Mitch Lewis has added to an outstanding 2022 campaign, taking out Hawthorn’s Most Improved Player at the Peter Crimmins Medal count on Saturday.
Lewis, who produced a career-best season, featured among five Hawks to be recognised with a club award on the night.
The 23-year-old took a big leap forward in his young career this season, elevating himself into his side’s number one key forward slot.
With his contested marking a true feature of his play, Lewis grew in confidence this year, playing with a presence befitting of a player well beyond his 51 career games.
Lewis exploded out of the blocks in season 2022, booting 22 goals from his first seven games – including a career-high five-goal haul against Port Adelaide in Round 2.
He finished second in his club’s goalkicking tally with 37 goals – an impressive feat considering he missed seven games due to injury.
Remarkably, Lewis was held to less than three goals in just six out of his 15 games this year, as he averaged 2.5 majors per outing which was the equal sixth best in the league.
A reliable target in front of goal, Lewis boasted a deadly 66.1 per cent goal-kicking accuracy – which was the best in the competition among those who kicked 35 goals or more this season.
Ned Reeves fittingly won Most Promising Player following a season in which he announced himself as a key piece of the club’s future.
Though technically into his fourth season with the brown and gold, 2022 was the year that saw Reeves officially break into the senior team and consolidate his position as his side’s number one ruckman.
He showed enormous upside in 2022 – averaging 26.9 hit-outs per game – the 10th most of any player within the league.
It marks an impressive outcome for the 23-year-old who only played 12 games this year after missing several outings due to injury.
Reeves also demonstrated an ability to push forward and provide a target inside 50, hitting the scoreboard in half of his outings this year, booting seven goals.
Praised by his coaches as a great listener who wants to get the best out of himself, Reeves has evidently worked hard on his craft throughout 2022.
Reliable defender Blake Hardwick earned the nod for the Most Courageous Player.
A solid competitor week in, week out, Hardwick once again impressed with his furiousness, speed and agility allowing him to play on a variety of some of the best forwards in the competition.
The 25-year-old averaged a career-best 5.2 marks this season, and 16.6 disposals per game at 82.2 per cent disposal efficiency, which was the most of any Hawk.
Arguably one of the game’s most underrated players, Hardwick’s importance to Hawthorn isn’t lost on the fans and certainly his coaches and teammates.
Jai Newcombe added another achievement to his name in 2022, deservedly taking out the club’s Lethal Award.
The player-voted award is one of the most highly regarded accolades within the four walls of Hawthorn with winners including the likes of Ben Stratton, Liam Shiels and Sam Frost.
A popular member of the playing group, Newcombe was one of four Hawks to play 22 games in 2022 and was best afield in several games for his side.
With career-high numbers in disposals (22.5 per game), tackles (4.6) and marks (4.3), Newcombe became one of the Hawks' most valuable players.
Rounding out the top honours was Dylan Moore who was named Hawthorn’s Best Clubman.
At just 23-years-old, Moore is one of the club’s emerging leaders often providing a vocal presence around the club, while also mentoring a crop of last year’s draftees.
Away from the field, Moore has become a key part of Beyond Blue, leading conversations across the club with fans, members, and supporters.
In recognition for his community work, he was recently named as one of four finalists nominated for this year’s Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.
He has also put his efforts behind supporting several different communities, becoming an ambassador for the Hawks Pride Group, leading educational sessions across the Hawks’ AFL, VFLW, VFL, Wheelchair AFL and AFL Blind and Netball teams.
See the full list of award winners below.
Most Promising: Ned Reeves
Most Improved: Mitch Lewis
Most Courageous: Blake Hardwick
Best Clubman: Dylan Moore
Lethal Award: Jai Newcombe
