Kiwi Hawthorn Season Review and Highlights
For Kiwi Hawthorn Rugby Club, the last two seasons have been about one thing above all: returning to the top level of Victorian rugby and proving the club belongs there. After Rugby Victoria approved its comeback to the Dewar Shield for 2025, the club stepped back into the state’s premier competition, then faced a brand-new competition format in 2026.
This review looks at the key moments, standout results, challenges, and positives from Kiwi Hawthorn’s recent seasons, and what they mean for the years ahead.
Setting the Scene: The Return to the Dewar Shield
In December 2024, Rugby Victoria confirmed that Kiwi Hawthorn would rejoin the Dewar Shield for the 2025 season. To earn that place, the club had to show that its on-field and off-field plans were credible and sustainable. Rugby Victoria’s chief executive said the decision was not made lightly.
The return carried real weight. Kiwi Hawthorn has 14 Dewar Shield titles in its history, the most recent in 1996, but it had spent time outside the top division. Coming back meant facing the strongest clubs in Victoria every week with a squad still being rebuilt.
2025 Season Review
The 2025 season was always going to be a learning year. Kiwi Hawthorn opened its campaign at home in Round 1 against Melbourne Unicorns, one of the most successful clubs in the competition, and the gap in experience showed on the scoreboard.
Selected 2025 Results
| Round | Grade | Opponent | Score (Kiwi Hawthorn first) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 1st XV | Melbourne Unicorns | 14 to 86 |
| Round 1 | 2nd Grade | Melbourne Unicorns | 7 to 47 |
| Round 1 | 3rd Grade | Melbourne Unicorns | 27 to 24 |
| Round 3 | 1st XV | Melbourne University | 40 to 14 |
| Round 4 | 1st XV | Power House | 14 to 87 |
Highlight: A Statement Win Over Melbourne University
The standout moment from the early 2025 rounds came in Round 3, when Kiwi Hawthorn’s 1st XV beat Melbourne University 40 to 14. After a tough opening, this result showed the squad could compete with and beat an established Dewar Shield club. A comfortable win at this level is a strong sign for any newly returned side.
Highlight: Third Grade Grit
Depth across grades matters in club rugby, and on opening day the club’s 3rd Grade side delivered a narrow 27 to 24 win over Melbourne Unicorns. On a day when the senior sides struggled against the same club, it was a reminder that the club’s wider playing group was growing.
Challenge: Matching the Top Clubs
Heavy losses to Melbourne Unicorns and Power House highlighted the gap between a rebuilding club and the strongest sides in Victoria. These results were not unusual for a team stepping up a division, but they showed where improvement was needed:
- Physical conditioning to last a full 80 minutes
- Squad depth to cover injuries and availability
- Defensive structure against fast, well-drilled attacks
- Experience in big matches against top-tier opposition
2026: A New Competition Format
For 2026, Rugby Victoria reshaped its senior men’s competitions after reviewing the 2025 season. The aim was tighter contests and a better experience for all clubs. Kiwi Hawthorn was one of ten clubs in the new structure.
| Phase | How It Worked |
|---|---|
| Rugby Victoria Championship | All ten clubs played 1st and 2nd Grade over nine rounds on a combined ladder |
| Divisional split | Top five played for the Dewar Shield, bottom five for the Ward Shield |
| Finals | Four more rounds, then a four-week finals series ending mid-August |
This format gave every club an early chance to prove itself against all opponents before the competition divided. It also meant that a club still building its squad could find more evenly matched contests in the second half of the season.
2026 Season Moments
Kiwi Hawthorn’s 2026 campaign began with a Round 1 defeat to Harlequins, a tough start against a strong side. Later in the season, in Round 11, the club’s 1st XV went down 17 to 34 away to Moorabbin, one of the most successful clubs in Victorian history. Scoring 17 points away against a side of that calibre showed that the gap seen in 2025 had begun to narrow in some matches.
Off-Field Highlights
A season review is not only about scores. Several off-field developments have strengthened the club:
- A modern home: the new Lewin Reserve pavilion in Glen Iris, completed in December 2023, gives the club better change rooms, a social room, and viewing areas
- Growing playing numbers: the club pointed to a growing group of committed players as a key reason for its return to the top level
- Junior pathways: the club’s junior rugby program supports future senior players
- Heritage: recent milestones, including the club’s centenary in 2023, have reconnected former players with current squads
Why the Lower Grades Matter
Much of the attention in club rugby goes to the 1st XV, but a club’s long-term strength is built in its 2nd and 3rd Grade teams. These sides give new players a place to learn, allow injured players to return gradually, and keep experienced club members involved.
For Kiwi Hawthorn, the 3rd Grade win over Melbourne Unicorns in 2025 was a good example. Results like this keep morale high across the club, and players who perform well in the lower grades push for selection higher up. Over time, this healthy competition for places is what turns a rebuilding squad into a consistent one.
The Supporter Experience
Home games at Lewin Reserve have also become more enjoyable for supporters. The new pavilion offers a roof terrace, sheltered seating, and a kiosk, so families and former players have a comfortable place to watch. A strong home crowd can lift a team, especially in close contests against top clubs, and it helps the club attract sponsors and new members.
Key Lessons From the Comeback Seasons
Returning to the top division has taught the club some important lessons:
- Competing at Dewar Shield level requires depth across multiple grades
- Strong results can come quickly, as the Round 3 win in 2025 showed
- Recruitment and player retention are just as important as match-day tactics
- Facilities and community support help attract new players and volunteers
Looking Ahead
Rugby Victoria has targeted 2028 for a full divisional structure with promotion and relegation, and it could arrive sooner if club numbers grow. That makes the next seasons especially important for Kiwi Hawthorn. Consistent performances will help secure the club’s place among Victoria’s leading clubs when the new system begins.
Priorities for the club are likely to include:
- Building squad depth in 1st and 2nd Grade
- Strengthening pre-season fitness and conditioning
- Recruiting players, including newcomers to Melbourne
- Developing junior players into senior ranks
- Growing volunteer and sponsor support
Final Thoughts
Kiwi Hawthorn’s season review shows a proud club in a rebuilding phase. The return to the Dewar Shield brought tough lessons, but also real highlights, including a 40 to 14 win over Melbourne University and gritty performances in the lower grades. With a new competition format, a modern home at Lewin Reserve, and a growing playing group, the club has a clear path toward becoming a strong force in Victorian rugby again.
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