One of the most exciting things about the start of a season is seeing which players are primed to take the next step.
Whether it’s a youngster in his second or third year, or a bloke that something just seems to have clicked for, the satisfaction for the fan is all the same.
Through six rounds of the 2019 season, we’ve taken a look at some of these candidates who are having career-best campaigns.
To identify these improved players, we have looked at the seven significant statistical categories of disposals, goals, inside 50s, tackles, contested marks, clearances and contested possessions.
Midfielder Jaeger O’Meara is the clear stand-out across these statistics, averaging career-highs in five of these seven areas, while Ricky Henderson, Ben McEvoy and James Worpel.
So, take a look at this list and let us know who you think has been the most improved Hawk so far in 2019.
Disposals
Jaeger O’Meara (30.8, previous best 24 in 2018)
Ricky Henderson (25.3, 22.1 in 2016)
James Worpel (24.8, 17.6 in 2018)
James Sicily (24.3, 23.3 in 2018)
Daniel Howe (20.3, 17.8 in 2018)
Blake Hardwick (17.7, 16.4 in 2018)
David Mirra (17.5, 16.4 in 2018)
Jack Scrimshaw (17.2, 10 in 2017)
James Cousins (17, 13 in 2017)
Ben McEvoy (15.2, 14.6 in 2011)
Daniel Howe (20.3, 17.8 in 2018)
Goals
Liam Shiels (1.3, 0.6 in 2015)
Ben McEvoy (1, 0.6 in 2017)
Jaeger O’Meara (1, 0.8 in 2018)
James Cousins (0.8, 0.3 in 2017)
Inside 50s
Jaeger O’Meara (5.2, 4.9 in 2014)
James Worpel (4.3, 3.5 in 2018)
James Cousins (4.2, 2 in 2018)
Ricky Henderson (3.8, 3.3 in 2018)
Luke Breust (3.3, 3.1 in 2018)
Jon Ceglar (2, 1.7 in 2015)
Tackles
James Worpel (4.2, 3.9 in 2018)
Jon Ceglar (4, 3.2 in 2015)
Harry Morrison (3.8, 3.1 in 2018)
Blake Hardwick (3.7, 3 in 2016)
David Mirra (3, 1.4 in 2018)
Jack Scrimshaw (2.5, 0.8 in 2017)
Contested marks
Ben McEvoy (3.2, 2.3 in 2011)
Jarman Impey (1, 0.4 in 2014)
Jack Scrimshaw (1, 0.8 in 2017)
Clearances
Jaeger O’Meara (7.4, 4.9 in 2018)
James Worpel (6.2, 2.4 in 2018)
Daniel Howe (4.3, 2.7 in 2017)
Ricky Henderson (2.3, 1.5 in 2015)
James Cousins (1.5, 1 in 2018)
Contested possessions
Jaeger O’Meara (13.6, 10.6 in 2014)
James Worpel (12.3, 7.2 in 2018)
Ben McEvoy (10, 7.9 in 2011)
Ricky Henderson (8.3, 6 in 2016)
Daniel Howe (8, 7.4 in 2018)
Jack Scrimshaw (7.3, 3.8 in 2017)
Blake Hardwick (6.2, 5.6 in 2018)
Jarman Impey (5.8, 5.3 in 2016)
James Cousins (5.3, 5 in 2018)
