If 2022 is anything to go by, there is plenty to get excited about in Hawthorn's attack in 2023.
Last year saw Mitch Lewis re-invent himself as an ultra damaging key forward, Dylan Moore took the next step in his career finishing third in the club's best and fairest, while veteran Luke Breust showed that he still has what it takes to be placed among the best forwards in the competition.
Here's all you need to know about how Hawthorn's forward line is shaping up for this season.
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Who to watch
Fergus Greene
After arriving at the club at the end of last season from the VFL, the 25-year-old will be eager to make the most of the opportunity he has in 2023. The delisted free agent has received a second chance at an AFL career after landing at the Hawks following a stellar few seasons with Box Hill including last year where he led the club's goalkicking. Greene has enjoyed a great first pre-season with Hawthorn, including kicking three against Collingwood in a thrilling practice game last week.
Dylan Moore
Moore had a superb season in 2022, averaging 20.2 disposals, and not missing a game. The youngster was one of four players in 2022 to average 20 or more possessions and a goal per game, featuring among Collingwood's Jordan de Goey, Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli and reigning Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps. The 23-year-old recently inked new three-year deal and was named as his club's vice captain heading into 2023, alongside his mentor and teammate Luke Breust. Moore has been a clear stand-out amongst the Hawks this pre-season, playing across half-forward in a role where he could establish himself as one of the very best in the competition in 2023.
Jacob Koschitzke
With Mitch Lewis expected to miss the first month of the season, an opening has been made for Koschitzke as a replacement candidate to help spearhead Hawthorn’s attack. In the Hawks' two pre-season clashes against Geelong and Collingwood, Koschitzke hasn't struggled to find the ball up forward with his strong marking a particular stand-out. Although his conversion on the scoreboard needs some improvement, Koschitzke will no doubt provide a key target up forward, giving fans plenty to look forward to in 2023.
Breakout contender
Sam Butler
Butler’s injection into the Hawthorn attack last year 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. Possessing a strong crumbing ability and great goal sense, the 19-year-old has all the traits to be a a top-line player and hopefully with some more opportunities in 2023, Hawks fans can continue to see that evolve. The young Hawk put pen to paper on a new deal last month, locking him away for at least another two years in the brown and gold.
The Returnee
Chad Wingard
After an interrupted season last year due to several injury niggles, Wingard is now back and looking better than ever. Coach Sam Mitchell has spoken publicly about Wingard’s impressive 2023 pre-season stating the 29-year-old is “in the best shape he's been in since he's been at Hawthorn”. The 29-year-old, who played his 200th game in 2022, is a proven star in the attacking half, regularly hitting the scoreboard. Despite playing 10 games last year, his average of 1.7 goals per game was his best since pulling on the brown and gold four seasons ago. But it’s Wingard’s ability to blow open a game from the midfield that is arguably his biggest asset, often providing a much-needed spark in the engine room and when the Hawks need it most. With a host of young and exciting small forwards, Wingard could be a key figure to help fast-track the development of the Hawks attack.
From the coach...
Assistant Coach Chris Newman recently provide his player by player review of each Hawks forward's 2023 pre-season. You can read what he had to say HERE.
The two big questions…
Can Dylan Moore take another next step this season?
Arguably one of the AFL’s most underrated players, Moore was quietly going about his business in 2022 of becoming one of Hawthorn’s most dangerous players. After averaging a goal per game in 2021, Moore elevated to new heights in 2022. Not only did he manage to maintain his damage on the scoreboard, but he also showed off his capabilities through the midfield, averaging more than 20 disposals per game. Capable of moving from forward to the midfield with ease, we expect Moore to be very hungry to continue to feast in both roles in 2023. After finishing 34th in the club’s 2019 Peter Crimmins Medal count to 26th in 2020, and then to fourth in 2021, Moore took another leap forward finishing third in the award in 2022. And as we've seen so far this pre-season the youngster hasn't missed a beat. But what's the next step for him this season? Can he win a Peter Crimmins Medal or potentially make the All Australian squad?
READ MORE ON EVERY FORWARD'S PRE-SEASON REVIEW
Will Luke Breust top the goalkicking tally for the fifth time?
Last year saw star forward Luke Breust take out Hawthorn's leading goalkicking title for the fourth year. Breust (40 goals) narrowly pipped Mitch Lewis (37) as the marginally straighter kicker earning him his fourth club goalkicking title. Breust has been the dominant man in the Hawks forward line in recent years, having also reached the accomplishment in 2018, 2019 and 2021. Last year marked the most goals Breust has kicked since 2018 when he finished with a career-high 54 for the season and an All Australian selection. With 481 career goals now to his name, Breust claimed seventh place on the Hawks’ all-time goals list after surpassing John Peck's 475 goals and in 2023 he now has his eyes set on reaching a 500-goal milestone.
More 2023 AFL Season Guides: Full season preview | Defenders | Midfielders
