Track watch 2025: Josh Weddle set for backup ruck role as Will Day, James Sicily return to training

After cutting his teeth at half back, Josh Weddle may be thrown into a new role by coach Sam Mitchell as two Hawks superstars have a slower start to pre-season.

Hawthorn midfield star Will Day will return to full contact training early in January as he builds a strong pre-season base to attack the 2025 season.

The 23-year-old was one of the heartbreak stories of the Hawks’ thrilling finals run last September, missing the elimination final victory over the Bulldogs and the stinging semi-final loss to Port Adelaide.

Day tried unsuccessfully to prove his fitness during the finals after suffering a complex partial dislocation of his ‘SC’ joint, which connects the collarbone and the sternum, before having surgery at the end of the season.

He was one of the standout movers at the Hawks’ two and a half-hour training sessions under the summer sun at Waverley Park.

Day and James Sicily, who had a shoulder reconstruction after the finals, are both scheduled to return to full competitive work when the Hawks resume early next year.

Will Day will return to full contact training next year. Picture: David Crosling

James Sicily had off-season surgery. Picture: David Crosling

But the pair have clearly done a power of running and looked sharp on Tuesday.

Day and his fellow housemate Dylan Moore – as well as Sicily – have been driving a theme centred around ‘the Hard Working Hawks’ as part of their 2025 pre-season campaign.

The mantra, which has been talked about internally, is based around leaving no stone unturned in physically and mentally applying themselves during the week to ensure they can continue the expressive Hok Ball edge and celebrations during matches.

Day suffered a setback during last year’s pre-season which impacted on his base and delayed his start to 2024.

So while he hasn’t done any serious competitive work right now, he is already striking a strong base for next year.

Coach Sam Mitchell has suggested Sicily will play the majority of his time in a defence that has already been boosted by boom recruits Tom Barrass and Josh Battle.

But he knows the flexibility of being able to shift Sicily and Blake Hardwick into attack at a whim will provide the Hawks with even more firepower next year.

Barrass is not yet into full training as he is still overcoming back soreness, but he is expected to resume full scale work early next year.

TRACK WATCH

Changkuoth Jiath

Hawks fans have crossed their fingers and toes for a healthy campaign for the injury-hit Jiath, who has played only 19 games in the past two seasons. He moved well on the track on Tuesday and is taking part in all drills. If he stays injury-free, he could be a bonus in 2025.

Cam Mackenzie

An ill-timed hamstring strain on the eve of the finals cost the young Hawks mid/forward his chance of September action. But he has impressed the coaches with his diligent approach to the pre-season and looks ready for more midfield time if the opportunity presents after playing 20 games in 2024.

Josh Weddle

The highly-talented Hawks defender had a solid year in 2024 but didn’t quite reach his expected lofty levels. But he looks primed now and has even spent some time working as a back-up ruckman to Lloyd Meek in a few drills.