In an eagerly awaited clash, Hawthorn will face Carlton on Thursday night, March 20, 2025, at the iconic MCG. The match carries significant weight for both teams, with numerous player changes shaping their lineups.
Hawthorn welcomes back defender Changkuoth Jiath and veteran forward Jack Gunston, both of whom are set to make an impact after recovering from injuries. Jiath, who has suffered from a series of injuries over the past two seasons, missed the first weeks of this year due to a hip issue. Meanwhile, Gunston is making his season debut, hoping to bolster the Hawks’ offense after sitting out the initial matches. Their return follows the suspension of Jack Scrimshaw, forcing a tactical reshuffle for the side.
Conversely, Carlton has seen just one alteration in its roster, with star forward Charlie Curnow making a timely return from a knee issue. After an extensive training block in recent weeks, Curnow's presence is expected to enhance Carlton’s attacking potency, hence his inclusion in place of Francis Evans, who was omitted from the team.
Hawthorn, under coach Sam Mitchell, comes into the match looking to solidify its standing following a 26-point victory over Essendon last week. Despite the win, Mitchell has voiced concerns regarding his team’s performance in clearances, admitting that they recorded 19 fewer than their opponents. "We certainly want to control our own narrative for the game as much as we can," Mitchell stated, emphasizing the need for his team to set the tone from the outset.
Carlton enters the game looking to rebound after a shocking loss to Richmond in their season opener. Their coach, Michael Voss, has been quite measured about Curnow's return, asserting that the team’s success hinges on collective performance, not just on the addition of a single player. “We’re not in the conversation around one person is going to make a difference. What makes us different is staying connected as an 18-man team, we’ve spoken a lot about squad mentality. That’s what gets the job done,” Voss noted.
The forthcoming match not only signifies a chance for Carlton to right the ship early in the season but also to showcase the potential chemistry between Curnow, Harry McKay, and Brodie Kemp in the forward line. Voss reflected on this dynamic, indicating that Curnow's readiness is a positive development for the Blues’ strategy.
Looking at the tactical matchups, one of the critical areas will be the center bounces, where Carlton excels. They have been particularly effective at converting center bounce opportunities into scores, a trend Mitchell acknowledged in his pre-game assessment. “Carlton’s potency, their centre bounce numbers are extraordinary. They’re a very, very good scoring team from centre bounce, so right from the start we know that we have to be very good to make sure we can get the game on our terms as early as possible,” he said, indicating his side's focus on crucial early moments in the match.
The game will also mark a milestone for Blake Acres, who will play his 50th match for Carlton since joining at the start of the 2023 campaign. Acres has been a consistent figure, missing just two matches in that span and contributing to the team’s ambitions.
As the hawks and blues prepare for Thursday night’s contest, the stakes are certainly high. With both teams desperate for a positive outcome to set the tone for the rest of their seasons, fans can expect an intense showdown at the MCG. The clash kicks off at 7:30 PM AEDT, with both coaches and their respective teams prepared to leave nothing to chance.
