3 weeks ago
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Aggressive, uncompromising and fiery.
These were some of the adjectives levelled at Hawthorn’s AFL men’s team – dubbed the “unsociable Hawks” – during their three-peat premiership dynasty under coach Alastair Clarkson.
Has a similar unsociable style of footy inspired Hawthorn’s AFLW side in 2025?
Hawks during the AFLW qualifying match against North Melbourne Credit: Getty Images
“I don’t think it’s something necessarily that we’ve gone out of our way to include in our program, but I think it’s something that’s naturally happened with the young people coming through,” Hawks defender Tamara Smith told this masthead.
Across Hawthorn’s men’s and women’s program, Smith said young players who “weren’t afraid to say what they think” were bringing “new, cheeky energy” to the team.
“I actually think it’s quite refreshing for our game,” she said.
“In a traditional sense, our game is very narrowing… you have to fit a certain profile to play, and I think it’s really exciting that now we’re seeing this brand of player that’s completely different, they’re cheeky, and they chat back to the media, and they have this ‘I don’t really care’ attitude.”
The Hawks are hunting their first AFLW finals win, taking on Carlton at Ikon Park in a semi-final on Saturday night.
The Hawks have had a tough run in recent weeks, losing to reigning premiers North Melbourne two weeks in a row, with a 49-point loss in the final home-and-away round and a 39-point defeat in the qualifying final. The losses put the Hawks at risk of a straight-sets exit inconsecutive years.
Despite what the margins may suggest, both encounters between the teams were fiery and physical.
Jasmine Garner was chaired from the field after her 100th match by teammates Kim Rennie (left) and Emma King (right).Credit: AFL Photos
After the loss in round 12, Hawthorn copped criticism for snubbing Jasmine Garner’s 100th game celebration, with Hawks coach Daniel Webster later conceding the club’s decision to not stay on the field for the guard of honour was “a mistake”.
Tensions flared again the following week when North held the Hawks goaless in a qualifying final that was marred by a three-quarter-time push and shove between players after an incident between Roo Emma Kearney and Hawk Greta Bodey.
Smith said the emergence of rivalries between AFLW sides was exciting for the sport.
“You see rivalries in the men’s, and there’s rivalries already happening in the women’s,” she said.
“The competition is so new and rivalries that are based on the AFLW haven’t really had an opportunity to develop yet.
“[But] I think it’s really exciting that it’s something that’s coming into the game.”
Smith said the Hawks had taken plenty from their two losses to North, crediting Darren Crocker’s side for playing a consistent style of footy.
“They’re [North] a really good side, and they have played consistently for four years, and it’s got them a lot of success,” she said. “But I think, as a team, we learnt that our system works, and we’re building towards something we can take to the top teams.
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“We’ve got a really talented but also hard-working bunch of individuals that are going to play a really exciting brand of footy for years to come.”
Hawthorn have also suffered a last-minute wave of injuries late in the season, with Emily Everist out with a concussion. However, Smith said the Hawks were ready to face Carlton – a team they defeated in round two by eight points.
“Finals footy is really crazy and never goes to plan,” she said.
“So I think there’s the excitement that you’re still playing footy when other teams aren’t – you have an opportunity to play the best teams in the competition and really showcase your brand of footy.”
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