Goodbye 2022, hello 2023!

A new year brings a new range of exciting possibilities and opportunities.

So, what are we – the fans – hoping to witness in the year ahead? In no particular order, here’s a list of 23 wishes we have for 2023!

  1. Continued improvement: Despite being a campaign that was done before September started, there was plenty to like about the Hawks’ 2022 season. The coaches, the players, the members and fans are all on the journey together, with an understanding that decisions have been made to realign this playing group ahead of Hawthorn’s next premiership tilt. Here’s to another year of promising signs and increasing excitement.
  2. Fans in the stands: It was great to see our fans back at the footy in 2022 after a difficult two years due to COVID-19. With six home games scheduled at the MCG in 2023, we hope to see the brown and gold faithful continue to fill the stands next year.
  3. Captaincy change: With Big Boy’s departure at the end of 2022, a new captaincy handover is now on the cards. Who it will be currently remains a mystery but, whoever it is, we can’t wait to see how they guide the club into its next chapter.
  4. Draftee excitement: With the club selecting a top 10 draft pick for the third consecutive year, the excitement around potentially seeing Cam Mackenzie pull on the jumper in 2023 is undeniable. Mackenzie headlines a host of draftees the club has recently brought in, and we’re looking forward to catching a glimpse of their potential next year.
  5. The rise of Newcombe: The shining light of 2022 for many Hawks supporters was seeing the development of Jai Newcombe. The 21-year-old barely put a foot wrong in his second season, warming brown and gold hearts around the country with his skill, toughness and composure at the elite level. And while he impressed much of the football world this year, we sense this is only the beginning for the exciting youngster.
  6. Punky 500: Our oldest star Luke Breust is within just 19 goals of booting the 500th major of his career. Judging by his goal tallies in recent years, the feat is well and truly in reach come 2023. It would cement Breust’s claim as one of the greatest forwards the club has seen, becoming just the seventh Hawk to reach the impressive milestone.
  7. New-look Box Hill: Hawthorn’s VFL affiliate produced a stellar season in 2023 which saw the side reach the elimination final. Now with new Box Hill Coach Zane Littlejohn in charge, here’s hoping the boys can take the steps required in order to reach premiership success in 2023.
  8. Youth in action: For some time, Hawthorn averaged one of the oldest lists in the league. But, following the departure of some veterans and the arrival of another crop of young draftees, we’ve now got some incredible, young talent on our list, mixed with a blend of star power. With an average age of 22.1 heading into the 2023 season, Hawthorn is set to unveil its youngest side since 1967.
  9. AFLW in flight: 2022 saw Hawthorn welcome another source of extreme excitement for brown and gold hearts with the introduction of our inaugural AFLW team. We felt so proud watching the girls run out there and give it their all week in, week out. But it’s just the beginning and know there are so many more exciting things to come on the way in that space.
  10. First goal excitement: 2022 was the year of first goals not only for our debutants but also for some familiar faces. The list of surprise packets on the scoreboard included Sam Frost – who kicked his first goal in the brown and gold – and Changkuoth Jiath who kicked the first of his AFL career. Will 2023 see some of our defenders continue to push into the attack at times? We’re not entirely sure, but when it happens it sure is exciting.
  11. More long sleeves action: 2022 saw the return of the long sleeve, with several players deciding to don the warmer look, including the likes of Chad Wingard, James Sicily and Jai Newcombe. There is just something about a brown and gold long sleeve which we love seeing out on the ground. Following its comeback this year, we have no doubt the players will continue to rock the look in 2023.
  12. Recruits: We picked up three recruits during the trade period with Karl Amon, Lloyd Meek and Cooper Stephens all joining the brown and gold. Amon played alongside both Jarman Impey and Chad Wingard during their time at Port Adelaide, so we can’t wait to see these old teammates reunite on the field... this time in the brown and gold!
  13. Leaping Lewis: We loved what we saw with the rise of Mitch Lewis in 2022, producing a career-best season with 37 goals to his name despite missing parts of the season. Hopefully an injury-free 2023 will see Lewis take things even further next year inside the attacking 50.
  14. Blockbusters on the way: There’s several games to look forward to in 2023, but how could we go past our season opener against arguably our greatest rivals in Essendon!? With big games at the ‘G also seeing us take on fellow Victorian heavyweights in Carlton, Collingwood and Melbourne, it’s set to be a bumper year of viewing. Oh, and did we mention these are all home games for Hawks members?!
  15. Member records: After an incredible 2022 which saw an all-time record of 81,494 loyal members commit to the brown and gold – including more than 5,000 inaugural AFLW members – we’re hoping the number keeps rising in 2023.
  16. Premiership reunions: 2023 marks the 40th year anniversary of our 1983 premiership and the 10th anniversary of our 2013 premiership cup. With both being such significant events in the club’s history, it will be pure bliss seeing all of those that helped achieve these feats come together in the one room again.
  17. Retro guernsey: For the very first time, Hawthorn will be bringing back one of its all-time guernsey designs in 2023. Thanks to the club’s new apparel partner ISC, Hawks members got to have their say on which retro jumper the players will wear in 2023. Voting is now closed, with the winning design set to be revealed early next year – we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled!
  18. New coaches: The conclusion of the 2022 season saw several new coaches join the brown and gold fold. Among them includes new Box Hill Coach Zane Littlejohn, Backline Coach Kade Simpson and Development Coach David Mackay. With each posing a different skillset and qualities, we’ll be keeping a watch on what these new additions help bring to the field in 2023.
  19. Sis soaring: 2022 saw James Sicily take the competition by storm, finishing as a leader across the league’s statistics in defence and as the club’s best and fairest winner. But remarkably our superstar defender missed out on the final All Australian team… so here’s hoping he won’t miss out this time and be rewarded with an AA blazer next year.
  20. Home, sweet home: The construction of our new $100 million homebase, the Kennedy Community Centre, is set to commence in 2023. It comes after the club made a significant step with its planning this year, signing an agreement with ADCO Constructions to start building. We’re excited to see this long-awaited project finally come off the ground come February.
  21. History making round: In an AFL-first, all clubs will battle it out in an extra round this year with the introduction of the Gather Round. The round will see all clubs compete across a weekend of football in Adelaide and we’re keen to be part of history… hopefully with a win!
  22. Inclusion talent growing: It was great to see our AFL Blind and Wheelchair teams shine in 2022. Wheelchair captain Joanna Argaet and emerging star Finn Broadbent recently took home awards at the 2022 Wheelchair National Championships. With the talent among both sides only continuing to grow, we can’t wait to see what they can produce in 2023.
  23. Debutants for the double: 2022 saw eight debutants pull on the brown and gold jumper for the first time – the most debutants than any other club this year. With an influx of more youngsters joining the club this year, we have no doubt they’ll be rewarded with further opportunities to shine and realise their dreams in 2023.