In a physical clash, the Hawks got the best of the Swans on Friday afternoon, with both sides missing chunks of their best 21.
The recruitment of key forward Jac Dupuy has proved an immediate success, with the former Sun kicking two goals from eight disposals, including an impressive snap out of the ruck. Her positioning straightened up the Hawks in the front half, allowing Aine McDonagh (13 disposals, two goals) to play more of a mid-sized, agile attacking role.
SWANS v HAWKS Full practice match stats
Kaitlyn Ashmore (16 disposals, two goals) moved from the wing to inside the contest, making the most of her line-breaking run and setting up plenty of attack, and Casey Sherriff offered the same with her booming boot from the back half.
The Hawks moved the ball with speed, and capitalised on any errors coming from an under-strength Sydney outfit.
Second-year player Grace Baba played the whole game down back, shaking off an early leg concern to impact in the absence of Emily Everist.
Meanwhile Lucy Wales successfully made her return from serious surgery that saw her miss the last month of the 2025 season.
Sofia Hurley (15 disposals, seven tackles) was Sydney’s best, moving with class and precision across the field, and Chloe Molloy played purely as a midfielder on her return from a back issue that ended her 2025 season prematurely.
New recruits Taylor Smith (three goals) and Maddie Quinn (one goal) paired well ahead of the ball for the Swans, but the side tended to lose shape in the front half making scores hard to come by.
With Alice Mitchell (ACL) out this year, Lexi Hamilton took up a key post role behind the ball, and Indiana Williams played in defence just days after being signed as a replacement.
Positively, ruck Ally Morphett (15 disposals, 23 hitouts) appears to be back to her best, and young defenders Lara Hausegger (14 disposals) and Ash Van Loon (nine intercepts, 13 disposals) stayed calm despite the Hawks’ attacking onslaught.
SYDNEY 0.1 0.2 2.4 5.4 (34)
HAWTHORN 3.1 3.5 4.9 8.11 (59)
GOALS
Sydney: Smith 3, Quinn, Grunden
Hawthorn: McDonagh 2, Dupuy 2, Ashmore 2, Bodey, Bates
NOTABLE ABSENCES
Sydney: Imogen Brown, Zippy Fish, Laura Gardiner, Jasmine Grierson, Montana Ham, Emma Juneja, Tanya Kennedy, Amelia Martin, Julie O’Sullivan, Lulu Pullar
Hawthorn: Najwa Allen, Maya Dear, Mackenzie Eardley, Jasmine Fleming, Tamara Smith, Laura Stone, Elli Symonds, Matilda Van Berkel
