Hawthorn unveiled eight debutants in 2022, the second most than any other team this season. 

The array of new talent has provided Hawks fans with much to look forward to in 2023, with the likes of draftees Josh Ward, Connor Macdonald, Sam Butler and mid-season recruit James Blanck all excelling in their given opportunities.

It adds to a second year now where the Hawks have prioritised blooding their youth, having also introduced eight new faces last year, which again was the second most in the league.  

Josh Ward

After making his debut in the season opener, Josh Ward showed glimpses throughout the year as to why he was the pick 7 in last year’s national draft.

Ward was part of coach Sam Mitchell’s season plans from the outset, playing seven of the first eight matches – he was managed in Round 7 – before being concussed in his first VFL game.

After missing five weeks mid-season, the promising midfielder roared to life with a career-high 34 disposals, eight score involvements and six clearances in Hawthorn’s win over West Coast in Round 18.

A Rising Star nomination deservedly followed, as well as six votes in the AFL Coaches’ Association Champion Player of the Year award. 

Since returning in Round 17, Ward put together a strong back half of the season, with the last five out of seven games resulting in 20-plus disposal performances.

Connor Macdonald

While the demands of playing almost an entire full season of AFL would place a toll on most first-year players, Connor Macdonald flourished with the challenge.  

The young Hawk played 20 games in his first season, producing a promising rookie campaign as Mitchell led one of the youngest sides in the competition.

Macdonald, who was a second-round selection from last year's national draft at pick 26, has pressed his case as a mainstay in Hawthorn's best 22.

The 19-year-old showed his capabilities both within the midfield and up forward, booting nine goals for the season while averaging 13.2 disposals and 2.1 inside 50s. 

Only once this year has he failed to record double-digit disposals, thriving with more midfield clock in the back half of the season.

Sam Butler

After making his debut in Round 9, Sam Butler has shown how damaging he can be around the ball.

A clean and clever utility, who can play forward or through the midfield, Butler finished his first season with six goals from his nine games.

Aside from his AFL opportunities, Butler also impressed at VFL in his first year as a Hawk, kicking six goals from eight matches while averaging 11 disposals and three marks per game.

James Blanck

Just weeks after arriving at Hawthorn via the mid-season rookie draft, James Blanck made his AFL debut.

The 21-year-old joined the Hawks after three seasons in the VFL with Box Hill and hasn’t looked out of place on the big stage.

Since making his debut in Round 15, Blanck played every game since, finishing with nine matches for the season. 

Standing at 195cm tall, the 21-year-old has become an agile and athletic defender who is strong through the air with his intercept marking ability.

Jack Saunders 

Through consistent football at Box Hill, Jack Saunders earned the right to debut in Round 23 and acquitted himself well. 

In his debut AFL game - in which he played alongside fellow debutant Ned Long - Saunders finished with seven touches and a goal. 

Saunders featured among Box Hill’s stand-out performers this year, bursting into contention for senior selection in the last month after averaging 20.3 touches and 7.3 marks in his last three games as well as booting five majors during that period.

Ned Long

Debuting alongside Saunders, Ned Long became the fifth first-year Hawk to make his debut in season 2022.   

A strong-bodied midfielder hailing from the Northern Knights, Long was picked up with pick 5 in the 2021 rookie draft.

The 19-year-old also showed some impressive form in the VFL, where he averaged 14.7 disposals, 3.8 marks and 5.9 tackles per game across his 13 matches.

Jai Serong  

Jai Serong joins Long and Saunders as another Hawk to have earned a late season debut this year. 

After being listed as an emergency in the weeks prior to his debut, Serong got the senior call-up in Round 21 against Gold Coast.

He played again the following week against Richmond where he kicked his first AFL goal. 

Aside from his senior opportunities, Serong averaged 11.9 disposals and 3.7 marks per game and booted nine goals in the 13 games he played with Box Hill.

Jackson Callow

After a year in the Hawks system, Jackson Callow made his senior debut in Round 7. 

The North Launceston product joined Hawthorn with pick 17 in the 2021 mid-season rookie draft – the same draft pool as fellow Hawks youngster Jai Newcombe.

The young forward earned his spot in the senior side after impressing for Box Hill and went on to play three games at AFL-level.