Two years ago, Dylan Moore was on the verge of being delisted.

Struggling to find his way into the side after arriving at Waverley Park in late 2017, Moore found it difficult to make an impact and didn’t earn a senior debut until 2019.

While he went on to add seven games to his name that season, Moore had to then wait until the end of the 2020 to add any more to his tally.

His 10th career match turned out to be his best game yet, earning his very first Brownlow vote.

It was the last round of 2020 in which Moore breathed life into his AFL career with a break-out game against Gold Coast.

But heading into that same game, Moore thought he would be donning the brown and gold for the final time.

“I thought my career was over,” he said.

“Going to the last game of 2020 I really thought that was the last time I would pull on the Hawthorn guernsey.

“I supported Hawthorn growing up. It made me a little upset that the team I had supported my whole life, I would never get to run out with them again.”

No one could foresee that the last match of the 2020 season would end up as a pivotal turning point for the youngster.

Moore took this momentum through to 2021 where he worked to cement a regular spot in the side, despite the club moving him to the rookie list ahead of that season.

He responded by playing 20 matches – double his tally from his first three years.

He also went from finishing in 34th in the club’s 2019 Peter Crimmins Medal count to 26th in 2020, and then to fourth in 2021.

This year, Moore went another step further, earning his first podium finish in third position at the club’s best and fairest, trailing behind fellow youngster Jai Newcombe and star defender James Sicily.

“It’s pretty cool to see where I’ve come from,” Moore said.

“I was on the brink of delisting after quite an embarrassing career after three years.

“I guess the next pre-season, it was all about how hard I could work and how much self-belief I could get to get where I am today.

“A lot of credit is due to my teammates who have helped me along the way.”

What makes Moore’s rise even more impressive is the fact that an injury almost got in the way of his 2022 campaign before it had even begun.

At the end of last year, Moore partially tore his ACL and didn’t know if he was going to play this year, or if I was going to get a knee reconstruction.

But with the support of Hawthorn’s medical team, especially that of Rehabilitation Coordinator Jack Price, Moore elevated to new heights.   

“Pricey said to me ‘Nah mate, I reckon we could get you through the year’,” Moore reflected.

“He gave me the self-belief and confidence throughout this pre-season that I could play all the games this year, which I did.”

While Moore is one of the chief reasons the Hawks have exceeded expectations on the field this year, he’s even more impressive off it.

Ask pretty much anyone within the four walls of Hawthorn and they will often describe Moore as someone who is a hard worker, genuine, selfless, and self-aware.

While he has developed his on-field game, Moore has also transformed into a role model and young leader among his teammates.

One of the first players at the club to put his hand up to volunteer for any causes, Moore has worked tirelessly to assist where he can within the mental health space, with charities and the LGBTQI+ community.

He has become a key part of Beyond Blue, Australia’s most well-known and visited mental health organisation, leading conversations across the club with fans, members, and supporters. 

Aside from his third-place finish at this year’s best and fairest, Moore also took out Hawthorn’s Best Clubman this year – one of the most highly regarded awards among the players. 

“I just walk into the club every day and I just absolutely love it, I feel as though I’ve got the best job in the world,” Moore said.

“I get to go run out with my best mates every single week with the same goal of winning a premiership.

“We all walk into the club every single day aspiring to be better. It’s a real privilege.”

Hawthorn Development Coach Andy Collins, who has worked closely alongside Moore this year, has nothing but praise for the youngster.

“I’m not sure if I like him more as a footballer or a person off the field,” Collins said.

“Dylan has time for everyone in the footy club, whether that be players, staff, small groups, or big groups.

“On the field, I find it inspiring for a little bloke to play the way he does – he sets the standards of training and behaviours.”

Coach Sam Mitchell also has a lot to do with Moore’s mindset in that regard.

“I just feel as though I go out there and try to play my role every week, and Sam sets me up for success by allowing me to do what I want, so credit is due to him as well,” Moore said.  

“Sam, and all the other coaches, have given me the confidence throughout this year which has helped me develop as a player.”

The 23-year-old is now preparing to enter his sixth pre-season at the club later this year.

If his rapid rise is anything to go by, there’s arguably no celling on what Moore can achieve in 2023.