IT’S been ten years since the Hawks last had two picks inside the top 20 at the NAB AFL Draft.
This year, the Hawks will head to the draft holding picks 15 and 18.
In 2005, the Hawks held a bevy of early picks, including picks three, six, 14, 18 and 22.
Three of those players have enjoyed premiership success with the Hawks, with pick 14 producing a four-time premiership player for the club.
Pick 3 – Xavier Ellis
Taken behind only Marc Murphy (Carlton) and Dale Thomas (Collingwood), Xavier Ellis became a premiership player in just his third season as an AFL footballer.
He was named the club’s best first year player in 2007, before featuring in 23 games in 2008, the club’s first flag under Alastair Clarkson.
A skilful utility, Ellis spent time in midfield and defence during his eight years and 86 games as a Hawk, also playing in the 2012 grand final.
However injuries hampered the Gippsland Power product, who joined the West Coast Eagles as a free agent at the end of 2013, and has since taken his AFL games tally to a total of 118.
Pick 6 – Beau Dowler
Versatile tall Beau Dowler managed sixteen games in five seasons as a Hawk.
The 196-centimetre Oakleigh Chargers product made his debut in 2006, featuring in two matches.
Dowler managed a career-best four goals against Richmond in Round 21, 2009, and three the following week against Essendon.
But those were his last appearances for Hawthorn, as he was unable to secure a senior game in 2010 and was delisted at the end of the season.
Pick 14 – Grant Birchall
The pick of the '05 litter was undoubtedly defender Grant Birchall, who has become a four-time premiership Hawk.
Birchall made his debut in Round 1, 2006, and has since played 216 senior matches.
He was the Hawks’ best first year player in his first season, and in 2012 became an All Australian defender.
With elite foot skills and superb decision making with the ball in hand, the Tassie Mariners product is among the competition’s leading defenders and has averaged more than 22 disposals per game across his career.
Just 27 years of age, Birchall has plenty still ahead of him.
Pick 18 – Max Bailey
Ruckman Max Bailey was cruelled by injury during his time as a Hawk, but tasted the ultimate team success in the club’s 2013 premiership win.
After playing four games in his debut season, Bailey featured just twice at AFL level over the next four seasons due to three ACL injuries.
The 206-centimetre West Perth product persevered, playing 16 games in 2011, before his 2012 season was again disrupted by injury.
In 2013, Bailey played 19 matches, including the grand final, before retiring after 43 matches.
Pick 22 – Beau Muston
It took Beau Muston four years to make his AFL debut, but it was a game to remember.
Knee injuries wiped out the midfielder’s first three seasons, but he collected 31 disposals on debut against Melbourne in Round 9, 2009.
The Murray Bushrangers product played eight games in 2009, and another five games in 2010, but was delisted at the end of that season.
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The Hawks also picked up Travis Tuck (pick 38, 20 games), in the 2005 AFL Draft, and Luke McEntee, Lukas Markovic, Stephen Gilham, Ben Kane and Ben McGlynn in the rookie draft.
Defender Gilham joined the Hawks after being delisted by Port Adelaide, and played in the 2008 premiership among 98 club games.
At the pre-season draft, the Hawks added defender Brent Guerra, who had been delisted by St Kilda at the end of the season – and Guerra went on to play 159 games for the club, including the 2008 and 2013 premierships.
