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‘He’s a little bit like Sam Mitchell’ | 01:00
A third-year Hawthorn midfielder, touted by his teammates this pre-season as a ‘breakout’ candidate, has drawn comparisons to how his coach used to play. Plus, a star recruit is gelling wonderfully with his new backline buddies.
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Try to recall Sam Mitchell at his evasive best; his explosivity at stoppage, dynamic lateral movements, and arching of the back to escape traffic.
Dylan Moore says a 21-year-old midfield teammate moves like their coach did in his heyday.
“Lighting up the track; Cam Mackenzie,” Moore told Foxfooty.com.au.
“He came in and he played some pretty good footy early on (last season), but I don’t think he’s shown everyone what he’s capable of. But this pre-season, he’s been pretty good through the midfield.
“He’s got silky foot skills. He’s a little bit like Sam Mitchell, in ways, where he’s able to get out of traffic and out of congestion pretty easily. He’s one to look out for.”
A former first-round draft pick, Mackenzie hasn’t yet fulfilled the lofty expectations bestowed upon him after the Hawks selected him No.7 overall in 2022.
The Sandringham product played 14 games in his debut season before another 20 last year, but his influence wasn’t felt to the fullest extent among a bevy of talented engine room teammates.
Mackenzie, who averaged 15.0 disposals and 2.3 clearances per game last year and gathered his possessions both inside and outside congestion, played every Hawthorn match from Round 1-18 before being ‘managed’ out of the side in Round 19.
He battled his way back in to play Rounds 22-24, only to miss the Hawks’ pair of finals appearances due to a hamstring injury.
What has jumped out most about Mackenzie throughout the pre-season? “His lateral movement,” according to Moore.
“From inside to out, inside a contest moving outwards, he’s pretty hard to tackle. I think a lot of teams are going to struggle finding ways to stop him from the inside out.”
Amid Hawthorn’s unanticipated and astronomical rise to close the 2024 home-and-away season, winning 11 of 13 games after Round 11 to finish seventh, Mackenzie had to battle for midfield minutes.
Jai Newcombe notched a career-best 24 Brownlow votes last season to lead all Hawks for the third year running, while Will Day, despite injury strife at the back end of the campaign, continued to build his reputation as one of the competition’s lethal forward-of-centre ball-users.
James Worpel and Conor Nash also elevated their level of play, while Finn Maginness and Josh Ward are on the fringes.
But while competition for senior places will come even harder this year than last, Connor Macdonald believes “pretty special” traits make Mackenzie capable of producing a career-best effort in 2025.
“I think what a lot of people don’t know about Cam is just how good of an athlete he is,” Macdonald told Foxfooty.com.au.
“His side-to-side movement and agility (are) pretty special. He’s able to get himself a lot of time and space, which makes him look really good with his skills (because) he has those really good skills.
“He’s one that can definitely break out, given the right opportunity. I think he’s been stuck behind some very good players for a few years … I think he can do some special things.”
And while Mackenzie might be able to fly under the radar to begin the year, there is no hiding the influence that high-profile recruits Josh Battle and Tom Barrass will have on Hawthorn’s continued ascent.
Battle, who is “really enjoying” his Hawks integration, spoke of bonding with his fellow-fresh-faced defensive teammate.
“‘TB’ (Barrass) has been awesome; it’s been good to have a mutual connection in both leaving clubs to come to Hawthorn,” Battle told Foxfooty.com.au.
“It’s been a lot easier having ‘TB’ here to settle in, and alongside the likes of Sic and these guys, we’re really looking forward to playing alongside these people.”
In his final year with St Kilda, Battle averaged 17.8 disposals and 7.6 marks per game, which are categorised as elite figures among the league’s key defenders. He also racked up an elite-rated 14.6 effective disposals per game and lost just 18.8 per cent of his defensive one-on-one contests.
Understandably, the 26-year-old is excited to play alongside Barrass and versatile skipper James Sicily, but he has also been “really amazed” by another back-half teammate.
“They (Sicily and Barrass) both definitely read the ball really well and are strong in contests, (and) even Josh Weddle, he’s really amazed me (with) the way he goes about it,” Battle said.
“He’s an absolute weapon; the way he can run, can kick. I think he’s going to be a special player, too.”
Battle, who says his ability to “read the ball and help defend” are his best traits but added “helping attack” was also a focus, explained the biggest drawcard in deciding to cross over to Waverley Park from Moorabbin.
“I think, for me, I’m really looking forward to the next phase of my career,” the gun interceptor said.
“I was at the Saints for eight years, I really loved my time there, but for where I am now with my family, I just think this is the perfect fit for myself and my family.
“I can’t wait for the next few years here at the Hawks, and hopefully we can have some success.”