The countdown is officially on until the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft which begins next week on Wednesday 20 November. 

Held over two nights, the Hawks currently have Picks 33, 71 and 77. 

Before we look ahead to this year’s draft, we look back at how last year’s draft class performed this season.

Nick Watson - Pick 5

AFL games: 18
AFL key stat averages: 10.8 disposals, 3.1 marks, 2.5 tackles
Number of goals: 25
Best game: Elimination Final v Western Bulldogs (11 disposals, 6 marks, 4 goals)

Being drafted with Pick 5 and making his debut in Round 1, it was clear to see the exciting potential of Nick Watson. The 19-year-old seemed to improve with each game he played, culminating in a Rising Star nomination for his Round 19 performance against Collingwood, as well as a maiden finals berth. At the end of the season, Watson was crowned the Most Promising player at Hawthorn’s Peter Crimmins Medal, highlighting the bright future ahead for the electric small forward. 

Will McCabe - Pick 19

VFL games: 7
VFL key stat averages: 10.7 disposals, 3.9 marks
Best game: Round 21 v Werribee (13 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles) 

Will McCabe’s first season as a Hawk was unfortunately an injury-impacted one, with the 19-year-old managing a back issue for most of the year. The emerging defender broke through for his VFL debut in Round 15 against Geelong and showed promising signs in the back half, suiting up for seven games, including a final. The South Australian product will look to have a strong pre-season in his bid to break through for a senior debut. 

Bodie Ryan - Pick 46

VFL games: 19
VFL key stat averages: 15.8 disposals, 4.6 marks
Best game: Round 21 v Werribee (1 goal, 23 disposals, 8 marks, 4 tackles) 

Bodie Ryan slotted in well to Box Hill’s back half in 2024, playing every possible game for Zane Littlejohn’s team. The 19-year-old was often tasked with playing on dangerous opposition small forwards but was also given the opportunity to showcase his run and dash off half-back. Like McCabe, the fellow South Australian product will look to hit the ground running come Monday 25 November, when he and Hawthorn’s other first to fourth-year players return to the track as he looks to improve on his promising 2024 VFL campaign.

Calsher Dear - Pick 56

AFL games: 17
AFL key stat averages: 7 disposals, 2.7 marks, 2.5 tackles
Number of goals: 25
Best game: Elimination Final v Western Bulldogs (10 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 3 goals)

If you had told Calsher Dear he would suit up for 17 AFL games in his debut season, he probably would have been more surprised than most. Initially coming into the team as a raw but exciting prospect, Dear’s potential was there for everyone to see. But it was his work rate and rapid improvement in his forward craft that saw him break through for an AFL debut in Round 8 this year and miss just one game after that. The 19-year-old earned a Rising Star nomination in Round 23 for his three goals against Richmond and followed in the footsteps of his father, Norm Smith Medallist Paul Dear, to shine on footy’s biggest stage, booting another three majors in Hawthorn’s memorable Elimination Final win over the Western Bulldogs at the MCG. 

Look out for your newest Hawks next week when the Telstra AFL Draft takes place on Wednesday 20 November and Thursday 21 November. 

Both draft nights will be broadcast on Fox Footy and Kayo Sports, with afl.com.au and the AFL App also providing streams.