19. Jack Gunston

If Jack Gunston wasn’t already one of the game’s most dangerous forwards, he is now.

The key forward has taken his game to another level in 2016, stepping up in the absence of fellow star Jarryd Roughead to be one of the Hawks’ forward line leaders.

Gunston has played every game, kicking 33 goals – including multiple goals in nine matches – and leads the club for marks (92) and marks inside 50 (32).

But it’s not his ability to not just hit the scoreboard individually, it’s also his ability to create opportunities for others that has made him so important for the Hawks this season.

Key moment: With four minutes until half-time against the Sydney Swans and the Hawks trailing by five goals, Jack Gunston launched a 60-metre set shot goal to spark his side into action. The Hawks ended up falling just short against the Swans, but Gunston starred with four goals, 11 marks and 18 disposals.

AFL matches: 14
Disposals per game: 16.1
Goals: 33 (1st at Hawthorn)
Marks: 92 (1st at Hawthorn)
Marks inside 50: 32 (1st at Hawthorn)
Contested marks: 22 (2nd at Hawthorn)

21. James Sicily

In his third season as an AFL player, James Sicily has stamped himself as one of the competition’s rising stars.

Sicily has played every game this season, kicking 22 goals and earning a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for his five-goal haul against North Melbourne in Round 13.

The young Hawk has spent time in attack and defence to develop his versatility, but has done his best work close to goal, playing important hands in wins against the Roos, West Coast Eagles, Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast Suns.

Key moment: It’s hard to separate two. Sicily’s second half against the Roos, where he kicked four of his five goals for the match in a finals-like atmosphere, was superb, as was his set shot match-winner against the Bulldogs in Round 3.

AFL matches: 14
Disposals per game: 11.9
Goals: 22 (5th at Hawthorn)
Contested marks: 25 (1st at Hawthorn)
Marks inside 50: 22 (2nd at Hawthorn)

23. Tim O'Brien

With each game at AFL level, emerging forward Tim O’Brien appears to be growing in confidence.

O’Brien had played just four games before 2016, but has gone into the bye having played 11 consecutive, showing an ability to make an impact in attack and defence.

The 22-year-old’s ability to fly for big contested marks, halve contests and bring the ball to ground for the Hawks’ dangerous small forward has been a feature of his game.

Key moment: Like Sicily, there are two moments that stand out for Tim O’Brien. The first being his clutch goal from deep in the right hand forward pocket to ice the game against Melbourne in Round 11, and the second being his Mark of the Year contender against North Melbourne two weeks later.

AFL matches: 11
Disposals per game: 9.6
Goals: 11

VFL matches: 1

25. Ryan Schoenmakers

Unfortunately, injury has prevented premiership forward Ryan Schoenmakers from building on his brilliant form at the business end of 2015.

Schoenmakers has played just four games in 2016 – three at AFL level and one at VFL level – as he’s battled a rare hip/pelvic injury.

There’s no set time frame on his return, but the Hawks are hoping he will be back on the park later in the season.

AFL matches: 3
Disposals per game: 7.3
Goals: 1

VFL matches: 1

32. Jack Fitzpatrick

Similarly to Schoenmakers, Fitzpatrick’s first season as a Hawk has been hampered by injury.

The former Demon sustained a knee injury during the NAB Challenge, before coming back and being concussed in his fourth game at VFL level.

Fitzpatrick has been out of action for a month and a half, but the Hawks hope the versatile big man can get back to playing soon and have an impact in the second half of the season.

VFL matches: 4

35. Ryan Burton

Hawthorn’s first selection (pick 19) in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, Ryan Burton showed some real signs of potential early in the season.

A major knee injury kept the key forward out of action for the whole of 2015, and he found his way back to footy with a couple of VFL games early in the season.

Ryan Burton prepares to kick during a VFL practice match early in the year.

Since then, Burton has had surgery on the same knee, but is now back in training and will be looking to return in the second half of the season.

VFL matches: 2

38. Luke Surman

After an interrupted pre-season with a back injury, first-year rookie Luke Surman has started to string together some consistent game time with Box Hill Hawks’ development side.

Surman has now played six matches – one at senior VFL level – and has kicked eight goals, including three a fortnight ago in the VFL development league against Frankston.

The former basketballer was drafted as a long-term key position prospect, and is developing nicely.

VFL matches: 1
VFL development matches: 5