Season opener ends in thriller as 'heavyweight' Hawks down Swans

The Hawks are off and running in season 2025, defeating the Swans by 20 points at the SCG on Friday night.

Sydney's Joel Amertey and Hawthorn's Will Day both finished the match with three goals apiece as the Hawks triumphed 14.12 (96) to 11.10 (76) in sopping conditions.

Hawthorn's new recruits Tom Barrass and Josh Battle proved a huge difference against last year's grand finalists, as did the starting line-up with Day at full forward and skipper James Sicily on the wing.

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"Never mind the Hollywood (Hawks), they're the heavyweights," Gerard Whateley said in commentary for Fox Footy.

First-game nerves were on display early as the Hawks' Karl Amon and Dylan Moore could only manage a pair of behinds to kick off the affair.

As the ball raced up the other end, it was the Swans' Chad Warner who drew first blood, scoring the opening goal with a snap from a forward 50 stoppage.

The Swans then went back-to-back through Amertey, who converted from a free kick.

The Hawks responded as Moore refused to make the same mistake twice — slotting Hawthorn's first goal from a set shot.

In a hot start to the season opener, centre bounce goals rained supreme as the lead changed hands with every surge forward.

Hawks key forward Mabior Chol sought treatment on the boundary after flying for a high ball and landing heavily on his hip. But he soon returned to the field and was able to play out the rest of the match.

Picking up where he left off last season, All Australian forward Moore quickly scored his second before Day gave Hawthorn a one-goal lead at quarter time.

As the pace slowed in the second term, goals were much harder to come by.

Amertey added his second major before the Swans' skills stalled.

As Hawthorn went on a run of four unanswered goals, Lloyd Meek grabbed his second after benefitting from a 50-metre penalty when a mark was knocked out of hands.

Day finished the first half with 19 disposals, five clearances and three goals as the Hawks led by 20 points at the main break.

In a blow to Hawthorns' midfield, James Worpel limped off with a right ankle injury late in the second quarter and was subbed out of the match at half time.

Physicality between the teams intensified in the second half, and Sydney responded as Amertey and Warner combined for consecutive goals.

This seemed to spark the Swans when Tom McCartin — in his transition forward — scored his first goal in four years.

As rain began to lash the SCG, Sydney unleashed debutant Tom Hanily as Angus Sheldrick was subbed out (tactical).

After staging a third-term resurgence, the hosts trailed by five points with one quarter to play.

Sydney peppered the goals but failed to make an impact as Sicily sealed the match after being swung forward.

Adding to the Swans' woes, Taylor Adams exited the game late with a hamstring complaint.