From debuts to memorable games to epic moments, there were plenty of feel-good stories in the brown and gold this year. 

Here are some of our favourites below. 

Buddy returns

How great was it to see Hawthorn champion Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin back at a Hawks game this year? In the Hawks’ Round 7 clash with Sydney, Buddy graced us with his presence at the MCG, much to the delight of both Hawks and Swans fans.

Dear’s first game and goal

It was a special occasion at Marvel Stadium as Calsher Dear, son of 1991 Norm Smith Medallist Paul Dear, made his AFL debut. We’re sure everyone has watched the touching video of mentor Jack Gunston delivering Dear with his debut news. Then on the day, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Dear complemented his maiden game with his first goal. It was no surprise to see every player get around him on the field. 

A couple of legends reach massive milestones

Not one but two triple premiership players reached massive milestones in 2024, with Jack Gunston playing his 250th game and Luke Breust achieving the 300-match milestone. Fittingly, Gunston reached 250 games against his former side Adelaide while Breust had the opportunity to run out with his daughter Freya in the club’s Semi Final bout with Port Adelaide. 

All Australians

Three Hawks donned All Australian blazers for the first time this year, with Dylan Moore, Tilly Lucas-Rodd and Aileen Gilroy all being selected in the final AFL and AFLW All Australian teams. Lucas-Rodd and Gilroy have a particularly special place in Hawthorn history, becoming the first two AFLW Hawks to make an All Australian team. The Hawks also achieved another milestone with a record six nominations for the squad, with Jenna Richardson, Lucy Wales, Eliza West and Aine McDonagh being named. Massimo D’Ambrosio also earned his first All Australian squad selection while James Sicily was named for the third time in his career.  

Meek Mondays

There was truly nothing better than rocking up to work on Monday after a Hawthorn win, because we all knew what it meant. Thanks for making Mondays a little better, Lloyd.  

Membership record

For the third year in a row, the brown and gold faithful helped the club break its membership record. In 2024, 83,823 members signed up with the club in what was a memorable year. With 60,000 members already signed up for 2025, it’s a perfect time to jump on board. Click here to check out some of our popular membership options! 

THAT roar during the Carlton game

You know what we’re talking about. It wasn’t after a goal or a bruising tackle or an excellent smother, it was when the MCG big screen showed Hawthorn sitting in the Top 8 during their 74-point win over Carlton in Round 22. The Hawks would end up rising to seventh and playing finals for the first time since 2018.  

McClelland trophy

Following a memorable year where Hawthorn’s AFL and AFLW teams broke finals droughts, Hawthorn was awarded the 2024 McClelland Trophy. It came down to the wire in Round 10 of the AFLW season but Daniel Webster’s team came home strong in the final quarter to seal the deal.  

Finals berths

For the first time ever, both Hawthorn’s AFL and AFLW sides experienced finals. The Hawks’ Elimination Final win over the Western Bulldogs in particular will be remembered by the brown and gold faithful for a long time, with a record 97,828 fans showing out at the MCG. 

A big dub in the AFL Blind Grand Final

Hawthorn’s AFL Blind team claimed its third premiership, recording a 15-point win over Port Melbourne. Steve Obeid was named Player of the Match. And of course, the team took a winning selfie post-game. 

Selfies! 

There were selfies aplenty in 2024 across AFL, AFLW and AFL Blind. Which one was your favourite?   

Hokwarts 

The Wizard went from a nickname to a bay, with the brown and gold faithful transforming bays at the MCG and Adelaide Oval to Hokwarts. It certainly spurred on Nick Watson, who had a finals campaign to remember in his first AFL season. 

Two Hawks favourites reach 75 AFLW games

Inaugural Hawks Kaitlyn Ashmore and Tilly Lucas-Rodd both played their 75th AFLW games this season. Following stints with Brisbane and North Melbourne, Ashmore achieved the milestone against Fremantle in Week 6 in what ended up being one of the most gritty wins in Hawthorn AFLW history. Following playing their 50th game in their first season at the Hawks, Lucas-Rodd reached the 75-match milestone in the club’s first-ever finals game against Brisbane at IKON Park.  

THAT Geelong v Hawthorn AFLW game

Those who witnessed Geelong taking on Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium in Week 5 of the AFLW season would say it’s one of the best AFLW games they’ve seen. It was extra special for the Hawks who had three first-time goalkickers in that match, with Mackenzie Eardley, Jasmine Fleming and Laura Stone all hitting the scoreboard. After a seesawing contest, the Hawks recorded an 18-point win.  

HOK

The word of the year. But what does it mean? In response to Buddy Franklin’s question, “maybe the meaning of hok is the friends we made along the way.”