Key duo give all in frustrating PF loss… as EIGHT teammates fail — Hawks Player Ratings

Hawthorn’s 2025 season comes to a close with no fairytale end, losing to Geelong by five goals on Friday night to fall short of the last Saturday in September.

A pair of key forwards couldn’t have done much more for Sam Mitchell’s side, but far too many of their teammates had middle-of-the-road games, as well as eight fails come the final siren.

We rate every Hawthorn player out of 10 from their preliminary final vs. Geelong.

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2. MITCH LEWIS

Made the biggest statement he could straight out of the blocks. Launched a monster set shot from outside 50 to kick the first goal of the game, in a stark contrast to his goalless four-disposal game in last week’s semi-final. Had a very nervy switch across defensive 50 only a minute later which nearly undid all his good work early. Missed a gettable set shot that would’ve given the Hawks the first two of the night. Went bang, BANG again in the second quarter to register three goals before the main break. “He took his chances when they presented, some of these goal were outstanding,” Melbourne great Garry Lyon said at half time on Fox Footy. Was deprived of delivery after the main break, but did the best the could with what he could; much like Jack Gunston. 7

3. JAI NEWCOMBE

Unsurprisingly got extra attention given his absurd record in finals, but it didn’t phase him. Tom Atkins rode him even closer in the second term to mostly nullify him, but the 24-year-old still finished the first half with a game-high four clearances. His 20 disposals in the end didn’t have anywhere near the punish they had in the two weeks prior to Friday night, but his contested work was still commendable. 5

4. JARMAN IMPEY

Got undone by a rapid-fire handball from Ollie Dempsey to his direct opponent Tyson Stengle that resulted in a goal not long before half time — hardly through fault of his own. Had a beautiful goal assist that set up teammate Connor Macdonald at a crucial point in the third term. Was thrown deep up forward to try and generate spark not long afterwards with instant success, crumbing a contested pack beautifully. “He’s a wildcard up forward,” Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall said after his major. Let Stengle stream forward for a soccering goal deep in the last quarter which sealed the game for Geelong — in a sour finish to what was otherwise an okay night, despite his unflattering stat line. 5

5. JAMES WORPEL

Was okay without being exceptional to begin with. Brought good tackle pressure as well as three clearances at the main break. Chased down by Gryan Miers coming out of defence in the third quarter, which resulted in a Jeremy Cameron goal straight away amid Geelong’s six unanswered majors. Didn’t use the ball great in what could be his last game as a Hawk. 5

6. JAMES SICILY

A red-hot start with seven disposals to his name in the opening 10 minutes before simmering down. Gave away a free kick to Patrick Dangerfield late in the first quarter that resulted in a goal, although would have been a Shannon Neale mark anyway. Had four intercept marks before the main break, and had plenty of opportunities to use the ball also. Had Tyson Stengle sell him candy before a goal that started the Cats’ rampant run after half time, in a much quieter last 60 minutes. 5

9. CHANGKUOTH JIATH

Started as Hawthorn’s 23rd man, and was subbed on halfway through the third quarter with the game in danger of getting too much for the Hawks. Was fumbly in his first few moments, and was chased down trying to come out of their defensive half. Had a goal assist, but didn’t look threatening at any point. Will he be at the Hawks next season? 2

10. KARL AMON

Had the most disposals of any player on the ground in the first half, and gave the Hawks plenty of run and dash off half back. In fact, had over 20o metres gained more than any other player on the field in the same period. Used the ball well, and finished with 28 disposals and 704 metres gained. Can hold his head high. 7

11. CONOR NASH

Caught Oisin Mullin holding the ball inside forward 50 halfway through the first term, but failed to convert on his left foot from a set shot. Couldn’t have rectified his inaccuracy any better with a set shot not even 10 minutes later to put the Hawks up by 20. Had 10 disposals before the first break, and was dominant at clearance. His tackling pressure inside forward 50 was also prominent, with three before half time. “He’s been huge Nash, he’s had a massive game,” Garry Lyon said during the third stanza. 7

13. DYLAN MOORE

Arguably Hawthorn’s best player in the first quarter, and made Tom Stewart pay early going the other way before his concussion. “Moore is the one creating some issues. here He’s the half-forward that leaving Tom Stewart, and getting up the ground and being used on the way through,” Garry Lyon said in the first term. Like many Hawks, was well-held to just two disposals in the second stanza. Was burned hard by Cat Shaun Mannagh at stoppage on the stroke of three-quarter time, and paid the full price. Kicked a goal halfway through the final term with an Angus Monfries-like bounce off a long-range snap. 7

14. JACK SCRIMSHAW

Had plenty of ball early, but didn’t use it amazingly in the first half. Laid a crucial tackle inside defensive 50 halfway through the third term that saved a Geelong shot on goal from distance. Didn’t let his mistakes by foot in the first half deter his attacking nature in the second, still trying to take the ball through the middle of the ground. 5

15. BLAKE HARDWICK

Probably allowed direct opponent Brad Close a bit too much of the ball in the first half. Was made to pay dearly when Close was left alone at a stoppage inside Geelong’s forward 50, opting to stay closer to goal which allowed the Cat to set up a Holmes goal. Learned the hard way again in brutal fashion just before three-quarter time, as Jeremy Cameron blitzed through a forward 50 stoppage and goaled after being forced to match up on him for just a split second. Feels harsh to grade him low given he used the ball well enough and intercepted eight times, but wasn’t at his best in the most crucial of moments. 4

16. MASSIMO D’AMBROSIO

Was tasked with a daunting match-up on Ollie Dempsey, but quelled him well enough in the first half and had plenty of pill in the opening term. Went missing after quarter time, but brought it back a little in the third stanza. His tackling pressure is worth mentioning, after finishing with six of them. 4

17. LLOYD MEEK

Started strongly against Mark Blicavs, and surprisingly had more ball than his direct opponent at the half as well as leading the hitout count. Was neither here nor there at times, but certainly wasn’t Hawthorn’s worst. 5

18. MABIOR CHOL

Will have his night tainted by a tackle-gone-wrong on Tom Stewart, which saw the five-time All-Australian subbed out before quarter time. Had decent moments playing higher up the ground, was ultimately finished the match with a late goal that gave the Hawks a pulse heading into the final eight minutes of the match. A tough rating. 5

19. JACK GUNSTON

Missed a long-range set shot to start the second quarter, just fading it on the right side of the goal face. Was less prevalent on the scoreboard in the opening half compared to week’s semi-final, but did have two goal assists to his name at the main break. Kicked his first of the night around the halfway mark of the third term to end Geelong’s streak of six unanswered goals. Nailed the first set shot of the final quarter from a tougher angle in the right forward pocket, before pinging Zach Guthrie holding the ball with 11 minutes to play and converting his third. Proved himself a critical chain in his side scoring, finishing the match with nine score involvements from 15 disposals. Couldn’t have done any more. 8

23. JOSH WEDDLE

Nearly sent the MCG into a state of delirium with a booming shot on goal from 60 metres out on the run, only to hit the post. But beyond that early moment, was extremely underwhelming. His utility role can sometimes be a very hard one to master, but Friday night really wasn’t his night. Was summed up by a dropped uncontested mark at the start of the last quarter in Hawthorn’s defensive half, with Geelong quickly kicking a goal not long after that puts the Cats 29 points up. “He’s had a poor game,” Garry Lyon said at the start of the last quarter. Seven disposals after the final break saved him from an even lower score. 3

24. JOSH BATTLE

Kept Jeremy Cameron decently held when playing one-on-one, but Cameron managed to work his way up the ground and swap his direct opponent at times throughout the night. Intercepted and marked well, particularly in congestion. “He’s had his hands full with Cameron, but he’s competed honourably,” Garry Lyon said halfway through the final quarter. 6

25. JOSH WARD

Started decently, and brought his A-grade tackle game in the first half so couldn’t question his pressure before half time. But a disposal-less second half was a grim finish to his 2025, particularly given his excellent finals series up until that point. 3

30. SAM BUTLER

Was unlucky to not have a goal next to his name in the first term after some excellent crumbing and a snap on goal that came simultaneous with a Geelong free kick. Was involved in three scores from his seven disposals, and was perhaps slightly unlucky to be subbed out halfway through the third term. 4

31. CONNOR MACDONALD

Had more handballs than he did kicks, but also had some smart moments in traffic. Had his most important kick of the night in the third term, kicking truly from a set shot to lessen Hawthorn’s deficit back down to 14 points after Geelong’s scoring blitz. Went without a touch in the final quarter though, in a disappointing end to his season. 4

33. JACK GINNIVAN

Looked proppy early, but cashed in on an Oisin Mullin error deep inside forward 50 to kick Hawthorn’s second of the night via a one-step, left-foot kick on the wrong side of the goal face. Found the ball 15 times before half time, and seriously picked up his output as the game went on. Had a quiet third term, but showed a lot of fight after a poor semi-final against Adelaide. 6

34. NICK WATSON

Was lively around the ball early, but only had one touch to quarter time. Kicked an ABSURD goal on his wrong foot from the left forward pocket with his second disposal that had over 99,500 fans out of their seats. “He’s a finals natural, he showed us that this year and he’s furthered it with two astonishing September goals,” Fox Footy commentator Gerard Whateley said after his major. Started the final quarter off half-back in a last-gasp, left-field move from coach Sam Mitchell. Was quickly exposed one-on-one in a marking contest by Brad Close, but the Cat missed the set shot. Ultimately, clamping Cat Oisin Mullin had a number on him all night. “He’s lost all confidence in his performance, because Mullin’s been so good on him,” Jason Dunstall said in the closing stages of the match. Gets a point alone for his goal. 3

37. TOM BARRASS

Matched up on young gun Shannon Neale, and had a couple nervy moments in open play early. Had Geelong’s second tall forward to just three disposals and a sole goal from 97% game time, in a much better effort than last Friday night against Adelaide. Neale competed hard all night, but Barrass’ experience shone through. Admittedly didn’t have the intercepting influence he normally does, but still a performance with a notable net positive. A shame other teammates didn’t follow suit at times. 7