Hawthorn’s selection squeeze unpacked as Mabior Chol, Jack Scrimshaw fight for spots
As Jack Scrimshaw touches on the ‘challenge’ of fitting into Hawthorn’s defence, we look at all the big selection calls facing the club — including whether Mabior Chol gets back in the side.
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It has taken time for Hawthorn defender Jack Scrimshaw to relearn his position with the additions of Tom Barrass and Josh Battle.
But time is quickly running out for Sam Mitchell to answer questions across each line about how his team will look in the first week of finals, if the Hawks make it.
One of a kettle of breakout Hawks last year, Scrimshaw was this year shifted from the key defender role that he nailed in the backhalf of 2024 to a flanker role, to accommodate recruits Barrass and Battle.
“It’s been a bit of a challenge at the start. I haven’t played much footy this year, I have played maybe nine games so I am still learning how they go about things,” he said.
“I just want to complement them as best as possible.”
Scrimshaw enjoyed possibly his best outing of the year so far against Carlton last week, plucking five intercept marks in the comfortable win.
But with Josh Weddle now on the way back and some other options waiting in the wings, Scrimshaw’s improved form will be watched closely as Mitchell locks down his best team for a four-game sprint of vital matches to make the eight.
The queries will run across all three sections of the field during match committee meetings for the next month, and maybe more.
DEFENCE
The incumbents: Jack Scrimshaw, Bailey Macdonald
The challengers: Changkuoth Jiath, Seamus Mitchell, Josh Weddle (when fit)
Most of the Hawthorn defence is locked in.
A rejuvenated James Sicily will join forces with Josh Battle, Tom Barrass, Blake Hardwick, Jarman Impey and Karl Amon, unless Mitchell decides to swing someone forward.
The coach has indicated he prefers to play a half-back flanker as the sub when possible, so Bailey Macdonald has filled that role in recent weeks, allowing Impey to swap forward late in the game, and that is a role that Seamus Mitchell can fill too.
Bailey MacDonald’s first goal has got me crying 🥹😅 pic.twitter.com/dVfZhqSaNq
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) July 19, 2025
Scrimshaw has been in solid form and believes he is working out how best to play with Barrass and Battle.
“It has been a challenge, but the more better players we have the better,” he said.
“We complement each other really well and we just have to keep building that synergy and I feel like we are building that at the right time of the year.”
The question will be whether playing Sicily, Battle, Barrass and Scrimshaw makes the Hawks too tall, when a runner like Changkuoth Jiath could come in as cover for quicker forwards.
Sam Frost is still available but hasn’t played since way back in round 1.
Josh Weddle will certainly play when he is available, as he ramps up from a sore back, further complicating the set up.
He could play forward or on the wing but has been at his best off half-back this year, playing the same role as Scrimshaw.
ATTACK
The incumbents: Mitch Lewis, Calsher Dear, Connor Macdonald
The challengers: Mabior Chol, Luke Breust
Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis have returned in such good form it has only caused issues.
Mitchell could have a look at a four-tall line-up at some stage, but with wins a premium to even make the eight, there isn’t much room for experimentation.
Jack Gunston, Nick Watson and Dylan Moore are locked in as forwards, Jack Ginnivan has been excellent since a spell in the twos and Connor Macdonald will play ahead of Luke Breust.
That leaves Lewis and Dear against Chol.
Chol, out with a groin injury against Carlton, has booted 32 goals in 17 games this year and has largely enjoyed a high-quality season.
Dear took some time to get going but has kicked seven goals in the last three games and Lewis was strong against the Blues.
Lewis will still take some time to ramp up form after a knee injury, but the selection dilemma is likely between him and Chol.
Where Chol can add second-ruck to his repertoire, Lewis’ ceiling this season is higher.
It’s a tough call.
MIDFIELD
The incumbents: Josh Ward, James Worpel, Harry Morrison
The challengers: Cam Mackenzie, Sam Butler
The Hawks will pick Lloyd Meek, Will Day, Josh Ward, Massimo D’Ambrosio. Conor Nash and Jai Newcombe, if fit.
The others will also be hard to leave out.
Josh Ward has been excellent across the last month and his quick burst adds something to the Hawthorn engine room.
Harry Morrison is rock solid on the wing and James Worpel will be picked.
But the Hawks inside portion of the midfield is not flying, with the club ranked 16th in clearance differential across the season.
Cam Mackenzie and Sam Butler are waiting in the wings, but neither will turn the clearance game around.
It’s likely status quo in the midfield for now.
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Originally published as Hawthorn’s selection squeeze unpacked as Mabior Chol, Jack Scrimshaw fight for spots
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