In brief
AFL matches: 25
Disposals per game: 14
Kicks: 7.8
Tackles per game: 3.8
Goals: 52
Review
Luke Breust has the second best win-loss record of any player in the competition.
The only player with a better ratio is teammate and fellow New South Welshman, Isaac Smith.
The 24-year-old small forward, who made his AFL debut in 2011, played 25 out of a possible 26 games for the Hawks in 2016.
He averaged 14 disposals, seven kicks and two goals in his appearances for the brown and gold.
Now a three-time premiership player, Breust produced his fourth 40-goal home-and-away season in a row.
He finished the season with 52 goals, as the Hawks’ second highest goalkicker behind Jack Gunston (57) and ninth overall in league.
The 24-year-old has proved a barometer for the Hawks this season. In victories, he has averaged a career-high 15.5 disposals and had an impact on the scoreboard.
But in Hawthorn’s seven losses across the year, he managed only five goals.
The statistics show that when Breust is on, so too are the Hawks.
He is quick, agile and wreaks havoc for the opposition at ground level, but Breust said the success of this current Hawks crop is still surreal.
“We were so fortunate to get back there for another year,” Breust said.
“It’s obviously a childhood dream to play in an AFL grand final – even just playing an AFL game.
“That first one in 2012 was so surreal, and then to go on to lose that, it’s been pretty motivating over the last couple of years to get back to the top and then to win some.”
GM - Football Operations Chris Fagan says...
“It’s hard to kick 50 goals as a small forward – 50 goals is like 80 or 90 goals for a tall forward, I think,” said Fagan.
“Breusty is definitely one of our heartbeat players, a bit like Isaac Smith. The opposition worry about him a lot because he’s quick, he’s agile, a real team player, good in the air and at ground level.
“To be able to back up an All Australian year in 2014 with another 50-goal season, and to kick six goals in our semi-final – after probably not having such a good game the week before against West Coast – says heaps for his character and resilience.
“He’s come a long way from a rookie from New South Wales in such a short time, it’s a great story.”
In the news
VIDEO: GF: Soaking it up
NEWS: Hawks Sharpshooter Luke Breust on Target
VIDEO: Ask a Hawk: Breust
NEWS: Celebrating Grassroots: Luke Breust
VIDEO: Fibre of Footy: Breust
