Hawthorn's Midfield Struggles Highlighted in GWS Defeat
Hawthorn Football Club is grappling with a significant midfield problem, and the spotlight is now on whether Josh Weddle can emerge as the solution. The dashing defender has established himself as one of the premier running half-backs in the AFL over recent seasons, but with key midfielders absent, the Hawks are pushing him into a new role.
Midfield Vacuum After Player Losses
With Will Day sidelined due to injury, James Worpel departed from the club, and Zach Merrett remaining at Essendon after a failed trade attempt, Hawthorn's midfield depth has been severely tested. The team is relying on Weddle to reinvent himself in the centre, partnering with Jai Newcombe to bolster their on-ball division.
This shift comes after a disappointing performance against GWS, where Hawthorn was dominated in the centre square. Newcombe stood alone as the only Hawks player to record more than 20 touches, underscoring the lack of support in the midfield.
Expert Analysis on Weddle's Transition
Craig Hutchison, speaking on The Agenda Setters, highlighted the challenges. "They're trying to back-fill Will Day in real time, and they were shocked by the Giants," he said. "Josh Weddle is the experiment as a mid—probably early days on that as well, but it's going to take some time. He's not an instant replacement for Day."
Nick Riewoldt praised Weddle's athletic abilities but expressed doubts about his midfield readiness. "He's a lab-grown footballer, isn't he? Just athletically, he's perfect," Riewoldt remarked. "If you were going to create a footballer in a lab and you grew one, you'd create him. I think the football test is the test that he's yet to answer. We know the athletic test—you can see it. I just think going into the midfield, there's a football nous; you've got to be able to find it, and find it consistently. That part of his growth as a player is still pending."
Broader Team Issues Beyond the Midfield
The 27-point loss to a depleted GWS outfit exposed weaknesses across the ground for Hawthorn. Riewoldt pointed out defensive lapses, noting that experienced players like James Sicily struggled. "They lost complete shape behind the footy, and we're talking about some really experienced guys as well," he said. "Sicily was beaten one on one. He looked a bit distracted at times. Even sort of giving up on it, complaining for the free kick. We've seen that from Sicily before. I thought it was an off night for Hawthorn in a part of the ground, going into the game... where you were super confident. Battle, Barrass, Sicily—I thought they got pulled apart."
As Hawthorn navigates this transitional phase, the club must address not only the midfield gaps but also overall team cohesion to improve their performance in upcoming matches.
