Key stats:

AFL games: 6

Total goals: 4

Goal accuracy per game: 66.7%

Disposals per game: 5.6

Marks per game: 2.7

Season summary:

Grainger-Barras took some strides in his development over the course of 2023, widening his skillset to spend part of of the year as a tall-forward. Initially drafted as a key backman, Grainger-Barras played in Box Hill's defence for the majority of the year, before he was sent forward and booted nine goals in back-to-back VFL games. He earned a call-up in the AFL side as a forward in Round 17, and collected a total of 27 touches and booted four goals across his four senior games towards the end of the season. 

Best AFL game:

After spending two weeks up forward, Denver was able to produce his best game in attack in Hawthorn's Round 22 win against the Western Bulldogs. The 21-year-old finished with nine disposals, five marks and a goal. 

What the coaches said:

"Denver spent some time up forward both in the VFL and AFL in 2023 and was able to grow that new area of his game. He had some really good contested marking moments and was very rarely beaten in a contest one-on-one. What we know with Denver is he is a beautiful kick of the footy so he was able to make sure he made the most of those opportunities he got. He'll continue to work on his craft as a forward and finding other avenues, rather than just the contested marking. But he provides an unbelievable energy, we love his competitiveness and what he's able to give." - Zane Littlejohn