Young players have been gradually emerging from unbroken pathways and hitting the AFLW hard in recent seasons.

They are a resilient bunch, joining the competition during a particularly tumultuous time - thanks COVID - but are still changing the face of AFLW. 

So, who at Hawthorn was born in 2001 or later and is forming part of this changing of the guard?  

Player information is correct as at February 27. The 2023 AFLW priority signing period will open on March 1, with the trade period commencing on March 10. Draft details are yet to be confirmed ahead of AFLW season eight.

Hawthorn's U23 AFLW players

Player  Age at Dec. 31 2023  Career games  Rising Star eligibility 
Zoe Barbakos  20y 49d 7 Eligible for nomination
Charlotte Baskaran  19y 22d 10 Eligible for nomination
Bridget Deed 20y 299d 5 Eligible for nomination
Mackenzie Eardley  19y 353d 7 Eligible for nomination
Laura Elliott  19y 65d 6 Eligible for nomination
Emily Everist  19y 167d 4 Eligible for nomination
Jasmine Fleming  19y 56d 9 Nominated round five, season seven
Bridie Hipwell 19y 199d 6 Eligible for nomination
Sophie Locke  22y 251d 9 Not eligible 
Jenna Richardson 22y 76d 5 Not eligible 
Lucy Wales  20y 215d 10 Nominated round seven, season seven 

 

Hit the ground running 

Hawthorn's first ever draft pick Jasmine Fleming has already lived up to the expectation, with her smooth moves out of stoppages and uncanny composure for a teenager a feature of the club's debut season.

Adding to her clean skills is an impressive ability to adapt to wet conditions, with arguably her best games coming in wet weather, including 25 disposals and six clearances against the Western Bulldogs in round four, and 23 disposals and five intercepts against Brisbane in round nine. 

Long term prospect 

Genuine tall defenders are a rare commodity in AFLW, so for Hawthorn to have the intelligence and height of Mackenzie Eardley in its ranks is a big win in itself. 

As Eardley develops strength and confidence, she has the potential to be an x-factor for the Hawks down back, in a similar vein of Tahlia Gillard's strong season in Melbourne's recent premiership season. Throughout her debut season, Eardley used her average 7.1 disposals at 70 per cent efficiency, while also registering an average of 2.4 tackles and 3.3 rebounds in the process. 

Surprise packet 

Another defender, Jenna Richardson's impact on the Hawks in the back half of the season was immense. Without Richardson in the side for rounds one to five due to a thigh injury, Hawthorn conceded an average of 45.6 points per game. Upon Richardson's addition to the side, the side conceded nearly a goal less each game. While not all of this can be credited to Richardson, her impact was certainly felt. 

Often tasked with a dangerous forward, including the likes of Erin Phillips and Cora Staunton, the Hawk significantly limits the output of whoever she is assigned to blanket.