WHEN Laura Stone was coming up in her junior years, she had two distinct rituals to set her up for game day. 

She ate the same carb-loaded pasta meal the night before, and she wore a very recognisable, fluorescent pink headband. 

These days, the young Hawthorn star has moved on from rigid superstition. Now just running out with her simple ponytail, the pink headband (and its spare) sits in her game day bag as a homage to her junior years. 

"I have two (pink headbands) actually and I keep them in my footy bag. I guess that's kind of a little good luck thing. I don't wear them anymore, but I guess I like to have them in there, just as a little reminder my junior days," Stone told AFL.com.au. 

"I used to be quite superstitious, especially with that headband. But I feel like I've tried to kind of lay off on them, because I feel like it can kind of get me thinking more about those little things rather than the actual game." 

Even without her rituals Stone's form has not wavered - if anything she's excelled. 

Swapping superstition for instinct and preparation, the 20-year-old's confidence on field has firmly placed the label of "breakout year" onto her 2026 season. 

"I'd say a big thing for me was just trying to build on my confidence this year, while also adjusting to the level of footy," Stone said ahead of Saturday night's semi-final against Carlton.

"I've become a lot more comfortable in just trusting my instincts, which, obviously, hasn't happened overnight, but I feel like it's been a big focus for me to build on over the year, and just backing myself in different situations. 

"I just tried to gain a better understanding of my role in the team and how I can impact games, which has helped me play with a bit more freedom and not holding back as much.

"Playing at this level, you're in at the club all the time, and surrounded by great people and great resources, so I think just knowing on game day that I've done the work, and us as a team have done the work. 

"It's knowing I'm prepared and I've done what I needed to do."

Stone's ascendency into the reliable player she's become couldn't come at a better time, with the Hawks vastly improving in the latter half of the season to claim their first finals victory in a hard-fought win over Gold Coast. 

And Stone was key to that performance. With 21 disposals, six clearances, eight score involvements and two goals, the midfielder produced maximum damage around the ground. 

Furthermore, with impressive games from fellow midfielders Eliza West and Jas Fleming in the last two weeks, it feels like everything is clicking for the Hawks at the right moment, even if it did come at a cost of the re-jigged midfield. 

Because when their skipper and arguably their most experienced midfielder in Emily Bates went down with an ACL injury in round five, the Hawks midfield group suddenly had to switch things up. 

After all, they're some big boots to fill, and according to Stone it takes more than just one player to fill them. 

"It was really devastating for 'Batesy', because she does have such a strong presence on the field, and it's just such a great person to be around," Stone said. 

"I think as a midfield group we've really embraced the challenge of stepping up collectively. Because it's not about just the one person trying to fill her shoes, but everyone taking on that extra bit of responsibility and finding different ways to contribute. 

"We probably have had to connect a lot more and just trust each other in our strengths and what each individual can bring to the group. Because, obviously, she did play such a massive, and she still does play such a massive role in our team. 

"I feel like we just didn't think too hard into it. We obviously knew we just all had to step up individually. And I think we've done that well and played our different roles." 

Just because Bates is no longer out there on the ground with them, it doesn't mean she isn't having a profound impact in leading her team through this finals campaign. Now taking up her new position either on the bench or in the coaches' box, 'Batesy' is her team's No.1 cheerleader. 

"Knowing how competitive she is and how much she loves her footy, it's so hard for her, but I think she's also been really impressive in the way she's continued to lead and get around everyone while she's been going through such a difficult time," Stone said. 

"And it's so important, especially for me as a young player coming through to have her by my side. 

"She's been really helpful for our midfield group because she has so much knowledge and experience, but also during pre-game. She's just been great at getting around each individual, giving them what they need, and helping them out with any tips." 

It's been an up and down season for the Hawks, but that connection piece seems to be their overarching theme coming into the end of 2026 as they look to finish finals strongly. 

Not only have they needed to find different ways to gel in a new-look midfield, but they've strengthened their mentality as an entire team. 

"I feel like over the last few weeks we found just a lot of connection amongst the group, and not being too hard on ourselves, either. That's just more like off the field and mentality stuff," Stone said. 

"I feel like just bringing our pressure and just playing our roles individually. It's just really important. It's sticking to the process with what we do. It's just made it a lot more fun, and I think benefitted us as well.

"Our best footy, we've shown it, and then we've obviously had some ups and downs … but we've just showed what we can do. 

"Building into finals, we want to make the most of everything and focus on this, and this is obviously the most important time of the year. The season was what it was, but I think this is the most important time that we can get things right.

"We have a lot of different players in our team that have different finals experiences as well. So just utilising that. Mentality is a huge thing. I feel like we've touched on it a lot this year. Your brain, I guess, is quite powerful in how you perform. So just not overthinking everything, sticking to the process and controlling what they control, is probably how we would get our best footy."

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