Why Brereton has Hawthorn finishing top four in 2025

Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton can see his former club contending in 2025.

The Hawks surprised many by going on a rampant run which saw them finish seventh at the end of the home and away season despite dropping their first five games.

The successful season for Sam Mitchell’s side would eventually end with a narrow Semi Final loss to Port Adelaide, and they took giant strides with their exciting brand.

As a result, the Hawks have been handed a stacked prime time fixture for 2025 which was discussed by Sam Edmund and Brereton.

With an increase to a combined seven Thursday and Friday night games in the first 15 rounds, plus a standalone Sunday night Gather Round clash with the Power, it feels like the Hawks have been rewarded for their sparkling 2024.

Now they must deliver says Edmund.

“You get the easier fixture, you have a great year, the prime time looks after itself the next year - Hawthorn’s case in point,” Edmund said on SEN Breakfast.

“Hawthorn have got to live up to their end of the bargain now of course. Not being the hunters and being the hunted, and being well and truly in prime time which they haven’t been for a long time.

“They’ve still got to fulfil their end of the bargain. We think they will, but…”

Brereton: “I think they’ll do alright.

“(But) I didn’t last year.”

The discussion then turned to where five-time day and five-time night premiership player Brereton sees the Hawks sitting next year.

He believes they are equipped to put themselves into the premiership conversation with a top-four finish on the cards.

Edmund: “Where do you have them finishing?”

Brereton: “Game style and the like I’ve got them at the real sharp end.”

Edmund: “Top four?”

Brereton: “Yeah.”

Edmund: “Top two?”

Brereton: “Could. I’ve also got Collingwood top four.”

Edmund: “Hawthorn in the mix for top two? Minor premier?”

Brereton: “Break their season down over the last 14 weeks, who are your best teams?”

Edmund: “But there’s no guarantee that continues.”

Brereton: “No guarantee but it’s a big snapshot (to look at).

“You look at age of lists as well on that bigger snapshot (of form).”

Edmund the quizzed the former centre half-forward on whether or not he has any issues with their key position set up inside forward 50.

Edmund: “Do you worry for Hawthorn’s forward mix from a key position perspective?”

Brereton: “Yeah, but I did every game this year and they still got it done with the way they play.

“It’s a little bit like Richmond of 2017 with the three small forwards that just ran riot. Well, Hawthorn have got four or five.”

The Hawks will open their 2025 campaign against Sydney at the SCG on the Friday night of Opening Round on March 7.

In early premiership markets the Hawks are rated second or third flag favourites with most bookmakers.