Hawks' Reality Check: Mitchell Calls for Open Dialogue After Heavy Loss to Magpies
Hawthorn has been handed a harsh reality check, suffering a comprehensive 51-point defeat at the hands of Collingwood at the MCG. The loss, a brutal indictment of their recent form, marks the Hawks' third consecutive defeat, leaving fans and analysts questioning the team's trajectory. Following a 33-point loss to Brisbane the previous week, Hawthorn now sits at 7-5, a far cry from the promising start many predicted.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has responded to the disappointing performance with a call for open and honest communication within the playing group. “It’s a really important time for us to be able to have some honest conversations, and let everyone have a voice,” Mitchell stated after the match. “We need to let it all out, and work out where we’re at as a group.”
The Magpies, led by a dominant midfield performance, completely outplayed the Hawks in all facets of the game. Collingwood’s pressure and intensity suffocated Hawthorn’s attack, while their own forward line proved too potent to handle. Key players for Collingwood included Darcy Moore, who was a constant threat in attack, and Nick Daicos, who orchestrated the midfield with precision.
For Hawthorn, the performance was littered with errors and a lack of cohesion. Their normally reliable forward line struggled to impact the game, and their defense was repeatedly exposed by Collingwood’s relentless pressure. While young players like Dhruv Kalkarni showed glimpses of promise, the overall performance lacked the spark and intensity that has characterized the Hawks in recent seasons.
The loss raises significant questions about Hawthorn’s premiership aspirations. While 7-5 is still a respectable position on the ladder, the team's recent form suggests a significant drop in performance. Mitchell acknowledged the concerns, stating that the team needs to address their issues quickly if they hope to contend for silverware.
“We’re not where we want to be,” Mitchell admitted. “We need to be better, and we need to be better quickly. This is a wake-up call for us, and we need to respond with a strong performance next week.”
The challenge for Hawthorn now is to regroup, reassess, and rediscover the form that saw them start the season so strongly. Mitchell’s call for open dialogue is a crucial first step, but ultimately, it will be the players’ actions on the field that determine whether the Hawks can turn their fortunes around. The next few weeks will be critical in shaping Hawthorn's season and their hopes of a deep finals run. Can they overcome this adversity and prove their premiership credentials?
