Hawthorn Hawks beat Sydney Swans in AFL 2025 season opener – as it happened
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**7 Mar 2025 06.27 EST**

Are the Hawks legit contenders in 2025? They’ve certainly made a good start towards answering that question in the affirmative, marching onto the home patch of one of last season’s grand finalists and coming away from a 20 point win.

After a high-scoring opening quarter in which the lead changed hands six times, the Hawks kicked away in the second and looked like they might be set to break the game open, only for the Swans to rally back put the game back on a knife-edge heading into three quarter-time. But as they opened up above them, the Hawks were able to rise to the challenge and see the game off.

It feels like a real tone-setter of an opening round win for Sam Mitchell’s side, something that they can look to build on as they look to take the next step as a unit.

For the Swans, meanwhile, not the ideal start to the Dean Cox era. After coming hard to make a game of it in the third quarter, the Hawks were able to shut them down in the last, shutting the door on any attempted comeback. And Oliver Florent’s horror turnover to set up Connor Macdonald’s goal in the fourth quarter is the type of unforced era that will kill any attempted fightback.

Nonetheless, with plenty of players yet to come back into the side there’s no reason to panic just yet. Nonetheless, tonight was perhaps another reminder of how hard it is to maintain the sustained success they’ve enjoyed in recent decades – every new season bringing hungry new challengers eager to claim their place.

**7 Mar 2025 06.44 EST**

Three quarter-time: Sydney 11.5.71 v Hawthorn 11.10.76
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After coming out of the main break in a 20 point deficit, a big third quarter from the Swans has cut the margin to five, setting the first game of the 2025 season up for a grandstand finish.

Sydney kicked five goals to two across the quarter, with Chad Warner and Nick Blakey helping inspire their furious fightback and the influential James Sicily stymied.

James Worpel already wearing a club polo and moon boot after being subbed out of the game with an ankle injury there will be concern amongst the Hawks faithful for Will Day. He needed treatment at the end of the quarter and while the word from the visitor’s camp is that it’s only cramp, it’s absolutely worth keeping an eye on.

The Swans get the ball forward again and force a series of throw-ins in their forward 50 but Hawthorn show good mettle to keep them out.

**7 Mar 2025 06.54 EST**

Half-time: Sydney 6.4.40 v Hawthorn 9.6.60
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The second-half didn’t prove quite as high-scoring as the first but it was one in which the Hawks were able to start flexing their muscle and begin to take control of the game – leading by 20 at the main break.

The visitors kicked four goals to two in that second quarter, with Will Day best on ground to this point with three goals to go along with five clearances and a ground-leading 19 disposals and 357 meters gained.

**7 Mar 2025 05.49 EST**

Half-time: Sydney 6.4.40 v Hawthorn 9.6.60
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The Swans are able to survive a throw-in and ball-up deep in their defensive 50 and clear the ball away. Josh Battle grabs the ball for the Hawks and winds up from range but his effort bounces wide.

It comes to naught, however, as the Swans break forward quickly. Tom Papley can’t take the grab on a ball boomed deep into the 50 but Joel Amartey is hurled to the ground by Josh Battle as he looks to get the crumbs and wins a free kick, one he converts.

**7 Mar 2025 04.49 EST**

Quarter-time: Sydney 4.3.27 v Hawthorn 5.3.33
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Well, if every quarter of the 2025 AFLM season is as entertaining as that one we’re in for an absolute treat this year.

Across an open, attacking opening, the Swans grabbed the first two of the game amidst a clinical opening but the Hawks forced their way back into it and finished the quarter with the momentum. Will Day has been really impressive for the Hawks, while Tom Papley has been big for the hosts.

Both sides have been mostly clean, too with  having a disposal efficiency of 86% and Sydney 81%.

**7 Mar 2025 05.04 EST**

Quarter-time: Sydney 4.3.27 v Hawthorn 5.3.33
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Will Day drives the ball into the forward 50 and while Ben Paton smothers Finn Maginness’ initial attempt, the Hawks are able to keep the ball in attack and eventually work the ball to Maginness. His set shot, however, collects the post.

The 29-year-old shakes off the attention of multiple defenders as he carries the ball into the forward 50 before playing a one-two with Jai Newcombe to spring him into the space he needs to convert. Top goal.

**7 Mar 2025 04.31 EST**

Quarter-time: Sydney 5.3.33 v Hawthorn 5.4.34
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James Sicily is found in the middle of the park and booms a ball into the forward 50, Hardwick can’t take the grab but sticks with it, ensuring that the Hawks are able to keep the ball locked in and earn a ball-up.

It comes to naught, however, as the Swans break forward quickly. Tom Papley can’t grab his second of the game, forced instead to settle for a minor score.

**7 Mar 2025 04.28 EST**

Quarter-time: Sydney 5.3.33 v Hawthorn 5.3.33
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Will Day drives the ball into the forward 50 and while Ben Paton smothers Finn Maginness’ initial attempt, the Hawks are able to keep the ball in attack and eventually work the ball to Maginness. His set shot, however, collects the post.

The 29-year-old shakes off the attention of multiple defenders as he carries the ball into the forward 50 before playing a one-two with Jai Newcombe to spring him into the space he needs to convert. Top goal.

**7 Mar 2025 04.17 EST**

Quarter-time: Sydney 5.3.33 v Hawthorn 5.3.33
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Angus Sheldrick delivers the ball into the Swans’ forward 50 but the Hawks are able to scramble back, intercept and get the ball clear.

**7 Mar 2025 04.15 EST**

Quarter-time: Sydney 5.3.33 v Hawthorn 5.3.33
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Looking to try to snuff out the visitor’s momentum, the visitors get the ball forward once more but Tom Papley can’t grab his second of the game, forced instead to settle for a minor score.

**7 Mar 2025 04.13 EST**

Quarter-time: Sydney 5.2.26 v Hawthorn 5.3.33
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James Sicily intercepts as the Swans look to move the ball forward and it tees the Hawks up to spread out and work the ball forward once again. The ball eventually spills at the top of the goalmouth, allowing Will Day to bustle Angus Sheldrick away before soccering it through.

**7 Mar 2025 04.11 EST**

Quarter-time: Sydney 5.2.26 v Hawthorn 5.3.33
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Will Day drives the ball into the forward 50 and while Ben Paton smothers Finn Maginness’ initial attempt, the Hawks are able to keep the ball in attack and eventually work the ball to Maginness. His set shot, however, collects the post.

The 29-year-old shakes off the attention of multiple defenders as he carries the ball into the forward 50 before playing a one-two with Jai Newcombe to spring him into the space he needs to convert. Top goal.

**7 Mar 2025 04.09 EST**

Quarter-time: Sydney 5.2.26 v Hawthorn 5.3.33
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Angus Sheldrick delivers the ball into the Swans’ forward 50 but the Hawks are able to scramble back, intercept and get the ball clear.

**7 Mar 2025 04.07 EST**

Quarter-time: Sydney 5.2.26 v Hawthorn 5.3.33
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Looking to try to snuff out the visitor’s momentum, the visitors get the ball forward once more but Tom Papley can’t grab his second of the game, forced instead to settle for a minor score.

**7 Mar 2025 04.04 EST**

Quarter-time: Sydney 5.2.26 v Hawthorn 5.3.33
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Angus Sheldrick delivers the ball into the Swans’ forward 50 but the Hawks are able to scramble back, intercept and get the ball clear.

**7 Mar 2025 04.02 EST**

Quarter-time: Sydney 5.2.26 v Hawthorn 5.3.33
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Angus Sheldrick delivers the ball into the Swans’ forward 50 but the Hawks are able to scramble back, intercept and get the ball clear.
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