Hawthorn inside the club: scuffles, James Sicily ankle injury, Dylan Moore, Lloyd Meek

It became the subject of some friendly infighting in preseason, and there was much feuding at the Hawks’ first official club slugfest in Bundoora.

Last week James Sicily and Sam Butler got to work, this time one of the bigger disagreements was between Denver Grainger-Barras and Connor McDonald.

A late loss just before half-time brought the pair together and soon there were many others joining the teams split between probabilities and possibilities.

The concern for key defender Grainger-Barras was that he was starting out in the second team, which consisted mostly of Box Hill VFL players, and was struggling to make an impact.

MOORE PLEASE

There was no contract hangover for Dylan Moore, who was clearly the dominant striker for the night.

He burned particularly early on the pitch, scoring three goals in the first half and setting up several more.

Moore’s career resurrection from near the scrap heap to a key board of the Hawks’ future was signed last week when he penned a three-year deal.

New signing Fergus Greene, also nearly lost to the AFL before being snapped up by the Hawks as a free agent, continued to impress with two goals in the role of Jack Gunston.

NO RISK SKIPPER

The man most believe will be named captain in the coming days, James Sicily, was the game’s only unlucky injury.

Sicily came off the floor early in the third quarter after rolling his left ankle and was immediately ruled out of further action.

The Hawks were not concerned afterward, saying he was only removed as a precaution.

RUCK’N ROLL

Former docker Lloyd Meek is already looking like one of the best pick-ups of the off-season.

The big man was handsome, but it was his presence up front that would have made Sam Mitchell happy.

With Mitch Lewis missing the first part of the season, the Hawks will need a big presence at depth, and in the second quarter Meek showed he’ll fill the bill.

A superb mark and an easy goal delighted the faithful and his combination with young gun Ned Reeves will be a valuable asset this season.

Another Boom recruit, Karl Amon, contracted leather poisoning running up and down the wing.

WORTH THE WAIT

The two standout draftees in the game were Henry Hustwaite and top 10 pick Cam Mackenzie, both of whom provided exciting insights into midfield.

Hustwaite, the No. 37 draft pick last year, was great in traffic and one avid Hawks fan called it “Pendlebury-like”.

The Hawks’ favorite youngster, Will Day, continued to hone his craft in midfield, where he looks made for 2024.

Ex-Pie Callum Brown didn’t see too much of that in his bid to clinch the last spot on the Hawks roster before the preseason supplemental list deadline.

He started in the back pocket for the seconds, which wasn’t ideal, but he had support in the stands with his father Gavin, the former Collingwood champion and North assistant who made his way to LaTrobe University.

Originally released as Hawthorn Intra-Club: Plenty of Scuffles, Sicily Paused, Dylan Moore Stars, Young Wild Ones Shine