Hawthorn’s finals campaign has been nothing short of remarkable, and young star Josh Weddle believes the Hawks’ belief in themselves could carry them all the way to a historic grand final appearance. Heading into a preliminary final clash with Geelong at the MCG on Friday night, Hawthorn sits in eighth place on the AFL ladder—a position that normally carries little hope of a premiership push. But for Weddle, that ranking is irrelevant.
“Taking on the Cats in a preliminary final at the MCG on Friday night, the Hawks are one win away from a grand final and two from putting a line in the record books as the first team to win from as low as eighth,” he said.
After knocking off GWS and pulling off a stunning upset against minor premiers Adelaide on their home turf, Hawthorn’s path to the final four has been filled with memorable moments. Weddle says that while their ladder position might suggest otherwise, the team has never felt out of place among the league’s elite.
“It doesn't really feel like we finished eighth,” the 21-year-old playmaker said. “I feel like once the finals come around it's like the top four get a double chance, but after that the seeds don't really matter. But I think that we already have that sort of mentality that sometimes not everyone believes in us and that we've come into this final series to prove something. We already have that sort of instilled within the group, that we've got belief that we can beat anyone.”
Weddle’s words reflect the growing confidence of a young squad determined to make history. While the Hawks have long been known for their tenacity and fighting spirit, this season has been a clear example of a group willing to back themselves against the odds. Their finals campaign has showcased not just skill, but a strong mental resolve to challenge the league’s traditional powerhouses.
The path hasn’t been easy for Weddle personally. A bone stress injury in his back sidelined him for two months, leaving the defender wondering if he would even see action in the finals. Making his return in week one of the finals, Weddle has been gradually reintegrated into team training, managing “general soreness” but ensuring he’s fit for the crucial preliminary final against the Cats.
“The first week when I found out about the injury I definitely didn't think there was going to be a chance (of returning this season),” he admitted. “After about two or three weeks the doctors and physios were really pleased with how things were going and I was like, 'wow, I'm actually going to come back and play footy'.”
Geelong, meanwhile, finished second on the ladder and has had a strong finals series of its own. After easily defeating reigning premiers Brisbane in the qualifying final, the Cats will arrive at the MCG in confident form. Historically, Geelong has had the upper hand against Hawthorn, winning the last four meetings and six of the last seven encounters.
But Weddle believes past results are only a small part of the story. The Hawks’ youthful energy and belief in their own ability could neutralize any historical advantage.
“It’s a big rivalry, and there’s been some good tests over the years, and they’ve had the number on us on the previous Easter Monday matches,” he said. “Geelong are a very good football club and they’ve been playing some very stellar footy at the moment, so I expect it to be a hot game at the start. For all the other boys that grew up as Hawthorn supporters, they would obviously know a bit more about it. But watching those prelims 10 years ago, they’re pretty unreal, so hopefully it can be another spectacular game like that.”
The young Hawks side brings a fresh energy to the finals series. Many of the players have grown up watching Hawthorn’s past glory days, and now they have a chance to carve out their own place in club history. Weddle’s leadership on the field is a key part of that, as his confidence inspires his teammates to believe that anything is possible.
The stakes are high, but the Hawks have demonstrated that their best football is often produced under pressure. This finals campaign has seen them overcome injuries, a challenging ladder position, and the expectations of many doubters. Weddle says that this combination of resilience and belief is exactly what the team needs to continue their run.
“We’ve had belief that we can beat anyone,” Weddle reiterated. “That’s the mentality that we’re taking into this preliminary final. It’s about playing our footy, trusting our structures, and backing each other on the field. That’s what finals footy is about—handling pressure, seizing opportunities, and not being intimidated by history or ladder positions.”
As Hawthorn prepares for Friday night’s showdown, the atmosphere at the MCG is expected to be electric. Fans will witness a young, ambitious team determined to break records and prove that finals football is anyone’s game. For Josh Weddle and his teammates, the focus remains simple: one game at a time, one challenge at a time, and the belief that they can beat anyone standing in their way.
If the Hawks can navigate past Geelong, they will not only reach the grand final but also secure a place in AFL history as the first team to win from eighth position. Weddle’s confidence, hard work, and return from injury symbolize the team’s journey this season—a story of resilience, skill, and unwavering belief in themselves.
The MCG will host a clash that promises to be thrilling, as a young Hawthorn side aims to prove that finals are not just for the top four, but for anyone willing to believe and fight for their moment of glory.
