With just six games left of the 2023 home-and-away season, several Hawks are pushing their case for the club's most coveted honour – the Peter Crimmins Medal.

We’ve taken a look at the top six contenders that we believe to be in the mix for this year's best and fairest award.

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Will Day

Games: 15

Disposal average: 26.3

Following a solid year of development last year, Will Day has established himself among the league’s best midfielders this year. 

Day has thrived in a more central throughout this season, slotting into the Hawks midfield seamlessly in 2023 after making the move from defence.

His toughness around the contest and poise by foot have been defining features of his game, which has seen him currently average 26.3 disposals per game - the most of any Hawk. 

Averaging career-high tallies across most statistics so far this year, Day is likely to pick up a handful of votes early on in the count following on from his brilliant start to the season, however his two-week suspension could impact his chances.

But at only 21 years of age, Day has plenty of upside moving forward. Could we see him join the likes of teammate James Worpel as one of the club’s youngest best and fairest winners?

Jai Newcombe 

Games: 17

Disposal average: 24.2 

After finishing runner-up in last year’s count following a break-out season that ignited his career, Jai Newcombe has again been an integral part of the brown and gold in 2023. 

Now donning the prestigious number three, Newcombe has picked up from where he left off in 2022, assuming a lead role within Hawthorn’s young midfield brigade this season.

Renowned for his hard-nosed approach in the middle, Newcombe has averaged 24.2 disposals, 11.5 contested possessions and 5.7 clearances so far in his 17 games this year.

The 21-year-old is also generating scoring opportunities for the Hawks, highlighted by a team-high average of 6.5 score involvements per game, while also kicking a total of eight goals himself this year.

Newcombe has produced eight games of 25 or more disposals, while also averaging 4.7 inside 50s and 4.5 tackles a game.

Given his consistency throughout the year, the fan-favourite is in a strong position to notch up the votes in this year’s count. 

08:06

The AFL's best young player takes you through a full match day

Spend a day with Jai Newcombe.

Conor Nash

Games: 17

Disposal average: 23.9

Having showed glimpses of his midfield capabilities last year, big-bodied midfielder Conor Nash has emerged as one of the surprise packets of the 2023 season.

The Irishman has reached new heights so far this season, with the much-improved Hawk a hot chance to steal some votes in this year's count.

Demonstrating an ability to win his own ball while also holding some of the elite midfielders in the competition to account, Nash is a reliable player who does his role week in, week out.

The 24-year-old has averaged 5.2 tackles per game this season - the most of any Hawk for the amount of games played.

A stand-out performance came in Round 5 against GWS, which saw Nash collect 31 disposals and nine tackles, while limited the impact of Giant Tom Green in the second half.

 

James Sicily 

Games: 13

Disposal average: 26.2 

After winning his maiden Peter Crimmins Medal last year following a suburb season, Sicily again has been a reliable force for the Hawks this year. 

Aside from his on-field performance, the captain has again demonstrated his leadership qualities in 2023, providing a strong presence and great mentorship both on and off the field for Coach Sam Mitchell's young side.

A pillar in defence, Sicily is ranked first in the league for average marks per game (av 9.6 per game), second for intercept possessions (9) and sixth for rebound 50s (6.5).

He has also averaged the the second most disposals of any Hawk (26.2 per game) with a super impressive disposal efficiency of 82.4 per cent.

Despite having missed four games to suspension this year, it's hard to write Sicily off from potentially winning back-to-back medals. 

08:02

James Sicily's INSANE 43 Disposal Match Winning Performance

The captain was massive against the Saints over the weekend!

Blake Hardwick 

Games: 17

Disposal average: 20.5

While his influence may go underrated across the broader football world, Blake Hardwick is valued enormously within the four walls of Hawthorn. 

After finishing runner-up in the count in 2021, to just missing out on a podium finish last year, could this be the year we see Hardwick return to a top-three spot, or better yet break through to claim the top prize?

Often dubbed 'Mr Reliable', Hardwick has shutdown several key opposition players this year and is the type of player to never shy away from the contest.

Known for constantly putting his body on the line, Hardwick walked away with the club's Most Courageous award last year at the 2022 PCM awards night.

James Worpel

Games: 17

Disposal average: 26

Having taken out the prized honour in 2019, James Worpel is again back in the best and fairest discussions this year.  

The 24-year-old has continued to look at home around the contest and has been a model of consistency in 2023, averaging a career-high 26 disposals per game. 

Worpel is ranked equal-ninth for inside 50s (av. 5.5 per game) in the league and equal-12th for clearances (average 6.1 per game) alongside the likes of Gold Coast's Touk Miller, Melbourne's Christian Petracca and Collingwood's Jordan De Goey.

With one Peter Crimmins Medal already to his name, the midfield bull - who has played every game so far this year - could now be eyeing his second.