AFL: Sam Mitchell confident Hawks’ game style is ‘built for finals’ footy

There’s a quiet confidence to Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell ahead of September.

The fourth-placed Hawks have never finished higher on the ladder under Mitchell, but they first face minor premier Fremantle, which is yet to lose at home in 2026.

Mitchell says certain styles and players are better suited to the pointy end of the season, and he believes the Hawks have the game to match it.

“I think all coaches have a level of understanding,” Mitchell said, promoting the Always respect, always DrinkWise campaign.

“That there are certain style of games and players that are more likely to work in season and there are some that are going stand up in the high pressure games

“Certainly, you can’t have your whole game built around finals intensity because that’s not the way the game is played most of the year.

“But the intensity of these games, generally, steps a little bit, so you want to make sure your game style is compatible with finals footy.

“That’s been one of the filters we’ve used in a lot of the decision-making over the past five years.

Hawthorn is one of Fremantle’s 12 Perth Stadium scalps after the Dockers broke the game open with a dazzling fourth quarter.

Mitchell is refreshing during the wildcard week off, stressing the importance of time with family ahead of a busy finals series.

But his initial view is that both teams have evolved and will be armed with different threats by Thursday week.

“We haven’t reviewed it again yet, we will over the next couple weeks of course but their best is very good,” he said.

“We played some pretty good footy that day, we just couldn’t do it for long enough.

“I think both teams have changed quite a bit, that’s probably three months ago … so we need to make sure we’re ready for what they bring and bringing some of our own threats to them is important.”