Rejuvenated Hawks, impressive recruits and the players who have thrived from the shuffling of the magnets. We’ve reminisced on some of the break-out performers from our 2022 season. 

Jai Newcombe

Not too many people would have predicted that Jai Newcombe would be as impressive as he was during his first full season of AFL. The 21-year-old was taken with Pick 2 in the 2021 mid-season draft, and, despite making his debut that same year, it was his showings in the earlier stages of this season that truly cemented him as one to watch. After polling 12 votes in Hawthorn’s best and fairest last year, Newcombe skyrocketed to new heights this year finishing as runner-up in the 2022 count. The youngster showed a maturity and consistency beyond his years, playing every game and averaging more than 22 disposals per outing. To cap off an impressive season, Newcombe was named as the AFL Coaches Association’s Best Young Player and earned a Rising Star nod while finishing as the club’s highest vote-getter at this year’s Brownlow. Arguably the biggest surprise packet of the season, the mid-season recruit has left the brown and gold faithful well and truly excited as to what 2023 could hold. 

Finn Maginness

Playing in 16 out of a possible 22 games this year, Finn Maginness excelled in locking down some of the competition’s most damaging players. All Australian Shai Bolton was kept to a season-low of 13 disposals and zero marks in Round 22, while Touk Miller, Jy Simpkin and Jordan Dawson are among those who struggled to get going when matched up on Maginness. After managing just three games in his two seasons prior, Maginness became a regular starter and an important figure in Hawthorn's senior side this year. He finished in an impressive eighth place in this year’s Peter Crimmins Medal, leaving the 2022 season as one that he will be looking to build on heading into next year.

Mitch Lewis

Entering 2022, fans were eager to see what Mitch Lewis was capable of after an impressive pre-season. And from Round 1, Lewis did not disappoint, cementing himself as his side’s number one key forward. 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. Remarkably, he 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. Widely applauded as among the AFL’s most impressive straight-shooters, Lewis boasted a deadly 66.1 per cent goal-kicking accuracy. With a fantastic set of hands, a strong presence in the air and a simple yet efficient kicking action, Lewis certainly made his presence known in 2022. Despite missing a significant chunk of the season due to injury, the young star left a lasting impression which saw him take home the club’s Most Improved Player award of 2022. 

Josh Ward

After being selected as Hawthorn’s top draft pick a year ago, Josh Ward worked hard to carve out an important role in the midfield in his debut season. Despite facing 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 his development as the year progressed. 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 Newcombe - who received a Rising Star nomination this year.

Conor Nash

Late last year, a call was made to pull the trigger on moving Conor Nash into the midfield, which worked wonders in an upset win against Brisbane. Nash collected 23 disposals, laid nine tackles and won seven clearances in a career-best performance against the Lions. Having previously been trialled in a range of roles across the field, Nash has since become a key cog in the Hawks midfield this season, producing a career-best year. Averaging 15.5 disposals and more than four tackles per game, the big-bodied Irishman provided extra grunt through the middle and begun to show a strong capacity to cover the ground with his aerobic capacity. His tally of 21 games was his most ever in a single season, as he managed to celebrate his 50th career match in the final round. With his relentless attack on the footy and outstanding tackling pressure, the 24-year-old will be keen to take things to the next level in 2023. 

Ned Reeves

With the club's ruck stocks depleted due to injuries to Ben McEvoy and Max Lynch, Ned Reeves breathed life into the Hawks' season with some stand-out performances. The 23-year-old made his debut in 2021 and played five games that year. He then went on to play the first five games of the 2022 season before dislocating his shoulder against Geelong. With surgery able to be put on hold for a period of time, Reeves went on to return in fine form across 12 games for the season. The young ruckman turned heads following his side's Round 18 win over West Coast, registering a career-high 39 hit-outs, while also hitting the scoreboard with two majors. He finished the contest with nine disposals, including three inside 50s. From there, Reeves hasn’t looked back. Averaging 26.9 hit-outs per game, including eight to advantage, Reeves also demonstrated an ability to push forward and provide a target inside 50. His impressive performances saw him take home the club’s Most Promising Player for 2022.

Dylan Moore

After producing a break-out campaign last year that ignited his career, Dylan Moore impressed many as he took another massive step forward in his development to lift to another level in 2022. Establishing himself as one of the most damaging young small forwards in the league, Moore also demonstrated his versatility this year in the midfield. Despite the move, Moore still managed to kick 26 goals for the year. He averaged 20.2 disposals, 5.6 marks and 1.2 goals per game, which saw him graded as “elite” comparative to his peers. An emerging leader within the club and a team-first player, Moore has excelled at every opportunity presented before him. After almost facing a delisting three years ago, it is a testament to the work ethic of the 23-year-old to turn things around like he has.

Connor Macdonald

While the demands of playing almost an entire 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. At just 19, 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 an ability to impact the scoreboard, booting nine goals. Having had great exposure at the top level in his first year, Macdonald is poised to be a consistent contributor in the near future.