22. Luke Breust

Dangerous forward Luke Breust is having another outstanding season.

After kicking 57 goals in 2014 and 52 goals in 2015, the three-time premiership forward is on track to match or better those efforts, with 31 goals from 14 games in 2016.

Breust has kicked a goal in every game – including multiple goals in nine, and six against Richmond in Round 7 – but it’s his consistency and also his ability to set up scoring opportunities for others and create pressure inside 50 which makes him an elite player.

The star Hawk ranks second at Hawthorn for goal assists in 2016, and averages close to four tackles per game.

Key moment: Breust's Goal of the Year contender against Fremantle couldn’t have come at a better time. Challenged early by the Dockers, Breust bounced off the behind post, dodged a couple of tackles and snapped truly.

AFL matches: 14
Disposals per game: 16.2
Goals: 31 (2nd at Hawthorn)
Goal assists: 9 (equal 2nd at Hawthorn)
Contested possessions: 115 (2nd at Hawthorn)
Marks inside 50: 21 (3rd at Hawthorn)

28. Paul Puopolo

You could very easily argue that Paul Puopolo is enjoying his best AFL season to date.

Alongside Luke Breust and Cyril Rioli, the 28-year-old has been integral to the Hawks’ success inside 50 in 2016.

Puopolo's tackling pressure (averaging 4.2 per game) remains elite, as is his ability to create play for others – he leads the Hawks for goal assists.

But he’s also had a significant impact on the scoreboard, kicking 25 goals in 14 matches, including match-winning majors against Adelaide and North Melbourne.

Key moment: The entire Adelaide match, capped off by the match-winner. Puopolo was superb with five goals in the Hawks’ nail-biting three-point win against the Crows – and he stepped up to the plate to win the game in the dying seconds with a brilliant set shot.

AFL matches: 14
Disposals per game: 13.9
Goals: 25
Goal assists: 13 (1st at Hawthorn)
Accuracy in front of goal: 67.6 per cent (4th at Hawthorn)
Contested possessions: 113 (4th at Hawthorn)

31. Zac Webster

Soft tissue injuries have restricted Zac Webster so far in 2016.

But he’s back in action with Box Hill Hawks, and has now strung together three consecutive senior VFL matches.

With his ability to attack the ball and the opposition hard – and impact the scoreboard – Webster has earned plaudits in the VFL in recent weeks and could challenge for an AFL debut later this year.

VFL matches: 4
VFL development matches: 5

33. Cyril Rioli

Cyril Rioli’s highlights reel from the first half of the season would be the envy of many.

The star Hawk has been at his brilliant best throughout 2016, proving his match-winning abilities time and time again.

Rioli has kicked 26 goals from 12 matches – including a bag of five against Brisbane Lions in Round 10, and contributions of four in wins against finals contenders West Coast Eagles and Adelaide Crows.

His pressure inside 50 has also been superb – with 75 tackles, Rioli ranks second at Hawthorn this year.

Key moment: It’s almost too hard to choose. An easy-as-you-like left foot banana from the pocket against Western Bulldogs is right up there, but so is his miraculous goal against North Melbourne, where he somehow found his way through a pack of players to run into an open goal.

AFL matches: 12
Disposals per game: 14
Goals: 26 (3rd at Hawthorn)
Tackles: 75 (2nd at Hawthorn)
Marks inside 50: 42 (4th at Hawthorn)
Accuracy in front of goal: 74.3 per cent (2nd at Hawthorn)

37. Blake Hardwick

Hawthorn’s third selection in last year’s draft, Blake Hardwick, has been developing at VFL level this season.

In nine matches for Box Hill Hawks, Hardwick has kicked seven goals, impressing with his ability to hit the scoreboard and also his strong, aggressive approach to the contest.

He’s been close to an AFL debut – being named as an emergency – and could push for senior selection in the second half of the season.

VFL matches: 9

46. Lachlan Langford

Second-year rookie Lachlan Langford has shown some real signs of progress already in 2016.

After spending his first season in the VFL development league, Langford has made his senior VFL debut, playing four matches at the level.

He took nine marks and kicked a goal on debut in Round 4, and can play at both ends of the ground.

VFL matches: 4
VFL development matches: 5


Lachlan Langford celebrates his first VFL goal. Picture: AFL Photos