Following retirements, delistings and trades, several Hawthorn playing numbers are now up for grabs.
We've taken a look at what history can tell us about who of the new players might be destined for which jumper number.
Number 5
Most recent:
After playing four games in the number 35 jumper in his first season in 2016, Ryan Burton took over the departed Sam Mitchell at the end of season 2016. Burton played 43 games in the number five over the past two years.
Most games:
277 of Mitchell’s 307 games in the brown and gold were played in the number five guernsey, 101 more outings than the next most in Peter Crimmins.
The speculation:
Between Mitchell, Crimmins and Andrew Collins who wore the jumper through four of his ten seasons at the club, there is a lot of blond hair and there is a lot of midfield talent. Blond hair and midfield talent, could a Worpel or a Morrison be the next in line?
Number 8
Most recent:
Taylor Duryea played one season in the number 41 in 2013. Then, he was given the number eight which he wore for his next five seasons, 100 games and two premierships in the brown and gold.
Most games:
Two-time premiership David O’Halloran played all 160 of his 160 games in the number eight.
The speculation:
Duryea and Xavier Ellis are the only two number eights of the past decade and, alongside O’Halloran, are both defenders standing at around six-foot tall. Of the current Hawks that fit this description, Harry Morrison and Teia Miles might be in line for a change of scenery in 2019.
Number 11
Most recent:
Brendan Whitecross is the latest owner of this jumper, playing the last 39 of his 111 career games in it.
Most games:
Joel Smith played 221 games throughout his 13-year career, 58 for St Kilda and then 163 for the Hawks. During his entire career in the brown and gold, the two-time All Australian wore number 11.
The speculation:
All three of the most-experienced Hawks to have worn the number 11 guernsey were hard-running wingman (Smith, Gary Buckenara and Clinton Young). If only we recruited one of those in the most recent trade period from the GWS Giants, he would have been a great fit for the job… oh, wait!
Number 13
Most recent:
Jonathan O’Rourke was in the number 13 for his four seasons at the Hawks.
Most games:
Playing at the Hawks for 10 years from 1970 to 1979, Leon Rice is the most experienced player to wear the number 13 in the brown and gold.
The speculation:
The unlucky number has been unlucky to its owner in recent times with only 38 goals kicked by the four players that have worn it since 2000. Another trend is that three of the last four wearers had previously come from another club before pulling on the number 13 (Lance Picioane, Kyle Cheney and O’Rourke with the other being Simon Taylor).
Number 20
Most recent:
Dallas Willsmore is the most recent to vacate this number. Willsmore played two games for the Hawks.
Most games:
After one game with Collingwood in 1966, Ian Bremner then moved to Hawthorn the following season where he pulled on the number 20 jumper 158 times.
The speculation:
If Chad Wingard is looking to continue his career in the same number he played 147 games and won two All Australian honours in, then the door is open for him.
Number 21
Most recent:
Kieran Lovell inherited the number 21 jumper for 2018 but was unfortunately unable to crack senior selection this year. Before that, James Sicily played the first 44 games of his career here.
Most games:
After playing his first season and first game in the number 35, Richie Vandenberg played the remainder of his career with the Hawks in the 21, playing 145 games and captaining the club for three years from 2005 to 2007. He is the only Hawk to have played 100 games in this number.
The speculation:
If Luke Breust is in number 22 and Chad Wingard does indeed take the number 20, then maybe Darren Minchington might swoop on the chance to sit between these two star small forwards and pick their brains at every chance around the locker room.
Number 33
Most recent:
Thousands of number 33 jumpers will still be getting to the MCG next year despite Cyril Rioli’s retirement this year.
Most games:
Rioli’s 189-game career sees him sit comfortably ahead of any other previous number wearers.
The speculation:
The biggest question ahead of the jumper number reveal: who, if anyone, will be handed Cyril’s number? Will it be the similarly talented Wingard who will continue to work magic with the two threes on his shoulders? Will it be one of Cyril’s former teammates who steps up and takes the reins? Or, will the number be given a rest and sit idle in 2019?
Number 34
Most recent:
Kurt Heatherley wore the 34 across his four seasons at the Hawks, playing five games across this time.
Most games:
John Kennedy Jnr has played the most games for Hawthorn in the number 34 guernsey, with 241 games. Kennedy won four premierships in the jumper number as well as a place in the club’s Hall of Fame.
The speculation:
The top three players for the Hawks in this guernsey have stood at 190cm or above. Of our four new known incomers, Jack Scrimshaw is the only one that measures in above that threshold.
