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All four: Hawthorn set to debut unprecedented forward mix
Jaiden Sciberras • July 31st, 2025 2:15 pm
All the talk surrounding Hawthorn has revolved around selection, and it has now been revealed that coach Sam Mitchell will unleash a rather rogue forward 50 set up.
Following the highly successful returns of both Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis, Hawthorn were left spoilt for choice in their key forward department, with Jack Gunston tracking for a near career-best season and Mabior Chol continuing to up his output.
In Round 20, the Hawks front half was humming against the Blues, with a mix of Dear, Lewis and Gunston combining for seven majors. That being said, the rotation left the Hawks without a strong back up ruckman, with the injured Chol typically playing out that role at a high level.
With all four set to be available for the first time this season, many debated which of the talented quartet would miss out, however in an unprecedented move, Mitchell has opted to go with all four.
Playing out an incredibly important bout against the Crows in what could be a crucial top four shaping contest, Kane Cornes has confirmed that the Hawks will line up with a front half exceeding the height of their three-pronged opponents.
“The Hawks are going to play all four,” Cornes told SEN Whateley.
“All of Mitch Lewis, (Jack) Gunston, (Calsher) Dear and Mabior Chol are going to play in the Hawthorn side against Adelaide on Friday night.
“I feel like someone is punishing me; I’ve been so anti Adelaide playing three, and the coach who I think is if not the best coach, certainly in the top three in the competition is going to do exactly that but on steroids with all four.
“I think it makes for a fascinating game on Friday night, on how this plays out – Adelaide with three and Hawthorn with four.
“I think one of the reasons they’ve done it is they’ve been a little bit worried by their second ruck, and Mabior Chol clearly gives them that cover. The rucks against the Hawks over the last couple of weeks have had influential games, so that will be one aspect.
“How they juggle all four with probably one on the interchange bench for a majority of the type will be an interesting sub note, and then how they rotate their midfield, because it probably means they will go one less runner short.
“That’s what’s happening, all four after a ferocious debate of what they would do and who would miss out.”
Despite the selection being well worth the experiment, it certainly comes at a risk if it falls flat, with the Hawks sitting just two games above the drop zone prior to facing each of the top three sides in the next four weeks.
“It’s almost like every game is a final for them right now,” Cornes continued.
“Better to find out now than later, provided you qualify. That would be the caveat to that with Hawthorn. There is a potential that they miss if they don’t get things going right.
“I think Mabior Chol, it is on him. He is the last one in, and he’s the one that’s probably under the most pressure.
“How that functions with Lewis and Chol will be of real interest on Friday night.”
The contest with the Crows kicks off at Adelaide Oval on Friday at 7:40pm AEST.
