AFL pre-season games get underway as Hawthorn tackles arch-rival Geelong in James Worpel’s first unofficial showdown with his former side.
We’re getting our first look at the Hawks’ new-look midfield without Worpel or the injured Will Day as the likes of Josh Ward, Cam Mackenzie and Connor Macdonald get greater opportunities in the engine room alongside Jai Newcombe.
The Cats have unleashed Worpel and Ollie Dempset in their beefed-up on-ball group as they set out for another flag tilt in 2026. But they’re without Tanner Bruhn, who was a late withdrawal due to illness — as was premiershp defender Zach Guthrie.
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The Cats used a strong breeze to their advantage, with a sharp Ollie Henry booting one of their four goals.
But the Hawks found their groove and rhythm in the second term, with Dylan Moore starring as his team booted six goals to take a five-point lead into half-time.
There was an injury concern to emerging Hawks forward Calsher Dear in the first term after he copped a nasty knock to the chest.
Dear came from the field and started the second term off the groud, but returned later to kick a goal during an excellent Hawks blitz.
The game will consist of four 30-minute periods with no time on.
It gets underway at 1:45pm AEDT from Hawthorn’s new Dingley Village home base, Kennedy Community Centre.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504) and Kayo Sports from 1:45pm.
Follow Hawthorn v Geelong in our live blog below! If you can’t see the blog, tap here.
Hawks’ squad for match simulation
1. Harry Morrison, 2. Mitch Lewis, 3. Jai Newcombe, 4. Jarman Impey, 5. Nick Watson, 6. James Sicily, 7. Ned Reeves, 8. Dylan Moore, 9. Connor Macdonald, 10. Karl Amon, 11. Conor Nash, 13. Calsher Dear, 14. Jack Scrimshaw, 16. Massimo D’Ambrosio, 17. Lloyd Meek, 18. Mabior Chol, 20. Finn Maginness, 21. Noah Mraz, 23. Josh Weddle, 25. Josh Ward, 26. Bodie Ryan, 28. Cam Mackenzie, 29. Aidan Schubert, 30. Sam Butler, 35. Oliver Greeves, 38. Max Ramsden, 39. Flynn Perez, 40. Jack Riding, 42. Bailey Macdonald, 44. Henry Hustwaite
Absent: Tom Barrass*, Jack Gunston*, Josh Battle*, Blake Hardwick*, Jack Ginnivan, Will Day, Cam Nairn, Will McCabe, Matt Leray, Cody Anderon, Jack Dalton, James Blanck, Matt Hill, Jamie Uhr-Henry
Cats’ squad for match simulation
2. Jay Polkinghorne, 4. Tanner Bruhn, 10. Mitch Knevitt, 11. Mitch Edwards, 12. Jack Bowes, 13. Jhye Clark, 14. Connor O’Sullivan, 15. George Stevens, 16. Sam De Koning, 20. Jacob Molier, 21. Oli Wiltshire, 22. Hunter Holmes, 23. Lennox Hofmann, 24. Jed Bews, 27. Nick Driscoll, 28. Ollie Dempsey, 29. James Worpel, 30. Tom Atkins, 32. Gryan Miers, 33. Shannon Neale, 34. Oisin Mullin, 36. Ollie Henry, 37. Joe Pike, 38. Jack Henry, 41. Cillian Burke, 42. Mark O’Connor, 45. Brad Close
Absent: Patrick Dangerfield*, Bailey Smith*, Max Holmes*, Tom Stewart*, Lawson Humphries*, Rhys Stanley, Jeremy Cameron, Toby Conway, Shaun Mannagh, Jake Kolodjashnij, Tyson Stengle, Jack Martin, Jesse Mellor, Harley Barker, Keighton Matofai-Forbes, Zach Guthrie, Mark Blicavs
* = played in Origin
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