Hawthorn is on the verge of pulling off the fastest list rebuild in modern AFL history. Under senior coach Sam Mitchell, the Hawks have transformed from a rebuilding side in 2022 into a genuine premiership threat in 2026.
But Mitchell’s tactical genius faces its ultimate hurdle this Saturday in a high-stakes preliminary final against the formidable Brisbane Lions.
The Mitchell Masterclass vs. Brisbane
After ambushing Fremantle in the qualifying final, Hawthorn must now brace for a physical war of attrition against Chris Fagan's Brisbane side. To orchestrate another upset, Mitchell has a demanding tactical to-do list:
- Deaden the impact of Brisbane's dangerous small forwards.
- Contain midfield firestarter Will Ashcroft.
- Neutralise key defender Harris Andrews.
- Withstand the Lions' trademark early pressure burst (Brisbane is 21-2 over two years when their pressure rating tops 180 in the first 15 minutes).
If the young Hawks can survive the early onslaught, their rapid natural evolution might just make them flag favorites.
The Ex-Demons Ruck War
The other preliminary final features a mouthwatering individual battle between Sydney's Brodie Grundy and Fremantle's Luke Jackson. Both ruckmen were once teammates at Melbourne in a failed "dual-monster" experiment.
Now, they face off as arguably the two most in-form rucks in the competition:
- Brodie Grundy: Ranks second among AFL rucks in Player Ratings (15.8), leading the league in score assists.
- Luke Jackson: Marginally behind in ratings (15.7) but leads in center clearances and has booted 27 goals this season.
The winner of this aerial battle will likely book their team a ticket to the Grand Final.
Geelong’s Post-Butters Trade Pivot
Off the field, the trade landscape has erupted. Geelong’s primary target, Zak Butters, delivered a bombshell by nominating the Western Bulldogs.
In response, the Cats are aggressively pivoting their off-season strategy:
- Rowan Marshall: The St Kilda ruckman is seeking a trade, and Geelong has the salary cap space to make a massive play.
- Toby Greene: The GWS superstar is reportedly weighing a lucrative three-year offer from the Cats versus staying with the Giants.
What's Next
With legendary clashes on the field and chaotic list management off it, this week represents a defining moment for the AFL landscape. Whether Mitchell’s young Hawks can shock the world or the old guard reclaims dominance, Australian football is in for a historic weekend.
