With the NAB AFL Draft just a week away, we’ve reflected on our draft class of 2020 and their time in the last 12 months since arriving to the brown and gold.
It was an historic draft for Hawthorn last year as it made its highest pick in a national draft in over a decade after selecting Denver Grainger-Barras with Pick 6.
AFL Draft Phantom Form Guide: November
Grainger-Barras joined the Hawks alongside Seamus Mitchell, Connor Downie, Tyler Brockman and Jack Saunders as Hawthorn completed a fruitful draft which saw the club bolster its list with a promising mix of speed, power and skill.
The Hawks enter this year's draft on Wednesday with one first round selection at Pick 5 along with Picks 21, 24, 59, 64.
Here’s a look back at our 2020 draft picks and how they went in 2021.
Denver Grainger-Barras – Pick 6
A Western Australian out of the Swan Districts, Grainger-Barras was touted as an intercept marking specialist within his draft pool.
The Hawks were thrilled to read the 195cm defender's name out after admiring his work throughout 2020.
A mature head who demonstrates composure, Grainger-Barras played five games in the senior side during 2021.
He made a quick impression in his debut season, showing glimpses as a promising key figure in the Hawks defensive stocks.
Seamus Mitchell – Pick 29
Mitchell had been one the Hawks recruiting team were hopeful would remain on the table in time for its second pick.
At Pick 29, the Hawks pounced on the excitement machine from the Bendigo Pioneers.
While he has yet to play a senior game due to injuries, Mitchell showcased his capabilities in the second half of the year with Box Hill in the VFL.
The exciting youngster provided glimpses as a dangerous target around the goals and proved a difficult match-up for opposition sides with his running power.
The 19-year-old will be eyeing another big pre-season to get his fitness levels up as he looks to make an impact in the senior side in 2022.
Connor Downie – Pick 35
One of the key storylines for the Hawks heading into last year’s draft was Next Generation Academy graduate Connor Downie.
When North Melbourne placed a bid on the youngster at Pick 35, the Hawks wasted no time in matching it to secure the explosive youngster.
Although the 19-year-old only played one game for the Hawks in 2021, his kicking penetration and run-and-carry was particularly impressive.
Tyler Brockman – Pick 46
The Hawks were unsure whether they would take a fourth selection at the draft, but couldn't say no when Brockman was still available.
With electrifying pace and a deceptively strong overhead marking ability for a small, Brockman joined the brown and gold with Pick 46.
He has settled in quickly since arriving at Hawthorn, earning a senior debut in the opening round of 2021 against Essendon – instantly impressing when he kicked two majors.
The explosive forward finished the season strongly, playing every game from Round 17.
Jack Saunders – Pick 4 (Rookie Draft)
The Hawks recruiting team had to decide on whether it would participate in the rookie draft, but with Saunders on the board, the club was drawn to act.
He was Hawthorn's sole pick in the rookie draft, and went on to play with Box Hill this year.
Saunders showed promising signs as he made steady improvement at the VFL-level and in scratch matches.
A powerful midfielder who is capable of hitting the scoreboard when up forward, the 180cm South Australian is a reliable user with the ball in hand.
