It's that time of the year where we look ahead to the next and ponder what could be in store for the club in 2024.
There are a couple of things on our wish list that we'd love to see in the new year - what are some of yours?
1. #Punky300
With 281 games currently on the board, Luke Breust is set to become just the ninth player in Hawthorn history to play 300 games. The two-time All Australian, who was originally selected from Temora with Pick 47 in the 2009 rookie draft has forged his name into one of the greats at the club. Ever-reliable and consistent, Breust kicked 500 career goals in 2023 and was once again his side’s most damaging player up forward - if he remains on track we could see him notch up the even bigger milestone in 2024!
2. Weddle's movin' on up
He took out Hawthorn's Most Promising Player award this year, and if his debut season is anything to go by, we have a feeling that the sky is the limit for Josh Weddle. With a second full pre-season under his belt heading into next season - and with a recent time trial win already holding him in good stead - he has all the foundations to become a breakout contender in 2024. Here's hoping that some more achievements are on the way for the talented youngster.
3. More Tassie wins
Hawthorn produced a stellar year down in Tassie in 2023, winning three of its four games at its home away from home. We're hoping that the good Tassie energy continues in 2024 with more wins on the board. With games scheduled against St Kilda, GWS, Fremantle and North Melbourne, we can't wait for the exciting match-ups in Launceston.
4. Construction of KCC
Hawthorn's future home at the Kennedy Community Centre has reached an exciting juncture with major construction slated to begin in the new year. The transformational project will safeguard the club's future, creating a long-term home for the entire Hawthorn family. We're looking forward to seeing how the 28-hectare site at Dingley Village takes off the ground and progresses in 2024.
5. BIG crowds
This year we averaged more than 50,000 fans at our MCG home games for the first time since our three-peat era. With plenty to look forward to next year with such a young and developing group, we're excited to see the brown and gold in full force once again and hopefully even more of you in the stands in 2024!
6. A win on Easter Monday
After winning their first Easter Monday clash in four years against the Cats in 2022, could the Hawks get back on the winning list in 2024? It was one of our most memorable victories in recent years and we're really wishing we can do it all again next year.
7. New-look forward line
There's so much to look forward to in the Hawks' attack this year, including old mates and dangerous forward combination Luke Breust and Jack Gunston reuniting. The duo join the likes of Mitch Lewis, Connor Macdonald and Dylan Moore spearheading a forward line alongside new recruits in Jack Ginnivan, Nick Watson and Mabior Chol. We're excited to see the group combine together come next year.
8. Some healthy returns
After battling frustrating 2023 campaigns, we can't wait to see the likes of Mitch Lewis, Changkuoth Jiath and Chad Wingard get back to full health and make their return from injury in 2024. Here's hoping the boys can string together some more consistency once they get their bodies right.
9. Seeing more of YOU!
After cracking more than 80,000 members for the second consecutive season in 2023, we're hoping to keep the ball rolling next year. In a massive win for the club, we've already surged passed 50,000 members prior to Christmas. With a young, exciting and talented list of players, we're looking forward to you all continuing on our journey with us in 2024.
10. An MCG trifecta
With the first three games of our 2024 season set to be played out at the MCG, Victorian fans have plenty to look forward to come March! We might as well aim high to kick off the season - three wins to launch our campaign would be the perfect way to do just that.
11. Retro Round vibes
Having beat the eventual premiership winners Collingwood in the club's return of the match this season, Retro Round turned out to be one of the most exciting games for Hawks fans this season for several reasons. With a new iconic jumper set to take over in 2024, we're really hoping we can do it all over again!
12. Ratts is back!
How good is it having Brett Ratten back at the club!? We have no doubt Ratts will make a positive impact, much like he did during his time as an assistant coach during our three-eat era. Once having worked with Sam as a player, we can't wait to see how their dynamic evolves now as coaches.
13. Merry milestones
With several milestones on the cards in 2024, we're hoping to see the boys tick off as many as possible. The earliest one is set to come in Round 3 with the ever-reliable Blake Hardwick scheduled to celebrate his 150th game at he MCG in our Easter Monday clash against Geelong. What an occasion to do it!
14. The tagging continues?
Finn Maginness has taken several impressive scalps across the last two years, including restricting superstars Josh Kelly, Clayton Oliver and Josh Daicos. We're excited to see what impact he can make next year and how he keeps evolving his game.
15. An inaugural Gather Round win
The Hawks headline a bumper Gather Round for 2024, set to take on 2023 premiership winners Collingwood in Round 4. Despite not getting the chocolates in the maiden Gather Round match last year against GWS, it was a highly entertaining contest, with the Hawks just narrowly going down by just two points. Here's hoping we can pencil our first win for the round this year.
16. Box Hill surge to finals
With a top four finish, a preliminary final berth, and fourteen wins for the season – all under a new coach – it’s fair to say Box Hill exceeded expectations this year. We're aiming big here, but we really hope they can go one step further in 2024 with securing a grand final appearance.
17. AFLW fresh talent
With several new faces already arriving to the club ahead of their next campaign - including Hayley McLaughlin, Jess Vukic and Laura Stone - we can't wait to see the girls back in action later in the year! Here's hoping we see many more debuts and milestones for the girls in 2024.
18. Midfield power
This year we saw the emergence of an exciting and new Hawthorn midfield, with the likes of Jai Newcombe, Will Day, James Worpel and Conor Nash all excelling in the engine room. Where can this powerhouse group take their game in 2024? We have a feeling there is much more to come!
19. All Australian selection
James Sicily became the first Hawk in five years to earn an All Australian selection in 2023. Jai Newcombe and Luke Breust were the other two Hawks to feature in this year's extended squad. Will we see Sis go back to back with honours, or maybe another Hawk can crack into the league's best in 2024?
20. Nashy to keep rising
It was one of the feel-good stories of the year. We couldn't help but smile after seeing Conor Nash finish in the top three of the club's best and fairest. He averaged 24 possessions and played every game this year, leading him to become the most feared midfield bull in the competition. An improver year in, year out - we're eager to see how Nashy continues to elevate his game in 2024.
21. Wheelchair and AFL Blind success
This year we saw Hawthorn's wheelchair team win their first ever VWFL premiership. The Hawks also dominated the AFL Blind space this year, with Hawthorn gold and Hawthorn Brown battling it out in the grand final, with Brown crowned the 2023 VBFL premiers. We'd love to see both teams back up their winning ways come next season!
22. Consistency in performances
In terms of on-field performance, finding greater consistency is at the top of the agenda for the club's young side heading into 2024. After taking some impressive scalps this year against several top teams, the Hawks will look to build on their progress made this year and climb the ladder as they mature and develop.
23. New recruits in action
Hawthorn unveiled seven debutants in 2023, with each making the most of their opportunities on the big stage. With several newcomers arriving to the club following the recent trade and draft period, could we see another dozen or so make their AFL and club debuts this year?
24. More games into youth
The Hawks had the youngest average age in the league, and made the most of it by exposing its emerging talent to the top level in 2023. The likes of Changkuoth Jiath, Jack Ginnivan, Ned Reeves, Finn Maginness, Josh Ward, Connor Macdonald, Lloyd Meek and Denver Grainger-Barras are now all within a season's reach of 50 games. With their best football yet to come, we have no doubt that we'll continue to see a lot of improvement in this group in 2024!
