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

In our next instalment of this series, Backline Coach Kade Simpson spoke about the likes of Karl Amon, Josh Battle and Jarman Impey as he reviewed each forward’s season. 

Read what he had to say below. 

Jarman Impey (24 games, 19.3 disposals, 5 marks)

“I think as a whole, Jarman’s year was outstanding. To Jars’ high standard, he was maybe a little bit slow to get going, but I think from probably Round 6 or 7 onwards, he was unbelievable with his running. I think everyone would love him when he runs off half-back and provides so much offence for our back line. His link-up play, I think, now two years in a row, he's had really outstanding years. Funnily enough, I think his form coincided with the birth of his first child, so it's a good start for him.”

James Sicily (23 games, 19.5 disposals, 6.7 marks) 

“I think he started the year really well, and then, obviously, through his body and a little bit of form, he struggled for a bit there. We tried to freshen him up and get his body right. I think that once he came back from injury, he was really consistent, so he influenced a lot of our attacking plays by being really solid in the contest. He then set up a lot of our offence after winning his contest. I think once he came back, he was ultra consistent at that really high level that we all know Sis can play to.”

Karl Amon (25 games, 24 disposals, 596.1 metres gained)

“Karl was super. I think he was probably our most consistent defender all year. Just every game, he seemed to notch up his 25-odd touches and be really solid defensively, which is something I think he's added to his game. Over the past sort of 12 to 18 months, he's been really solid in the contest and reliable behind the ball. But then we're a better team when he gets the ball in his hands. So his number one focus is he's trying to get involved in offence, which it should be, and he did that really well.”

Jack Scrimshaw (16 games, 13.7 disposals) 

“It was a bit of an interrupted year for Jack, obviously, through multiple head knocks and concussions. He had face surgery at one stage after Round 1, when he had a head clash, and then a couple of little issues with his body as well. He probably struggled to get that continuity on the training track and then out there on game day as well. But we saw some really good signs of Scrim at the backend of the year. I think he played the last seven or eight games, and especially in the finals, he really impacted in the air, which we all know he can do. And that's him at his best when he's taking those intercept marks and then using his kicking skills to set us up offensively.”

Blake Hardwick (26 games, 14.7 disposals) 

“Yeah, Dimm’a a ripper. He's just so reliable back there, as everyone would know. But he also makes all his teammates better players as well. So once he sort of settled into the back line, he just really solidified our group. I think the back line really gelled, and their cohesion just grew, sort of towards the back end of the year. But Dimma was a big part of that, and he can take out the opposition's best forward. He’s also got a beautiful kick and can set us up as well with the ball.”

Noah Mraz (Yet to debut) 

“Noah’s progress was great. He was trending in a really good direction before he got injured. He was coming up in conversations that we'd really like to try and see him at AFL level. He's got a lot of attributes that will be really, really good in the AFL. He's physical, he's competitive, and he can really run and launch at the ball and take a good mark. He’s really pleased with how he went this year and his progression throughout the season.”

Josh Weddle (18 games, 16.1 disposals)

“Weds was having a really consistent year before going down with injury. But he's a true professional. As soon as he got injured and stopped, I think once it sunk in, he sort of thought about how he could get better and how he could help the team. He put his coaching hat on for a little bit there, and worked closely with James Sicily, reviewing Sis’ games, which I think probably helped him when he came back in so he wasn't sort of trying to find his feet, and that's why we're able to see him impact straight away in finals again, in a few different roles.”

Josh Battle (26 games, 18.5 disposals, All Australian)

“I think with JB, he's similar to Dimma. He makes all these teammates around him better. He's very diligent, very team-oriented and always wants to play on the best forward. He's pretty handy for me to have when I think in Opening Round, he played on Tom Papley, but then he can go and shut down Charlie Curnow as well. It's a pretty good tool to have at my disposal. But I thought we also saw his offensive game as well, where he could run and use his weapons on offence, use his run, his carry and his kicking ability as well. He had a great first season in Hawks colours.” 

Bodie Ryan (Yet to debut)

“Bodes probably tried out a few different positions. We saw him on the wing a little bit this year. He definitely showed some glimpses of what he's capable of. He was really good and composed with ball in hand, especially in traffic as well. I think that was a moment he'll never forget (kicking a VFL Semi Final game-winning goal), it was a pretty amazing moment for him. He had ice in his veins to kick that.”

James Blanck (19 VFL games, 8.1 disposals)

“I think for Blancky, he didn't miss a game. Once he came back to footy, he didn't miss a game. I think it just shows his resilience and his mindset. He probably didn't play the best footy that he would have liked, but for him to play every game after what he went through last year is an exceptional effort. I think he'd be better for a full preseason under his belt, and we’re looking forward to next year.”

Tom Barrass (25 games, 9.7 disposals, 6 spoils)

“Tom was great. I thought he probably would have seen some teething problems, but I thought he moulded with the boys really well, and then I thought at the back end of the year, we really saw what he's capable of. So playing on those big key forwards, but also impacting in the air, whether it's with a big spoil or a contested mark, he's definitely someone who makes all his teammates around him better, because he can shut out that really dangerous key forward for us.”

Bailey Macdonald (6 games, 5.3 disposals)

“Bailey, unfortunately, couldn't play in any other spot than starting as the sub. But I thought he really developed as a player, whether that was at VFL level, working on his craft, or when he came into the AFL, we saw some really good attributes with obviously his run and his speed. Something he's been working incredibly hard on is his kicking, and I thought we saw some really good glimpses of that when he was at AFL level.”

Watch Kade Simpson’s full backline review below