Hawthorn defender Tom Barrass enjoyed a brilliant victory in his first game at his new club, but admits he needs to do some “homework” ahead of his next match.

Barrass’ Hawks surged to a 20-point win over Sydney in a pulsating start to the AFL season.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Injury update after Hawks’ win over Swans.

The 29-year-old conceded three goals to direct opponent Joel Amartey, but slotted in seamlessly in the backline alongside fellow recruit Josh Battle.

The new defenders allowed skipper James Sicily to roam free at times and push forward in the final term to kick a crucial goal.

But while Barrass, who played 150 games across 10 years at West Coast, looked at home down back, it was a different story in the rooms after the match.

Barrass and Battle were showered with water in the centre of the circle as is customary for players in their first win at the club, but that wasn’t the uncomfortable part.

When they begun to sing the song, Barrass would be glad that the cameras weren’t fixed on him because he later admitted that he didn’t know any of the words.

“I had no idea what the words were, I have to admit.” he told Triple M.

“And there was a little tempo change there that got me as well. A bit of homework for me now.”

Immediately after the match, Barrass praised coach Sam Mitchell and the club for helping him settle into his new surrounds.

“Love Mitch, he and the support staff, they create a really great environment, they make you feel comfortable coming to the club and asking questions and learning,” he told Channel 7.

“I knew what I was in for with Mitch — he’s a pretty ruthless dude, but he’s also really worked hard on the other side of his coaching, bringing us back to the fundamentals, the stuff that’s lovely about footy and I think we did that tonight.”

Fellow new defender Battle echoed Barrass’ comments.

“We’ve learnt a lot, we’re still learning. Obviously different systems, but the boys have been great, just learning off them it’s been really good,” he added.

After not winning a game last year until Round 6, the Hawks surged into early 2025 premiership favouritism, ahead of the Lions, following their impressive win over the Swans.

Vice-captain Dylan Moore’s appearance at the airport on Saturday was in stark contrast to almost 12 months ago when he was fuming following a poor defeat on the Gold Coast that left Hawthorn 0-5.

The dynamic forward then told his teammates to “bring your mouthguard” to training.

“The mouthguards thing was all a little saga, but it was more just at training,” Moore said on Saturday.

“We didn’t bring the intensity and we weren’t trying hard enough.

“And we know if we don’t try hard enough as a football club, we’re not going to be able to perform in any type of game.

“The mentality was that training is going to be tougher, then the games hopefully they get easier.”

- With AAP