For all that Hawthorn accomplished in 2025, Hawks fans would rightly feel as if their side never had a proper chance to realise its full potential.
Well in the contest of the preliminary final against Geelong at half time, there was no doubt the Will Day-sized hole left a mountain to overcome, as the Cats surged to victory in the second half.
Injury had restricted Day's 2025 season to just six games - a campaign that started with thoughts of a Brownlow, and ended with the disappointment knowing that his presence alone could've very well been the difference between playing in a Grand Final, and watching from the couch.
For as good as Jai Newcombe is, the Hawks' midfield ran just a little too thin. And with the inevitable departure of James Worpel that off-season, reinforcements were needed in the team's engine room.
MORE: Why letting Lachie Neale go could be a "win" for Brisbane, according to Kane Cornes
Zach Merrett, the disgruntled superstar midfielder at arch rivals Essendon, was exactly what the Hawks needed. Disgruntled and tired of losing, Hawthorn committed to throwing the kitchen sink at the Bombers to lure the three-time All-Australian out of the club. But a proud and stubborn club, Essendon refused to deal their then-captain to their bitter enemies, and the rest is history.
Merrett, who soon after relinquished his captaincy, has to walk back into Windy Hill with his tail between his legs. And to begin 2026, Hawthorn now have to roll out a midfield that has no Merrett, no Worpel, and once again, no Will Day, with the 24-year-old facing another injury setback in the pre-season.
On Monday, Day underwent shoulder surgery that is set to sideline him for four months, essentially ruling him out for at least the first half of the Hawks' season.
If Day's absence potentially cost Hawthorn a Grand Final berth last year, it could cost them a finals appearance this year. The Hawks will be running the gauntlet in the first half of 2026, facing a plethora of finals-contending teams - Giants, Swans, Cats, Bulldogs (twice), Suns, Pies, Dockers, Crows, Saints. All of those fixtures before their round 13 bye, a sensible time for Day to return.
To make matters worse, the Hawks emerge from the bye with blockbuster fixtures against the Giants and Suns, before some potential relief as they face the Demons, Blues, Tigers, Bombers and Kangaroos in consecutive weeks.
But by the time their "easy" stretch comes around, it could be too little, too late. The Hawks will be battling elite midfields while having arguably only one proven midfielder themselves in Jai Newcombe.
The defining question of their season will now come down to whether or not they can rely on hybrid players and youngsters to support Newcombe until Day returns.
Dylan Moore and Jack Ginnivan both showed their ability last season to go inside and win the ball, but will they be suited to doing that full-time for three months straight? They will have to withstand significantly more wear-and-tear, and it also means less weapons forward of the ball. A similar question could be asked of Nick Watson.
Hawthorn do have a number of young midfielders that could step up, too, with Josh Ward and Cam Mackenzie being the most notable. But is it asking too much of them to carry the torch for a team in the premiership hunt this early in their careers?
Perhaps the Hawks' biggest weapon though is outside the lines, and up in the coaches box. Sam Mitchell has been lauded as a "genius," and the brown-and-gold may need every bit of his brilliance if they are to remain towards the top in 2026.