BY JOSH, HE’S QUICK
Running machine keeps up pace as Hawthorn fires up
Josh Weddle carried on his status as the time-trial king at Hawthorn by cruising away from the field in Hawthorn’s return to training on Wednesday.
The young running machine – who will this year take over the No.23 jumper famously worn by Hawthorn legends such as Don Scott, Dermott Brereton and Lance Franklin – powered away from regular winner Finn Maginness with ease.
Weddle previously took out a yoyo test and time-trial late last year in the early weeks of pre-season and showed no signs of slowing down as the Hawks worked through some ball movement drills in hot sunshine on Wednesday morning.
Recruits Jack Ginnivan, sporting a new man-bun hairstyle, and Mabior Chol were in the thick of the action playing typical roles as half-forwards.
The Hawks nearly had a full complement on the track at Waverley, with Chad Wingard (achilles) and Changkuoth Jiath absent.
Wingard was in the gym working on his rehab, while Jiath is on the way back from Qatar, where he has been working through a fitness regimen to put groin, achilles and calf problems behind him.
Veteran Jack Gunston spent some time working away from the main group as he goes through his own program.
Nursed through to the new year while recovering from a sore foot, key forward Mitch Lewis moved freely and took part in the main session.
Youngster Seamus Mitchell also ran laps as his teammates slogged it out.
Assistants Adrian Hickmott and Brett Ratten were in full voice with Sam Mitchell not due back from illness until Monday, while defensive coach Kade Simpson moved like he could still play on one lead up to the ball.
As most Hawks cooled down with some set shots to finish the session, the engine room got together in the middle of Waverley.
Ruck Lloyd Meek and Ned Reeves worked with the regular group of Hawthorn midfielders James Worpel, Conor Nash and Jai Newcombe on some centre bounce strategies.
Youngsters Cam Mackenzie and Henry Hustwaite also joined the group, with Hustwaite showing off quality lateral movement with ball in hand.
Mackenzie spent some time in the guts in his debut season but only had seven centre clearances in 14 matches and may face more time in the middle in 2024.
Forgotten onballer Cooper Stephens and young talent Josh Ward later joined the group.
The Hawks are keen to add to their main group of centre bounce midfielders after seeing some success with the group of Worpel, Nash, Newcombe and Will Day in 2023.