The "point of difference" in Hawthorn's potential midfield mix

Kane Cornes has called on Hawthorn’s midfield depth to lift in their performance if they are to push themselves into premiership contention.

After a spectacular run towards the end of the 2024 season, which catapulted them into the finals, the Hawks backed it up in 2025 reaching the preliminary final.

But any hopes of going further in 2026 have taken a hit with star midfielder Will Day sidelined for at least the first half of the season after having undergone a reconstruction of his right shoulder.

With the 24-year-old now recovering from that injury, Cornes is concerned about where they can find an edge against their opposition within the midfield.

“There is a sameness about their midfield in terms of size,” he noted on SEN Breakfast.

“(Cam) Mackenzie is a similar size to (Connor) Macdonald, who’s a similar size to (Josh) Ward, who’s a similar size, not necessarily height-wise to (Jai) Newcombe.

“So, what is the point of difference going to be in the midfield?

“Well, it’s (Josh) Weddle, and it’s (Nick) Watson.”

Day’s absence from the side also means that Newcombe will be required to be the focal point of that group.

But the 2004 Premiership player felt that for the Hawks to be true premiership contenders, they needed several other players to contribute.

“That’s the challenge for every good player,” Cornes explained.

“That’s why you need three of them (good midfielders). That’s why the Brisbane Lions have got four of them, and that’s why the Western Bulldogs have five of them.

“You do need different options, and we saw that with (Hugh) McCluggage. They (the opposition) went to him (for a tag), and someone else goes (off).  

“They (Geelong) moved off him in the Grand Final, and McCluggage lights up.

“That’s the challenge that is going to be on Ward, Mackenzie, Macdonald and whoever else they put through there.

“If Newcombe is down, we’re going to have to be the ones getting 30 (disposals) and nine score involvements and doing the damage.

“We can’t just rely on him.”

The Hawks were well and truly in the depths of trade period in search for midfield reinforcement, with Essendon superstar Zach Merrett pushing to join the club over the course of the off-season.

Whilst Hawthorn did throw a massive offer at the Bombers, their attempt would fall short, with the deadline passing before a deal could be agreed on between the enemies.

That said, newly appointed Hawthorn co-captain Jai Newcombe is full of belief that the club's midfield depth is ready to take the next step.

"(There is) obviously the excitement around it in the AFL world when (the Merrett rumour was) announced as a possibility," Newcombe told SEN's The Captain's Run.

"He's a great player and every club wants to have him, so everyone would be excited with the prospect of that happening.

"(There has not been) a great deal of chatter at all about the disappointment of him not being here. There's a lot of confidence within our squad that we do have that we've got guys stepping up to become quality midfielders for this club in the future.

"The likes of Josh Ward, who has taken great steps in both his playing career and his leadership aspirations as well.

"Connor Macdonald has been floating through the midfield in our pre-season training and is doing a great job. There's enough talent within our squad to fill the void of 'Daysy' (and Merrett)) not being here."

Hawthorn will begin their 2026 season in an elimination final rematch against GWS during Opening Round.

That will be played at ENGIE Stadium on March 7.