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Sport Nation
Simpson calls on Hawthorn leaders amid difficult losing streak
Jaiden Sciberras • June 1st, 2025 2:56 pm
Despite remaining within the top six, the Hawks have undeniably struggled to compete with the competition’s best throughout their campaign.
Through 12 games, Hawthorn have lost out in four of their five clashes with current top eight sides, winning against the seventh-place Giants and falling short to Geelong, Gold Coast, Brisbane and most recently, Collingwood.
The club’s loss to the Magpies on Friday night marked their third straight loss, with just three wins from their last eight games epitomising their ongoing struggles.
Off the back of last season’s thrilling run into September, West Coast Eagles premiership coach Adam Simpson believes that the Hawks aren’t playing with the same confidence that sparked their exciting brand in 2024.
“The system’s not really stacking up with different individuals not playing well or not playing at all,” Simpson told SEN Crunch Time.
“They’re not the finished product. The sweet spot they hit last year, you thought ‘geez this team could do anything.’
“That’s not forever. It comes and goes and when it comes you get out of the way as a coach, and you keep riding it.
“It’s hard to celebrate and be yourself when you’re losing so were not seeing the same energy from those little mozzies that we saw last year that would bring something different. It’s hard to do that when you’re losing or you’re not playing well.”
Simpson also called out the leaders of the club, citing their importance in guiding the playing group through difficult stretches.
“Their leaders have got to step up,” he continued.
“(James) Sicily, as much as you don’t want to point the finger at one particular player, I’m not sure if he’s feeling sorry for himself or if he’s feeling the burden of leadership, I wouldn’t know, but you need your leaders to lead now.
“Whether it’s on the track, whether it’s after the game they get together, or whether it’s game day, you need your leaders and that’s what they’re working through.”
Hawthorn’s tough fixture continues, with the Bulldogs and the Crows to come before their bye in Round 15.
