Mick McGuane’s mid-season report card: How Hawthorn went from 0-5 to finals contender

At 0-5, Mick McGuane called the Hawks “horrible”. Two months later, Sam Mitchell’s side are a legitimate finals threat. We break down how they turned it around in Mick’s mid-season report card.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIAÉ June 15, 2024. AFL Round 14. Richmond vs Hawthorn at the MCG. Connor Macdonald of the Hawks celebrates a 2nd quarter goal with Josh Weddle . Pic: Michael Klein

Five rounds into the season, the blowtorch was being turned on Sam Mitchell and Hawthorn amid questions about the direction of its rebuild.

Just over two months later, the Hawks are a genuine finals contender.

MICK MCGUANE breaks down how they turned it around in his mid-season report card.

MICK MCGUANE’S MID-SEASON RATING: B-

There’s no other way to put it.

Hawthorn’s first five games of the season were horrible.

They sat 0-5 with an average losing margin of 35 points after round 5 and ranked 18th in the competition for scores against from turnovers.

Coach Sam Mitchell had looked to create a point of difference for his side this year by making the Hawks an offensive, high-scoring team.

That backfired in those early rounds as his side completely lost its defensive structure and intent in the process.

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However, Mitchell deserves a big tick for staying the course and he has managed to rebalance his side’s game on the run.

Since round 9, Hawthorn ranks No. 2 in the AFL for both points against (69.3 per game) and points against from turnovers (38.7 per game).

Those numbers are being helped by a pressure rating of 184 over the same period, which ranks sixth.

That improved pressure up the ground is ensuring opposition forwards aren’t afforded easy ball and is helping to create turnovers before it even gets there.

You never want to lose what you have trained all off-season — and for Hawthorn that was an offensive mindset.

So to make the necessary adjustments defensively while still being able to score heavily is a big reason why this group has so much belief at the bye.

The Hawks have won seven of their past nine games since the horror start and have scored 97 points or more in five of those matches.

- Defensive pressure! 🤩
- Ripper from Macdonald! 😱
- The celebration! 💯

This goal had it all! via @foxfooty#AFLDogsHawkspic.twitter.com/DUB86LnInJ

— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) May 5, 2024

Across the past five weeks they rank fifth in the competition for clearance differential and fourth for inside-50 differential, while they are also getting after any loose balls incredibly well.

There’s no doubt Will Day’s return from injury in round 7 helped bolster the midfield group, but I’ve also loved the campaign of Conor Nash.

Dylan Moore has been a key figure in Hawthorn’s surge. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

He’s been incredible as a bigger-bodied player around stoppages and has a great ability to snap into defensive transition, evidenced by 5.8 tackles a game.

Jai Newcombe has also got to work after a slow start to the season, while James Worpel is putting together a fairly consistent year.

The ability of that midfield group to work both sides of the ball is a key reason why Hawthorn has stamped itself as a finals contender.

Good continuity is never a bad thing, either, and the Hawks are getting that.

There are 12 players who have featured in every game this season and a further two who have missed only one match.

GOOD RECRUITING

The Hawks look to have nailed the trade periods over the past two years and are reaping the rewards.

They picked up small forward Jack Ginnivan for very little in a pick swap last year and the former Magpie has played every game this season for a return of 15.15.

Lloyd Meek was secured from Fremantle in a trade at the end of 2022 and he has added some much-needed grunt around the contest, pushing ahead of Ned Reeves as the club’s No. 1 ruckman.

Jack Ginnivan has proven an inspired recruit. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Mabior Chol has been holding up the forward line in the absence of the injured Mitch Lewis and has not only booted 20 goals from 12 games but has also been applying good pressure for a big man as the Hawks’ sixth-highest tackler this season.

Wingman Massimo D’Ambrosio and lead-up forward Jack Gunston have also played important roles this season as other 2023 trade acquisitions.

With the exception of the 32-year-old Gunston, all these players have a lot of footy left in them and the Hawks will hope they can continue to grow from here.

CAN THEY QUALIFY?

Given the form they are in and the reasonably soft fixture that lies ahead, the Hawks can play finals from here.

The challenge will be ensuring they don’t drink their own bathwater over the bye, because if they do they could quickly get a reality check like Fremantle did last week.

The round 16 clash with West Coast is a must-win on the road, before a defining three-week block with games against Geelong, Fremantle and Collingwood.

Win at least one or two of those and the Hawks will set themselves to sail into September for the first time since 2018.

Originally published as Mick McGuane’s mid-season report card: How Hawthorn went from 0-5 to finals contender