澳洲女子规则橄榄球联赛（AFLW）新赛季拉开帷幕，霍桑队将于周四晚7:15pm AEST在Ikon Park对阵墨尔本队[1]。墨尔本队迎来新任主教练汤姆·威尔逊的执教首秀，他接替了离职的Mick Stinear[1]。
霍桑队在2025赛季战绩为9-3，但总得分仅451分，在前八名中得分效率排名倒数第二[1]。为了改善这一现状，球队本赛季的重点是提升"风采"和进攻能力[1]。队长Emily Bates强调球队要"打出难缠的防守风格"[1]。本场比赛中，霍桑队将有4名新球员首次亮相，包括AFLW首秀球员Annabelle Embelton以及俱乐部首秀球员Jac Dupuy、Niamh Martin和Poppy Stockwell[1]。
Hawthorn will kick off the 2026 AFLW season against Melbourne at Ikon Park on Thursday at 7:15 pm AEST, with the Hawks looking to sharpen their scoring efficiency after a disappointing finishing record last year [1]. Despite compiling a 9-3 record in 2025, Hawthorn managed only 451 total points, ranking second-last in scoring efficiency among the top eight teams [1]. The new campaign represents an opportunity for the club to emphasize "flair" and attacking prowess, a notable shift in tactical approach [1].
Four players will make their debuts for Hawthorn in the contest: Annabelle Embelton in her AFLW debut, and Jac Dupuy, Niamh Martin, and Poppy Stockwell in their club debuts [1]. Hawks captain Emily Bates has stated that the team's focus remains anchored on executing "tough defensive football" throughout the season [1]. Melbourne will be led by new coach Tom Wilson, who replaced departing coach Mick Stinear and previously served as an assistant at Collingwood [1].