Hawthorn Football Club has encountered a downturn in form despite a promising start to the 2024 season. The team has recently registered two successive losses, causing them to fall out of the top four positions in the league. Former player Matthew Lloyd expressed concerns that the team is grappling with widespread issues, indicating that they are struggling to progress from being a top-eight team to a serious premiership contender.
In a segment on Nine’s Footy Classified, Lloyd noted that coach Sam Mitchell, typically seen as a commanding figure, has also shown signs of frustration during matches. He highlighted the struggles of key players like James Sicily and Tom Barrass in defence, alongside a midfield that has been overrun by opponents such as Gold Coast and Brisbane. The team’s forward line, too, has been inconsistent, leading Lloyd to conclude that they have problems across all areas.
Lloyd further elaborated on the challenges of transitioning from finals contenders to top-four contenders, referencing insights from Leigh Matthews, who emphasised the difficulty of making this leap. Currently, Hawthorn appears to be far from making that progress.
Captain James Sicily is among those facing significant challenges, with a noticeable decline in his performance, particularly in his kicking accuracy. He has disclosed that he is battling a groin injury, which Lloyd believes is hindering more than helping his contributions on the field. Lloyd advocates for Sicily to consider sitting out until he recovers fully, recalling how a similar situation affected James Hird in a past grand final.
As Hawthorn prepares for a critical showdown against Collingwood at the MCG this Friday night, there is pressure on the team to reverse their fortunes and re-establish their claim as serious contenders in the league.