worpel
I'm big on these guys, if all remain injury free they will be pivotal for the Hawks in 2025.
I'm expecting Weddle, Mackenzie, Ward, Meek and d'Ambrosio to further improve, and become regular stars in the side.
I'm expecting Amon, Scrimshaw, Impey, Moore and Macdonald to maintain their very high standards, and play to their very high level of 2024.

 

[grumbleguts]

I'm thinking a) this is impossible and b) FIVE???? WTF?

So I'm going to do two lists:

List 1: 5 players who I think will surpass themselves in a big way this season
-------------
Cam McKenzie: time to show he is elite, too good for VFL and should be a lock
Sam Frost: freed up to be a tall attacking defender who is quicker than whomever he is on.
Sam Butler: Broke his leg, just when he was coming of age. as worked hard to get back to that point now to surpass himself
Blake Hardwick: with our stacked backline and his nouse for how small forward opponents work he may be let loose in our already insane fleet of small forwards and offer a point of difference.
James Blanck: I'm putting him here, because he did a knee and while his back was turned Hawthorn bought an upgrade.

List 2: 5 players who will surpass the league standard.
--------------
Jai Newcombe: can take out an entire opposition midfield by bending over and picking up the ball.
Wil Day: Showed Jai Newcombe how to take out an entire opposition midfield by bending over and picking up the ball.
James Sicily: Freed up to play the 2023 game vs St Kilda every week.
Nick Watson: Nick Watson but with a season under his belt.
Connor MacDonald: So much poise now after a few seasons at the highest level.

Special mentions to
Jasper Scaife: put him on the wing and let him dob them from there.
Josh Weddle: how the hell did I forget him?

 

[fairdinks]

great thread.
Going on how many of our players have made the lists of having "a big year in 2025" it really does reflect how well the rebuild has built on class, flexibility and 'special traits'.

Everyone sees it a bit differently and if we are 80% correct across the bigfooty posters, expect the Hawks to have a big year in 2025.
Loving the vibe.

 

[rei154]

It's so exciting that we're at a point in our development where this is a genuinely hard task. I'll do five I'm big on and five I'm worried for:

Big on
Scaife: I think this kid will get the call up and will kick multiple goals. He might have a chance to debut early in the season depending on how they want to manage Calsh, and with Lewis out of the side I think Scaife could have a real presence. Either way I can see him having a massive season in the VFL
McCabe/Serong/Mraz: I think this is cheating, but I'm going to refer to them as a defensive unit. All three are serious talents imo and will be smashing the door down in the VFL- our challenge is to try and keep all over them over the coming years whilst Frost, Sic, Barrass, Battle, and Scrimma take charge in the seniors.
Finn: I think Finn will take on a different role this year. I'm confident of his ability at the level and I think this is the year he cements himself in the best 23 comfortably. Not saying that he won't do his time in the VFL, I can see him, Ward and Frenchy all spending time there even though I think they're all AFL standard and them some.
Dear: I think Dear is going to be targeted aggressively by other teams this year. He has shown that he has intense mongrel and that he's a bigger threat than his frame suggests. I think come the end of the season he is going to be viewed as top 3 most promising KPF's in the AFL.
Worpel: I don't think he gets enough love or credit still. Worps sets the tone in a lot of ways and I think is now mature enough physically and mentally to have an elite year. People are touting Day, Newc, Frenchy and Ward to explode- all of which is understandable- but I don't think they can without Worps and Nash doing their part. Competition for midfield minutes is going to be extreme this season!

Worried for
Lewis: I love everything about the guy, but I'm concerned about his body and how he will hold up when he returns. My big fear is him coming back and having some kind of soft-tissue injury
Cj: Ditto the above. His speed and aerobic ability are his main attributes- I just hope they are maintainable through his recent run of injury and I'm not super confident that they are...
Gunston/Breust: I cannot see them both getting more than 10 games each. I wonder if there'll be a transitional period where they spend more time on the bench as coaches than players?
Ramsden: I'm a big fan of Ramma, but I'm concerned about how he's going to fit in with our current ruck/KPF mix. He's a talent, and he has size, I just hope we can keep him come years end
HH: I think Hus has a claim at being best 22. The problem is, there are arguably 8/9 midfielders ahead of him. I'd argue he's competing with Worps and Nash more than anyone else, but they are both far more seasoned as it stands and are arguably two of our most physically resilient players.

 

[TylerDurden]

CMac31.

Could be anything.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

I'm thinking a) this is impossible and b) FIVE???? WTF?

So I'm going to do two lists:

List 1: 5 players who I think will surpass themselves in a big way this season
-------------
Cam McKenzie: time to show he is elite, too good for VFL and should be a lock
Sam Frost: freed up to be a tall attacking defender who is quicker than whomever he is on.
Sam Butler: Broke his leg, just when he was coming of age. as worked hard to get back to that point now to surpass himself
Blake Hardwick: with our stacked backline and his nouse for how small forward opponents work he may be let loose in our already insane fleet of small forwards and offer a point of difference.
James Blanck: I'm putting him here, because he did a knee and while his back was turned Hawthorn bought an upgrade.

List 2: 5 players who will surpass the league standard.
--------------
Jai Newcombe: can take out an entire opposition midfield by bending over and picking up the ball.
Wil Day: Showed Jai Newcombe how to take out an entire opposition midfield by bending over and picking up the ball.
James Sicily: Freed up to play the 2023 game vs St Kilda every week.
Nick Watson: Nick Watson but with a season under his belt.
Connor MacDonald: So much poise now after a few seasons at the highest level.

Special mentions to
Jasper Scaife: put him on the wing and let him dob them from there.
Josh Weddle: how the hell did I forget him?

If I'd made it more than five it would have been too easy

 

[mknaven]

Five I will be keeping an eye on this year:
Croc.
Massimo.
Dear.
Chol.
Scrimshaw.

I'll be stoked if the above can replicate / improve on last season.

Five I am big on:
Newk. Had a poor start last season - I don't think that'll happen in '25.
Worpel. Will slide under oppo's radar a bit and continue to shine.
Watto. Was just warming up last season.
Frost. Will again demonstrate what a key part of our defence he is.
Ginni.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

The correct answers for this thread if it was started before season 2024:

1. Jai Newcombe
2. Dylan Moore
3. Calsher Dear
4. Nick Watson
5. Lloyd Meek