AFLW Senior Coach Daniel Webster provided some insight into Hawthorn’s newest recruits ahead of the 2024 season.
Whether it was via the trade, the draft or an expansion pre-signing acquisition, the Hawks have obtained a variety of talent to bolster the ranks.
Here’s what Webster had to say about each of the seven new recruits.
#2 Eliza West
Joined via the 2023 Trade Period from Melbourne.
“Westy’s been fantastic, clearly voted in as vice-captain off the back of her professionalism, she’s super completive and just loves training and pushing herself as hard as she possibly can all the time.
“But it’s her relationship skills, she’s such a people person and her ability to get around the group and support everyone, she’s such a positive personality for us so she’s had a massive impact.
“Training very well, obviously going to play as an inside mid this year, we’re super excited to have her in, think she’ll complement our midfield incredibly well.”
#6 Hayley McLaughlin
Joined via the 2023 AFLW Expansion Pre-Signing Period.
“Again another one who’s been very good. It was interesting when I got the job, with all our draft picks and list changes, I was doing a lot of research on everything, and I couldn’t believe how well we’d done and that’s a massive tick for the recruiters.
“And when I got here I was even more impressed and H is a great example, her decision making and skills are elite, works very hard.
“And even though she’s small in stature, has been very hard at the contest and showed that in the VFLW games especially.
“But is going to play a lot of games in the brown and gold.”
#14 Casey Sherriff
Joined via the 2023 Trade Period from Melbourne.
“Casey’s been another one, like again has had a massive pre-season, has been doing a lot of training through our midfield in all roles.
“And someone who we think can have, like the ceiling with Casey is massive. I think where previously she’s done a lot of role playing for Melbourne, but I think she’ll have a massive impact for us and I think she can become one of our prime movers in the midfield.
“We’re excited to see how Casey will go, and another one again, who’s hopefully going to have a massive year for us.”
#22 Laura Stone
Joined via the 2023 AFLW Expansion Pre-Signing Period.
“Again, just a natural footballer. Will play a little bit off half back, through the middle, can play anywhere.
“But just her ability in close and around contest is elite, very quick, uses the ball well, makes good decisions and again, has settled in really well.
“I think a lot of the young ones have been quiet but they’re all starting to come out of their shells, and Stoney is one of those.”
#23 Jess Vukic
Joined via the 2023 AFLW Expansion Pre-Signing Period.
“Again, really good. She’s training as a ruck and forward option for us and has been building very nicely through the preseason.
“So again, excited to see how she goes in both roles which we’ll get a look at over the next couple of weeks.”
#27 Mikayla Williamson
Joined via Pick #17 in the 2023 AFLW Draft.
“Again, another one who we thought, even someone today said, ‘How did Mikey get to pick 17?’.
“Elite pre-season, a great runner, again quick and covers the ground really well, skills are getting better and better.
“One of those players who is like a 60-70 metre player who can carry the ball a long way, kick it a long way. But again very hard at the football and the contested stuff has been really pleasing.
“She’ll play a bit of wing, a bit of half back but again can play a lot of different positions and I think will form a good duo helping through that midfield.”
#28 Sophie Butterworth
Joined via Pick #45 in 2023 AFLW Draft.
“Great, she’s just been progressively building and building and building, has been playing some big minutes for us now and is ready to go. Again, will be a bit of that forward line, little bit of ruck craft.
“One of those players who for her size, her agility and movement is exciting to see what we think that can be in the future.
“Again, I think another player who can be absolutely anything so it’s going to be a very exciting watch this space over the next couple of seasons.”
Watch Webster’s full interview below.
