'Not convinced': Hawthorn's great midfield fear exposed in pre-season loss to Western Bulldogs

Hawthorn left the 2025 season fearing they lacked the midfield firepower to compete with the best teams.

Well, with the pre-season now completed, former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley struggles to see any changes that will excite Hawks fans just yet.

It comes as Hawthorn was soundly beaten by the Western Bulldogs in the AAMI Community Series, 117-73 at Whitten Oval.

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The Hawks were all-in on landing Essendon captain Zach Merrett in the trade period, hoping he would become their new midfield focal point.

That trade ultimately fell apart as the Dons stood their ground and the club left the trade period minus on-baller James Worpel, who joined Geelong, and with no star additions.

They then lost gun midfielder Will Day to a significant shoulder injury that will see him miss potentially the first half of the season.

This leaves new captain Jai Newcombe and not a heap else established in that Hawthorn midfield unit to start the season.

When asked if he had seen enough to show Hawthorn had sufficient midfield support for Newcombe, Hinkley called it as he saw it.

"Not convinced," Hinkley told Fox Footy.

"Not convinced that there is a lot.

"There's a few who you can send in for two or three minutes and do a bit, but not pure midfielders.

"You look at the other side, Matt Kennedy, Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards, Tom Liberatore, Ryley Sanders was around. They have a few more."

Garry Lyon agreed, saying there wasn't much on display on Friday night.

"Cam Mackenzie did some stuff where you go 'yeah, he looks clean, he looks capable', Connor Macdonald has had a few moments, but that's it," Lyon said.

The Hawks might not even have Newcombe for Opening Round's clash with GWS as the 24-year-old faces an awkward wait for a tackle that might put him in MRO hot water.

He pinned the arm of Richards and the tackle saw the Bulldog's head hit the turf, though he continued playing.

With the changes to the MRO system, it's unclear whether it will be sufficient force to warrant a one-game ban. He faces a nervous wait.

They will be without young midfielder Mackenzie, who suffered a concussion in the loss. Their depth will certainly be tested on-ball.

Bontempelli led the way for the Dogs with 29 disposals, while Kennedy finished with 28 and Sanders 26.

Sanders looms as the youngster who could break into that star-studded Bulldogs midfield this season.

Small forward Arthur Jones impressed with three goals, while father-son key forward Jordan Croft looks like yet another win for the Dogs with the draft gods, booting three himself.

For the Hawks, Newcombe led the way with 28, while Jarman Impey found 25.

Jack Gunston carried on from his dominant 2025, kicking three goals while Nick Watson showed glimpses of stardom with two of his own.