With Hawthorn’s AFL season coming to a close, we sat down with each line coach to review how each player fared in 2025. 

Forwards Coach Adrian Hickmott spoke about the likes of Jack Gunston, Mabior Chol and Dylan Moore as he reviewed each forward’s season. 

Read what he had to say below. 

Mitch Lewis (8 games, 8 goals)

“He had a fantastic rehab program with the conditioning staff who got him back to where he'd like to be. He played some games at Box Hill before missing our first final, then coming in to play our next two finals, and he produced a really good performance in the prelim final. He took some marks and kicked three goals, which will hold him in good stead for next year. His body's feeling well.” 

Dylan Moore (26 games, 19.4 disposals per game, 4.3 marks per game) 

“His work rate right up and down the ground was great. Just off-field with Dylan, his leadership and understanding of the game are really important for Connor Macdonald and Nick Watson. They all work together really well. On-field, he's a workhorse, getting from contest to contest, he’s tough inside and able to put scoreboard pressure on.”

Mabior Chol (24 games, 42 goals)

“His preseason, for a start, was excellent, and that led to him taking more contested marks throughout the game. He had stints in the ruck, too, which was impressive. He looked good at centre bounces, getting around the ground and putting scoreboard pressure on the opposition.”

Jack Gunston (23 games, 73 goals, 3.2 goals per game, 5.2 marks, All Australian, Peter Crimmins Medallist) 

“There are two parts to this. His footy was fantastic, he played a role in each game. He went out and played and was still able to put goals and scores on the board. Then, off-field, he's worked with the younger players like Ramsden and Dear. Jack was really important to our system.”

Finn Maginness (13 games, 13.3 disposals per game) 

“He’s got a high work rate, he’s a great high half forward and tough. He could get contest to contest before he hurt himself. He was playing really consistently, too.”

Will McCabe (Yet to debut)

“His running patterns and the willingness to learn, like being open-minded, were really impressive. He played a bit of wing and a bit of forward. When he did come forward, the guys liked him down there. He could mark, and he had a beautiful kick on him. He’s still learning and progressing, but we really enjoyed what he did down there.”

Connor Macdonald (24 games, 22 goals, 14.9 disposals per game, 4 marks per game)

“He was very consistent throughout the whole season. He was really important for us with his run and his disposal efficiency. He's really smart with the football.”

Cody Anderson (Yet to debut)

“He's a tough young man. His defensive pressure is up there with Nick Watson's. He chases, tackles, runs, and he doesn't mind kicking a goal either.”

Jack Ginnivan (25 games, 29 goals, 18.6 disposals per game) 

“Jack goes down there to the VFL for one game early in the season, performs really good, kicks four goals down at Geelong, and comes back up into the senior side. And from then on, I don't think he misses a beat. His knowledge of the game is great, and he's smart, so it's really good for us.”

Nick Watson (25 games, 36 goals, 1.4 goals per game) 

“He had another very good year with 36 goals. He got followed a bit this year with tight opposition on him, but he's able to break free of those, which is really pleasing for a young guy.”

Calsher Dear (9 games, 10 goals)

“He had a really good preseason before he got the back injury. He missed 10 weeks or so and worked his way back through Box Hill. He started to look like Calsher, and we put him into the side. He took some really good catches, and unfortunately, strained a hamstring just before the finals.”

Max Ramsden (4 games, 4 goals)

“As a big fella, and in that area, probably most improved. His listening skills and his work rate on the training track were really impressive. And then he showed that in Box Hill, and especially when he came into the AFL team, he didn't look out of place. He was launching for the ball, was composed in front of goal, and just speaking to him before, he felt comfortable at AFL level, which is important.”

Matt Hill (Yet to debut) 

“The rugby showed - there were a lot of ‘don't argues’ for Matt Hill. He's in and under most of the game, another tough sort of small forward that just loves winning the ball for his teammates. And he celebrates some goals with good excitement.”