As 2021 is now done with, we're looking forward to seeing what the year 2022 has in store.
With Hawthorn actively participating in the trade period and the national draft, there will be a fair few fresh faces to the club in the new year.
Here’s a breakdown of the new Hawks set to commence their first seasons in the brown and gold.
Max Lynch
Lynch arrived at Hawthorn during the trade period after the club secured a deal with Collingwood.
The 23-year-old has played three games since being drafted in 2017, with the ruck dominance of former teammate Brodie Grundy limiting his output at senior level.
Despite limited opportunities at AFL level to this point, Lynch made a strong impression against Max Gawn and the Demons in Round 13 this year when he recorded 15 disposals, three marks and 23 hit outs.
The 200cm ruckman is hoping to take the next step forward in his career in 2022.
Josh Ward
Hawthorn selected Ward with Pick 7 overall in the 2021 NAB AFL National Draft – its top selection.
A lifelong Hawthorn fan, Ward is a clean and classy competitor who will learn from the likes of Jaeger O’Meara and Tom Mitchell in the centre of the ground.
The 181cm midfielder is a ball-getter who accumulates the footy, makes it hurt with his disposal and then boasts the aerobic capacity to go in again.
Coming from the Northern Knights, Ward possess an impressive combination of speed and endurance which is set to make him a handful for the opposition.
Connor MacDonald
MacDonald joined the Hawks after the club selected him with Pick 26 in the draft.
An inside midfielder who also has a strong burst of speed, MacDonald has the tools to become an influential on-baller at AFL level.
Plying his craft at the Dandenong Stingrays, MacDonald averaged just shy of 30 disposals, 6.8 marks and 4.8 tackles across four appearances at NAB League level this year.
He has also been praised by experts as an outstanding decision-maker throughout his draft year and his grunt around the stoppages is sure to excite Hawks fans in the years to come.
Jai Serong
Hawthorn selected Serong with Pick 53 in the national draft, its fourth selection at the draft.
Serong, who is the brother of Fremantle young gun Caleb Serong, is a skinny tall with plenty of upside.
His strengths are his leaps and overhead marking, along with his clean hands at ground level.
Having played in most positions this year, Serong has also shown his versatility in each third of the ground.
Ned Long
Long joins the Hawks after he was selected by the club with Pick 5 at the 2021 NAB Rookie Draft.
A strong-bodied midfielder with great endurance, Long was one of the most damaging players in the NAB League before injury cut his season short.
The on-baller’s form at the start of the year was impressive and in his three games of NAB League, averaging 22 disposals and over two goals per game - with two games of three goals each.
Sam Butler
Butler has made Hawthorn home after being selected by the club with Pick 23 in the draft.
The 18-year-old is a clean and clever utility who can play through the midfield or up forward.
He has proven damaging around goals with some elite acceleration, whilst also possessing the defensive traits to match his offensive output.
Unlike other small forwards who hit the scoreboard regularly, Butler is not afraid to work hard and apply himself to the contest.
Fionn O’Hara
Hawthorn added Irish recruit O’Hara to its list in October as an International Category B rookie.
Hailing from Westmeath County in Ireland, O’Hara arrives on a two-year deal to become the second Irishman to be listed with the Hawks in 2022, beside Conor Nash.
O’Hara boasts an impressive sporting resume, having been a part of elite rugby union programs as well as being a talented Gaelic football player.
Standing at 186cm tall and weighing in at 81kg, the 19-year-old possesses the rare combination of elite speed and endurance.
