Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Josh Ward. Extends to 2025!

[Dewyyyyy]

He had a good game. It was his most tackles ever by a big margin.

My impression of the game was he was still fairly passive. The game just played on his terms. There was some moments when he does some nice things but then he goes straight back to being passive.

I think someone else said it but I feel like he doesn’t play on instincts enough and overthinks the game, which is why it looks like he’s being passive.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

I still have my doubts but can't help but compare him to Darcy Parish. Very similar player at almost the same pick. Parish really struggled for consistency in his first 4-5 years until it all finally clicked. Think Parish's best is Ward's potential ceiling

Maybe their career trajectory but they’re not comparable as players.

 

[Mississippi]

Dewyyy
Settle petal.

Please don’t continue this Ward love fest between now and next March.

Haven’t we done the “over thinking” “lacking confidence” stuff to death over the last year?

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Dewyyy
Settle petal.

Please don’t continue this Ward love fest between now and next March.

Haven’t we done the “over thinking” “lacking confidence” stuff to death over the last year?

Not the only person saying it. It’s still pretty clear to me an issue of between the ears rather than a physical or talent problem.

Relax

 

[Gaston]

His football ability isn't his issue, more his Spotify play list.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

His football ability isn't his issue, more his Spotify play list.

 

[threesixpio]

Ward means guard in old English. I think. That’s all I’ve got

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Ward means guard in old English. I think. That’s all I’ve got

 

[SSSSSS]

Ward means guard in old English. I think. That’s all I’ve got

Threesixpio the off-season GOAT.

 

[HAWKS2016]

Any updates on Josh from this pre-season?

 

[eldorado]

Any updates on Josh from this pre-season?

Hasn't really trained with the main group since they got back due to illness. I think he should be in full training this week.

 

[toomanysquibs]

Hasn't really trained with the main group since they got back due to illness. I think he should be in full training this week.

True to his name Ward is guarding the club against illness!!!!

Finals 2024 version of Josh has got me chomping at the bit to raise several points about the psychological component of the AFl.

Like trying to hold back a damn wall that's about to break.

If he kicks a footy, can someone at least take a picture?

 

[The Chad and I]

True to his name Ward is guarding the club against illness!!!!

Finals 2024 version of Josh has got me chomping at the bit to raise several points about the psychological component of the AFl.

Like trying to hold back a damn wall that's about to break.

If he kicks a footy, can someone at least take a picture?

That finals performance is what he can do most weeks if he was played regularly on the ball.

people too hasty writing off or criticising young players.

 

[H00t]

That finals performance is what he can do most weeks if he was played regularly on the ball.

people too hasty writing off or criticising young players.

No one’s written him off. He just needs to bring that intensity and ability he showed in that first final to every game he plays.

As yet he hasn’t been able to get that sort of consistency which is probably why he’s found himself on the outer. Somewhat showcased by his down second final against Port.

 

[The Chad and I]

No one’s written him off. He just needs to bring that intensity and ability he showed in that first final to every game he plays.

As yet he hasn’t been able to get that sort of consistency which is probably why he’s found himself on the outer. Somewhat showcased by his down second final against Port.

1. Provably false in many match day and post match threads.

2. Ward needs consistent midfield time to show consistent form. He could also do that on the wing, but we have better/mature options there too. What he can't do is play well while rotating a bit on the flanks, a bit on the wing, and barely on the ball. Normal for a young player, but he seems to struggle with it more than most.

 

[threesixpio]

That finals performance is what he can do most weeks if he was played regularly on the ball.

people too hasty writing off or criticising young players.

Oh the Josh Ward write offs have been bonkers. Has all the hallmarks of not only being a great player but a great leader at the club. Has baffled me. Just have a bit of patience ffs

 

[Mississippi]

That finals performance is what he can do most weeks if he was played regularly on the ball.

people too hasty writing off or criticising young players.

Silly post. Criticism of Ward has been fair because he’s lacked consistency (and you’ve admitted that yourself) - that’s why the coaches dropped him 3 times last year to Box Hill. He’s been in the system for 3 years and has certainly not come on as the coaches would have hoped. He’s been overtaken by a younger player like Can Mackenzie so it’s fair to level those comments against him.

Talking about his consistency - his first final against the Bullies was good, but his second was ordinary (he laid one tackle).

And don’t conflate any warranted criticism or misgivings about Josh with “writing off or criticising young players”. Who are the young players and who’s criticising them? All I see at the moment is a massive optimism and talking up of our young players!

 

[Ka Norkers]

Josh is one of the reasons they recruited Barrass, giving up a first round pick for the late 20's KPD.
Ward, HH, Morrison, Mackenzie and Maginness are all AFL-level players who mostly can't get a look in. Using a first round pick, likely to add another midfielder to the list, just isn't necessary ATM.
This is the year for Ward, he will need to establish himself in the mid-field rotations or otherwise he will be looking elsewhere in 2026. His problem is that the established Hawks midfield at present are all young, with plently of football in front of them. Same goes for HH and Maginness (and Sammy Butler in a different category)

 

[JZedd]

Josh is one of the reasons they recruited Barrass, giving up a first round pick for the late 20's KPD.
Ward, HH, Morrison, Mackenzie and Maginness are all AFL-level players who mostly can't get a look in. Using a first round pick, likely to add another midfielder to the list, just isn't necessary ATM.
This is the year for Ward, he will need to establish himself in the mid-field rotations or otherwise he will be looking elsewhere in 2026. His problem is that the established Hawks midfield at present are all young, with plently of football in front of them. Same goes for HH and Maginness (and Sammy Butler in a different category)

It would be a shock to me if Ward was delisted /traded. He needs to settle down to one main position. Then, with more confidence, he can part time slot into other positions. No one should really expect him to master various positions on the ground straight away.
We recruited him as a midfielder. The youngster has shown the ability to be an excellent midfielder.
It's also possible that Day and Newk are going to spend more time up fwd, which will give Ward more time in the middle. (at various stages of the match). Even to be thinking that he may be gone at end of 2025 is staggering in my view. I'm thinking, McKenzie AND Ward, NOT McKenzie OR Ward.

 

[Ka Norkers]

Ward is certainly an AFL level player, he knows that and the club knows that.
I'd say he is in pretty much the same position as Josh Kennedy was all those years ago, a young player with a lot of potential sitting in the sidelines watching a star midfield at work. If he isn't a regular, you can be certain other clubs will come knocking, and nobody could blame him for looking elsewhere for better opportunities.
BTW, delisted? There is zero chance of that (about as much chance as a fit Frost not being selected for opening round)

Anyway, hopefully the problem will solve itself, and he will muscle his way in this year.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I believe that Ward could and should become a good midfielder at AFL level. We may have been witnessing it consistently last season, but a few things went against him:

1) Worpel getting back to his best, after years of mediocre play
2) Day fully transitioning into a midfielder and looking elite
3) Nash developed into a unique AFL level midfielder

I think it's fair to say that even two years ago we had question marks on the above three things happening independently. We certainly did at the time of drafting Ward. Back then we probably had question marks over how much Newcombe would develop too.

The issue for Ward, but the positive for the club, is that we had all three best case scenarios happen with Worpel, Nash and Day - and Ward has been starved of opportunities as a result. It's been the best case scenario in relation to the development of Newcombe too.

Now we have Mackenzie ready to explode, and he has all the qualities to become a standout elite midfielder.

Ward is going to have to show he can play other roles and be a rotational midfielder. He's certainly got the skills to perform in a variety of roles, so this is the season he's going to show it.

 

[H00t]

1. Provably false in many match day and post match threads.

2. Ward needs consistent midfield time to show consistent form. He could also do that on the wing, but we have better/mature options there too. What he can't do is play well while rotating a bit on the flanks, a bit on the wing, and barely on the ball. Normal for a young player, but he seems to struggle with it more than most.

People have been questioning his performances because he hasn’t been performing to expectations or even previous form. Also match day threads have a lot of frustration in them.

If Ward wants midfield time he has to earn it and perform when placed in the middle. The team is now in the mode of trying to win flags. With everyone fit Ward won’t just be given time to develop especially if he’s not performing.

It’s up to him to grab the opportunities he’s given and make the most of them. If he does the right things that the coaches are looking for he will get games. If he’s not ticking the boxes he will likely find himself in the VFL again.

 

[TheFourPillars]

Ward has also had two interrupted pre seasons prior to this one. Going too hard for his own good.

He has a good turn of speed and I have seen him use it needs the confidence and continuity. He will be in the middle for round 1 but like many others may miss out if we stay healthy touch wood

 

[CHUBBSS]

Ward has also had two interrupted pre seasons prior to this one. Going too hard for his own good.

He has a good turn of speed and I have seen him use it needs the confidence and continuity. He will be in the middle for round 1 but like many others may miss out if we stay healthy touch wood

What were the injuries again? His always looked weak in his core to me, hopefully this is the season he can play a bit harder

 

[TheFourPillars]

What were the injuries again? His always looked weak in his core to me, hopefully this is the season he can play a bit harder

Very similar to ginni this year