Looking for a team to barrack for in September? With the Hawks out of the race, we’ve got you covered with the next best options.

Here’s a handy guide to the opposition sides who you should, or shouldn't, throw your support behind.

Five Hawks are up for AFLPA MVP awards! Take a look to see who is in the running

Melbourne

Adem Yze, a former assistant coach at the Hawks, departed the club last year to return to his former home of Melbourne where he played 271 games.

The All-Australian enjoyed nine seasons at the Hawks, where he thrived in several positions including as a specialist goal kicking coach, development coach and line coach.

Yze saw significant premiership success in his time with the brown and gold and was a popular coach among players.

During his tenure as the club's goal kicking coach, Yze was credited for played a key role in harnessing the Hawthorn players' elite kicking skills.

He spent his final two years at the Hawks acting as head of match day strategy and opposition.

Yze is currently working as Melbourne’s midfield coach as he looks to be part of driving the Demons to their first premiership in 57 years.

Brisbane

Former Hawks Head of Coaching and GM of Football Chris Fagan was appointed as Brisbane Lions coach in 2016.

He served these roles at Hawthorn between 2008 and 2016, and was instrumental within the club's 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015 premiership victories.

Fagan joined the Lions in 2016, and in his third season as coach made it to finals.

In his five season's at the helm of the Lions, Fagan has taken the Lions to finals three times across 2019, 2020 and 2021 including to two preliminary finals.

Four-time Hawthorn premiership player Grant Birchall may also be another reason for Hawks fans to back the Lions.

After facing injuries and out of contract at the end of 2019, Birchall was traded to Brisbane.

Western Bulldogs

Prior to his role as the Bulldogs coach, Luke Beveridge spent some time from 2012 as an assistant coach at the Hawks specialising in working with the club's defence. 

Beveridge led an impressive resurgence of the Bulldogs in his first year as coach in 2015, finishing in sixth place on the ladder, leading them to their first finals series since 2010.

The following year, he led the Bulldogs to a victory in their first Grand Final since 1954.

Much-loved former Hawk and two-time premiership player Taylor Duryea also joined the Bulldogs line-up following the 2018 trade period after nine seasons at Hawthorn.

Known for his impressive speed and skill, the crafty defender is sure to prove an important part in the Dogs' 2021 finals campaign.

Greater Western Sydney

Former Hawks assistant coach Leon Cameron will be chasing his first premiership as GWS coach when their finals campaign kicks off on Saturday.

Prior to his time at the Giants, Cameron accepted an assistant coaching role with Hawthorn in 2010, and went on to play an instrumental role at the club as they reached the 2012 grand final.

Cameron joined GWS as their assistant coach for the 2013 season before being appointed as the senior coach from 2014, leading the Giants to their first finals appearance in 2016.

He has led the Giants to the finals in four of the past five seasons, including the 2019 grand final. 

Essendon

Who are we kidding?! We're not going to waste time building a case for our archrivals! Here's hoping that drought of won finals continues!

Sydney

Prior to joining the red and white, Josh Kennedy was recruited by Hawthorn in the 2006 AFL Draft, under the father-son rule.

Kennedy made his debut for the club in the 2008 season, but was traded to Sydney at the end of the 2009 season.

The son of John Kennedy Jr, a former four-time Hawthorn premiership player, Kennedy went on to forge a decorated career with the Swans.

Sydney and Hawthorn have shared a strong rivalry since 2011, having met on four occasions in the finals.

The rivalry is amplified by players who have moved between the two, most notably Lance 'Buddy' Franklin to Sydney in 2013 and Tom Mitchell to Hawthorn in 2016.

Buddy won two premierships at Hawthorn, is the seventh-greatest goal-kicker in VFL/AFL history and is one of just five men with eight All Australian blazers.

The 34-year-old is also one of just two players in the game’s history to have booted 300 goals for both clubs.

Geelong

There's not much to sway Hawks fans to jump on board the Cats train, considering the strong long-running rivalry formed between the two.

A current connection between the two clubs lies with former Hawk Isaac Smith, but depending how his departure left you feeling, for some it may (or likely may not) be a reason to throw their support behind Geelong.

Port Adelaide

Hawthorn has two current players on their list who once played for Port Adelaide.

Chad Wingard came to the Hawks in 2018 after 147 games with the Power, meanwhile Jarman Impey also made the switch to Hawthorn following 75 games with Port between 2014 and 2017.

With Port considered one of the hot favourites to take home the flag, the fact that two Hawthorn stars once began their careers with them may be a contributing factor to brown and gold fans donning their support for the South Australian team.