Hawthorn welcomed seven promising debutants in season 2023.

Hawks fans had plenty to be excited by with the likes of Josh Weddle, Cam Mackenzie, Seamus Mitchell and mid-season recruit Brandon Ryan all shining on the big stage with their opportunities. 

We had a look back at each of our 2023 debutants below.  

Josh Weddle 

Games: 17 / Av. Disposals: 17.3 / Av. Marks: 5.1 / Total Goals: 4 

When it comes to draftees around the competition this season, Weddle's first year in the system was one to impress. The 19-year-old made his AFL debut in Round 7 and did not miss a game since, going on to play 17 senior matches for the year. In just his fourth AFL appearance, Weddle produced a break-out performance finishing with two goals, 28 disposals, seven marks and seven intercept possessions, which earned him a Rising Star nomination. Arriving the club last year as Pick 18 in the national draft, the emerging star has averaged 17.3 disposals at 78.6 per cent efficiency, 5.1 marks and 273 metres gained per outing, while also displaying his versatility, kicking four goals for the season.  

Cam Mackenzie 

Games: 14 / Av. Disposals: 13.3 / Total Goals: 3 

Mackenzie made an immediate impact during his first pre-season, which lead to his AFL debut in Round 1. Collecting 18 touches in his first game, the smooth-moving midfielder showed poise and balance beyond his years, going at 80 per cent efficiency, which included nine contested disposals and three clearances. His maiden performance also caught the attention of the fans, earning Hawthorn’s first MVP nod of the season. A highly touted junior with a strong ball-winning ability, Mackenzie's work-ethic and composure has been a stand-out since arriving to the club as Pick 7 in the 2022 national draft. The 188cm midfielder went on to piece together 14 appearances at the top level this season, averaging 13.3 disposals per game while also booting three goals for the year.  

Seamus Mitchell 

Games: 14 / Av. Disposals: 16.6 / Av. Marks: 4.7 / Av. Rebound 50s: 2.4 

After managing just nine VFL games across two seasons since joining the club as Pick 29 in the 2020 national draft, few would have foreseen the year that Mitchell ended up having in 2023. Delisted in November last year, Mitchell shortly landed a second chance at Hawthorn via the rookie draft and has not looked back since. After featuring among Box Hill's best early in the season, the forward-turned-defender deservedly made his long-awaited AFL debut in Round 5. Once he came into the seniors, Mitchell became an ultra-consistent performer, averaging 16.6 disposals across his 14 appearances, including five games where he finished with 20 disposals or more. He also earned a Rising Star nomination in Round 17 following an impressive month of football. The promising youngster put pen to paper on a new two-year deal with the club in June, continuing to add to his impressive turnaround.  

Brandon Ryan 

Games: 3 / Av. Disposals: 6 / Total Goals: 3 / Av. Marks: 3.3 

Having made the leap from local footy to the AFL in just over six months, Ryan was selected by Hawthorn with Pick 12 in this year's mid-season rookie draft. The 25-year-old found himself on the Hawks list after catching the eyes of recruiters during the first half of the VFL season while dominating for the Northern Bullants. Ryan broke through for his first AFL game eight weeks later against St Kilda in Round 20, finishing with one goal. The 200cm Barwon Heads product then rose to another level in his second game the following week, kicking three goals from nine disposals and five marks in Hawthorn's massive win over premiership favourites Collingwood in front of more than 62,000 fans at the MCG.  

Henry Hustwaite 

Games: 2 / Av. Disposals: 14 / Av. Score Involvements: 4 / Total Goals: 2  

Hustwaite earned the opportunity to play the final two games of the season after toiling away with Box Hill for the majority of 2023. He made a whirlwind debut in Round 23 after receiving a last-minute call-up from coach Sam Mitchell. Despite his limited preparation for the occasion, the 19-year-old did not disappoint. Hustwaite finished with 15 disposals and five tackles to go with his two goals in an excellent first outing. Taken at Pick 37 in last year's national draft, the 195cm midfielder looks composed beyond his years, whereby across his 14 appearances for Box Hill this year he also averaged 18.9 disposals, along with 4.6 tackles per game.  

Max Ramsden  

Games: 2 / Av. Disposals: 7 / Av. Hit-outs: 7 

After several dominant performances in the VFL, Ramsden was able to breakthrough at AFL level in Round 7. The talented 203cm big man has been one of the Hawks to watch during his short time at the club after being snapped up by the brown and gold in the 2022 mid-season draft. Ramsden has also showed a great ability to contribute both in the ruck and up forward with Box Hill this year, averaging 16.4 hit-outs per game while also kicking 12 goals from 14 games. The 20-year-old signed on with the club earlier this year, ensuring he remains as a Hawk for at least the next two seasons.  

Bailey Macdonald 

Games: 2 / Av. Disposals: 12.5 / Av. Intercept Marks: 2

Following a late change, Macdonald made his AFL debut against Port Adelaide in Round 12, with his selection coming off the back of some consistent VFL performances. Macdonald joined the brown and gold following the 2022 national draft, where the Hawks selected the speedster with Pick 51. Across his two senior games, Macdonald averaged 12.5 disposals and 5.5 marks per game. The 19-year-old rebound defender has also been a consistent contributor for Box Hill this year, averaging 16.5 disposals across his 16 VFL appearances. Hailing from the Oakleigh Chargers, Macdonald boasts line-breaking pace and has shown his ability to take the game on when the opportunity presents with his run and carry.