One percenters
Josh Gibson (129) AFL rank (sixth): Another stellar season. On top of blocking, spoiling and his selfless work for teammates, Gibson has taken the most marks in the competition this season and spends more time on the ground per game than any other player.
Tackles
Liam Shiels (125) AFL rank (fourth): Will go close to breaking his best season tally for tackles (150 in 2011). With 15 games in 2015, Shiels averages the most tackles per match in the AFL (8.33), carrying on from 2014 where he was again Hawthorn’s most prolific tackler.
Contested possessions
Sam Mitchell (194) AFL rank (29th): The Brownlow smokey could be set to add best and fairest number five to his name after another season of brilliance. As important to the Hawks as ever, Mitchell is not only winning the footy in tight, he ranks second in the AFL for uncontested possessions (365) and sixth for total possessions (550).
Score involvements (ave. per game)
Jarryd Roughead (8.5) AFL rank (second): With 34 majors this season, Roughead’s own goal tally is down on recent seasons (75 in 2014, 72 in 2013), but he remains a major component of Hawthorn’s scoring prowess. The 28-year-old is also averaging more disposals per game (18.4) than in any other season in his 11-year career.
Score assists (total)
Cyril Rioli (34) AFL rank (second): All the talk might be that Cyril’s doing more with less, but a close look at his numbers say the Hawk hero is keeping on keeping on. His 2015 disposal average (15) is about the same as his entire career, as are his marks, tackles and goal assist numbers. Rioli is averaging more goals per game (1.8) in his career, and with 32 goals so far he is on track to beat his season best 39 goals in 2012. Add to that his creation of scores for the Hawks and you can put to bed any talk of who is the best small forward in the League.
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