Hawthorn President Andy Gowers says unity and stability have contributed to Hawthorn being crowned as the best-performing club in 2024.
The Hawks took home the McClelland Trophy on Sunday after enjoying the most successful combined seasons across the AFL and AFLW this year.
In 2024, the men notched up 14 wins during the home and away season to finish seventh, while the women recorded 10 victories from their 11 outings to finish second ahead of finals.
It's been a remarkable turnaround for the entire club in the past 12 months, after posting a combined 10 wins in 2023 across the AFL and AFLW.
Speaking on SEN's Whateley program on Monday morning, Gowers was proud to share the ingredients to Hawthorn's success.
"I think overall we are very pleased with the stability of the club," Gowers said.
"It’s been well documented that we have had some challenges over previous years, but I think our members and our members and our fans, and the wider footy community can understand that stability off the field helps you deliver results on the field. We’ve worked really hard on that, and I think we’re starting to see those results come through loud and clear."
The top-two finish for AFLW Hawks comes in just their third season in the competition following their inaugural campaign in 2022.
Gowers pointed out the positive impact that the introduction of the women's program has had on the club more broadly.
"It's revolutionising our club, it’s made a huge difference to our club," he said.
"The camaraderie that you build with the men’s and women’s program just gives you so much scope and we’re seeing the fruits of that.
"One of the most important things is that it highlights the unity within the club. We work really hard on that, the men support the women, and the women support the men very strongly, which is a really important element."
The brown and gold will embark upon its maiden AFLW finals campaign starting this Sunday with a Qualifying Final against Brisbane at IKON Park.
"I know our team is really excited about playing in front of a big crowd," Gowers said.
"I don’t know what the capacity is there, but it would great to fill the place and see lots of brown and gold scarves and jumpers getting down there and supporting our team in what is our first finals match ever."
