Aggressive, uncompromising and fiery.
These were some of the adjectives levelled at Hawthorn’s AFL men’s team – dubbed the “unsociable Hawks” – during their three-peat premiership dynasty under coach Alastair Clarkson.
Has a similar unsociable style of footy inspired Hawthorn’s AFLW side in 2025?
Hawks during the AFLW qualifying match against North MelbourneCredit: Getty Images
“I don’t think it’s something necessarily that we’ve gone out of our way to include in our program, but I think it’s something that’s naturally happened with the young people coming through,” Hawks defender Tamara Smith told this masthead.
Across Hawthorn’s men’s and women’s program, Smith said young players who “weren’t afraid to say what they think” were bringing “new, cheeky energy” to the team.
“I actually think it’s quite refreshing for our game,” she said.
“In a traditional sense, our game is very narrowing… you have to fit a certain profile to play, and I think it’s really exciting that now we’re seeing this brand of player that’s completely different, they’re cheeky, and they chat back to the media, and they have this ‘I don’t really care’ attitude.”
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