Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Josh Ward. Extends to 2029!

[JZedd]

It will be exciting watching him develop. I really hope Ward takes that next step inside/outside mid, where he dominates some games with 25 plus possies.
It would be sensational if Mackenzie, Butler, etc can have a great year. Add a fit and healthy Day and we're probably contenders... please, just no long term injuries, especially for certain players we can't replace.

Plus one of the new draftees may really surprise and grab a spot in our best 23...So glad we got all these youngsters in plus we got 2 future second rounders (In a pretty strong draft) for our troubles. I feel our list is more balanced now and I'm glad we didn't give all this up for ZM.

 

[matey]

It will be exciting watching him develop. I really hope Ward takes that next step inside/outside mid, where he dominates some games with 25 plus possies.
It would be sensational if Mackenzie, Butler, etc can have a great year. Add a fit and healthy Day and we're probably contenders... please, just no long term injuries, especially for certain players we can't replace.

Plus one of the new draftees may really surprise and grab a spot in our best 23...So glad we got all these youngsters in plus we got 2 future second rounders (In a pretty strong draft) for our troubles. I feel our list is more balanced now and I'm glad we didn't give all this up for ZM.

And rotate Moore, Croc, Wiz and Weddle at times ….. I’m quite optimistic with our midfield group for 2026

 

[Rushed_Behind]

And rotate Moore, Croc, Wiz and Weddle at times ….. I’m quite optimistic with our midfield group for 2026

Yeah a lot of people forgetting they’re all in that 3-5 years in the system where they have “breakout” seasons.

 

[Roddy]

And rotate Moore, Croc, Wiz and Weddle at times ….. I’m quite optimistic with our midfield group for 2026

Weddle to the middle excites me maximally.

 

[matey]

Weddle to the middle excites me maximally.

Our Mr Fix It ….. throw him anywhere! Similar height, weight and athleticism to Kouta who played that role for the Blues

 

[Bedi]

Despite a few break out games, i remain pretty dirty on Ward. Zero touches in the second half of the prelim was simply unacceptable. Hoping this burn drives him over the preseason, as we desperately need him to step up if we are to be flag contenders.

 

[Reggie Mombasa]

Despite a few break out games, i remain pretty dirty on Ward. Zero touches in the second half of the prelim was simply unacceptable. Hoping this burn drives him over the preseason, as we desperately need him to step up if we are to be flag contenders.

That can happen with young players in big games where momentum is against you. All the younger guys struggled to influence the game:
Watson had three quarters with one disposal in each (and 2 in q3) and a total of 2 tackles and 7 pressure acts for the game.
Mass had a total of 1 disposal across q2 and q4 (but 6 tackles and 20 pressure acts for the game).
CMac 3 disposals in the second half (total of 2 tackles and 5 pressure acts for the game).
Weddle a total of 2 disposals in the first half (2 tackles and 15 pressure acts for the game).
Ward's 8 disposals (+ 6 tackles, 22 pressure acts) was his worst for the year, but he was also played in a new position as a small forward for almost all of the second half (after 3 score involvements and 170m gained in the first half as a midfielder), as Moore went into the middle.
One of his"few break out games" included the semi-final the week before, played interstate, where he had 31 disposals (14 contested) at 71% DE, 7 score involvements, 6 i50s, 7 intercepts, and 414m gained.

 

[Sixpence]

Despite a few break out games, i remain pretty dirty on Ward. Zero touches in the second half of the prelim was simply unacceptable. Hoping this burn drives him over the preseason, as we desperately need him to step up if we are to be flag contenders.

No point dwelling on that one game. Had a solid year, including 2 great finals. Getting a lot of praise this pre-season too. Exciting year ahead for Ward!

 

[Bedi]

That can happen with young players in big games where momentum is against you. All the younger guys struggled to influence the game:
Watson had three quarters with one disposal in each (and 2 in q3) and a total of 2 tackles and 7 pressure acts for the game.
Mass had a total of 1 disposal across q2 and q4 (but 6 tackles and 20 pressure acts for the game).
CMac 3 disposals in the second half (total of 2 tackles and 5 pressure acts for the game).
Weddle a total of 2 disposals in the first half (2 tackles and 15 pressure acts for the game).
Ward's 8 disposals (+ 6 tackles, 22 pressure acts) was his worst for the year, but he was also played in a new position as a small forward for almost all of the second half (after 3 score involvements and 170m gained in the first half as a midfielder), as Moore went into the middle.
One of his"few break out games" included the semi-final the week before, played interstate, where he had 31 disposals (14 contested) at 71% DE, 7 score involvements, 6 i50s, 7 intercepts, and 414m gained.

I know it's harsh to single him out given the whole side fell apart – but just think the prelim could become a crucial part of his story. There's a strong argument in being like a goldfish and forgetting about past failures and moving on, but if 2011 and 2012 taught us anything it's that having a fire in the belly can lead to sustained success. So if he does channel that burning desire to right the wrongs it could be the making of him as a player. And given how good he was in the final against Adelaide, you'd hope would be enough to give him the confidence to really set about making 2026 as the year he announces himself as a A-grader

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

That can happen with young players in big games where momentum is against you. All the younger guys struggled to influence the game:
Watson had three quarters with one disposal in each (and 2 in q3) and a total of 2 tackles and 7 pressure acts for the game.
Mass had a total of 1 disposal across q2 and q4 (but 6 tackles and 20 pressure acts for the game).
CMac 3 disposals in the second half (total of 2 tackles and 5 pressure acts for the game).
Weddle a total of 2 disposals in the first half (2 tackles and 15 pressure acts for the game).
Ward's 8 disposals (+ 6 tackles, 22 pressure acts) was his worst for the year, but he was also played in a new position as a small forward for almost all of the second half (after 3 score involvements and 170m gained in the first half as a midfielder), as Moore went into the middle.
One of his"few break out games" included the semi-final the week before, played interstate, where he had 31 disposals (14 contested) at 71% DE, 7 score involvements, 6 i50s, 7 intercepts, and 414m gained.

Vague recollection now, but wasn't he injured early in the game? I thought he copped a bad corky to the hip, and couldn't run? That was why he went forward.

 

[CHUBBSS]

I know it's harsh to single him out given the whole side fell apart – but just think the prelim could become a crucial part of his story. There's a strong argument in being like a goldfish and forgetting about past failures and moving on, but if 2011 and 2012 taught us anything it's that having a fire in the belly can lead to sustained success. So if he does channel that burning desire to right the wrongs it could be the making of him as a player. And given how good he was in the final against Adelaide, you'd hope would be enough to give him the confidence to really set about making 2026 as the year he announces himself as a A-grader

100% You need adversity to get better, if everything was easy it might not even mean anything, the fact his come back in the condition his in and with a shaved head is pretty telling

I think a lot forget how young these kids are tho, they are finally at the age where it starts to click

 

[Bedi]

100% You need adversity to get better, if everything was easy it might not even mean anything, the fact his come back in the condition his in and with a shaved head is pretty telling

I think a lot forget how young these kids are tho, they are finally at the age where it starts to click

love it!

 

[grumbleguts]

That can happen with young players in big games where momentum is against you. All the younger guys struggled to influence the game:
Watson had three quarters with one disposal in each (and 2 in q3) and a total of 2 tackles and 7 pressure acts for the game.
Mass had a total of 1 disposal across q2 and q4 (but 6 tackles and 20 pressure acts for the game).
CMac 3 disposals in the second half (total of 2 tackles and 5 pressure acts for the game).
Weddle a total of 2 disposals in the first half (2 tackles and 15 pressure acts for the game).
Ward's 8 disposals (+ 6 tackles, 22 pressure acts) was his worst for the year, but he was also played in a new position as a small forward for almost all of the second half (after 3 score involvements and 170m gained in the first half as a midfielder), as Moore went into the middle.
One of his"few break out games" included the semi-final the week before, played interstate, where he had 31 disposals (14 contested) at 71% DE, 7 score involvements, 6 i50s, 7 intercepts, and 414m gained.

The problem in that game was to go near the ball you had to go near dangerfield, which meant giving away a free kick.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I know it's harsh to single him out given the whole side fell apart – but just think the prelim could become a crucial part of his story. There's a strong argument in being like a goldfish and forgetting about past failures and moving on, but if 2011 and 2012 taught us anything it's that having a fire in the belly can lead to sustained success. So if he does channel that burning desire to right the wrongs it could be the making of him as a player. And given how good he was in the final against Adelaide, you'd hope would be enough to give him the confidence to really set about making 2026 as the year he announces himself as a A-grader

I don't think he is going to forget his performance any time soon, as he's mentioned it this preseason already. I believe (hope) he will be much better for it now, and it seems like he's been training like he's got a point to prove.

 

[VernonSpots]

Didn't geelong put a lot of work into him. He was basically our cleanest midfielder with ball in hand and prob most damaging once he got it. He will cop that a lot more unless we get Day and Mackenzie firing

 

[Noel Gallagher]

I don't think he is going to forget his performance any time soon, as he's mentioned it this preseason already. I believe (hope) he will be much better for it now, and it seems like he's been training like he's got a point to prove.

He did enough this year to suggest that he will become a top liner. Im confident that the prelim was an outlier and he has learnt a lot from the experience. Even if he had a 25 plus possession game we still would have got belted as the whole midfield struggled

 

[Dewnior]

He did enough this year to suggest that he will become a top liner. Im confident that the prelim was an outlier and he has learnt a lot from the experience. Even if he had a 25 plus possession game we still would have got belted as the whole midfield struggled

It sounds like he has really beaten himself up over that game and has decided to leave no stone unturned in his preseason so far.

fwiw I reckon he will shine brightest when he has both Newc and Day in the middle with him.

Gun.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Despite a few break out games, i remain pretty dirty on Ward. Zero touches in the second half of the prelim was simply unacceptable. Hoping this burn drives him over the preseason, as we desperately need him to step up if we are to be flag contenders.

One genuinely poor game and you’re “dirty” on him. It was obviously not great but not enough to derail or downplay his season.

Not to mention he played a different role as a forward in the second half as Moore went to the midfield and his first half was solid.

He wasn’t alone in that game either.

 

[Bedi]

One genuinely poor game and you’re “dirty” on him. It was obviously not great but not enough to derail or downplay his season.

He wasn’t alone in that game.

You're not? Needed more from him in the prelim than 0 touches in the second half.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

You're not? Needed more from him in the prelim than 0 touches in the second half.

The way it’s posed as if you’re dirty on him for a singular game is a bit silly. Obviously him and others weren’t good enough when it mattered last year but there was a lot to like outside of that. Which is why 2026 is a promising prospect.

As mentioned he played as a forward in the second half which he’s never done and given his first half was okay, it is hardly worth beating to a pulp more than it already has been.

He’s made it clear himself he wasn’t happy with it, has come back in unreal condition and ready to explode in 2026.

 

[Bedi]

The way it’s posed as if you’re dirty on him for a singular game is a bit silly. Obviously him and others weren’t good enough when it mattered last year but there was a lot to like outside of that. Which is why 2026 is a promising prospect.

As mentioned he played as a forward in the second half which he’s never done and given his first half was okay, it is hardly worth beating to a pulp more than it already has been.

He’s made it clear himself he wasn’t happy with it, has come back in unreal condition and ready to explode in 2026.

Prob disappointed as i really rate him and frustrated he went missing in such a big game. Also the fact he stood up so admirably aginst Adel, means expectations are now much higher. But as has been discussed, he most def was not alone.

Probably irrelevant anyway as i get the feeling Brisbane would've smashed us the next week. That second half was downright scary

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Prob disappointed as i really rate him and frustrated he went missing in such a big game. Also the fact he stood up so admirably aginst Adel, means expectations are now much higher. But as has been discussed, he most def was not alone.

Probably irrelevant anyway as i get the feeling Brisbane would've smashed us the next week. That second half was downright scary

Yep.

I would be confident leading into 2026 as a Hawks fan. There’s obviously some ridiculous talent going around other clubs. Notably Brisbane and how good Gold Coasts midfield is now.

If Ward can make the expected jump to be an A Grader, Day plays a considerable part of the season and Newcombe has both of them to then set himself up for a huge year.

Then there’s no reason Hawthorn don’t set expectations for a grandfinal berth. The talent is immense forward and back, the midfield will need to close that gap. It starts with those. Cant forget Mackenzie and co too.

 

[stevehawkington]

You're not? Needed more from him in the prelim than 0 touches in the second half.

It's more a game day coaching/midfield group failure than blaming one player. They put the full clamp tag on him and other mids couldn't step up.

2026 will be different. You won't be dirty on him for long.

 

[Blackhawk42]

One genuinely poor game and you’re “dirty” on him. It was obviously not great but not enough to derail or downplay his season.

Not to mention he played a different role as a forward in the second half as Moore went to the midfield and his first half was solid.

He wasn’t alone in that game either.

Didn't our captain have the same stat line during the last quarter of that preliminary final as well?

 

[ReturningHawk]

You're not? Needed more from him in the prelim than 0 touches in the second half.

All you can ask for of any player is 100% effort. Wardy personifies effort. Your willingness to hang him out to dry just because he was beaten by a stronger and more experienced opposition says that you need to manage your expectations a bit better.