With the 2022 NAB AFL Draft less than a week away, we thought it would be fitting to see how far our 2021 draftees have come in the brown and gold this year.

Hawthorn welcomed five new faces following the conclusion of last year's draft.

Each of them went on to make enormous strides in their first seasons, with all five making their AFL debut this year.

The Hawks are currently set to enter this year's draft on Monday with one first round selection at Pick 6 in addition to Picks 24, 41, 48, 50, 52 and 63.

Check out the recap below of how the last 12 months panned out for our 2021 draft class. 

Josh Ward – Pick 7

Games: 14

Goals: 2

Age: 19

After being selected as Hawthorn’s top draft pick, Ward worked hard to carve out an important role in the midfield in his debut season. Despite injury, the youngster managed to play 14 games for the year, where he averaged 19 disposals and almost three clearances per outing. Ward’s work rate and appetite for the contest saw him take some big strides in development. After missing five weeks mid-season due to injury, 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. The 19-year-old was one of two young Hawks - alongside Jai Newcombe - who received a Rising Star nomination this year.

Connor Macdonald – Pick 26

Games: 20

Goals: 9

Age: 19

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. Macdonald pieced together a brilliant debut season, playing all bar two games. Macdonald showed composure beyond his years, playing mostly as a forward during the first portion of the season, before pushing up onto a wing to close out the year. Averaging 13.2 disposals and 3.4 marks per game, Macdonald also showed and ability to impact the scoreboard, booting nine goals.

Sam Butler – Pick 23

Games: 9

Goals: 6

Age: 19

Butler’s injection into Hawthorn's attack gave fans plenty of reasons to be excited about the future. After breaking through for his debut in Round 9, the first-year forward went on to play nine games and kick six goals. His best performance for the year came in just his second game at the top level when the Hawks edged out the Lions in Launceston in Round 10 in Launceston. Butler was dangerous in front of goal, booting two majors, while also collecting nine disposals.

Jai Serong – Pick 53

Games: 3

Goals: 1

Age: 19

Serong showed strong progression across the 2022 season, so much so, he earned a senior debut late in the season and played the final three games. His call up came on the back of a string of solid performances for Box Hill in the VFL, where he impressed with his work rate, athleticism and versatility as a forward. The youngster was solid in his senior debut game against Gold Coast in Round 21, finishing with nine disposals and three marks, along with three tackles, as the Hawks took home a seven-point win in Launceston. The 19-year-old didn’t look out of place at the top level, going on to boot a goal in his second game.

Ned Long – Rookie Draft Pick 5

Games: 1

Goals: - 

Age: 19

Long’s progression late in the season saw him earn a call-up to the senior side for Hawthorn’s final game of the year. Long showed flashes of an exciting future in the brown and gold following his debut game against the Western Bulldogs in Round 23, finishing with 11 disposals and seven marks. Having joined the club in the rookie draft just a season ago, the big-bodied midfielder has shown plenty of upside with a willingness to learn along with a strong endurance ability.