With the season fast approaching, we've taken a look at which Hawks you should keep an eye on as you fill out your squads.
Starting with the defenders...
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The lock: James Sicily $694,000
James Sicily took his AFL Fantasy credentials from a run-of-the-mill option in 2017 (averaging 74.3) to a premium choice last season. Sicily played 14 home and away games in 2018, proving a consistent high-scorer. In his last six games of the year, the 24-year-old never recorded a score below 90, seeing a continuous rise in his fantasy value. That value figures to rise again this season as Sicily appears to be the Hawks primary beneficiary of the game’s new kick-in rules.
The smoky: Grant Birchall $350,000
The price of securing Grant Birchall’s services this season is a similar cost to a player who punched out a 45-55-point average last year. Given that, before injury ravaged his 2017 and 2018 campaigns, the four-time premiership player had not fallen below an average of 81, recruiting Birchall to your side could prove a masterstroke. The 31-year-old is certainly one to keep an eye on as he navigates his way back to full health.
The rookie: Harrison Jones $170,000
With the injury to Tom Mitchell comes opportunity for a range of young Hawks. Opportunity for increased midfield time or, simply, an opportunity to realise a dream and make an AFL debut. Harry Jones is yet to make a senior appearance in the brown and gold, but his summer has many touting that that time is not far away. A relative unknown commodity, the fact that he is a basement-priced defender who could play midfield minutes, Jones could well be worth taking up one of your rookie spots.
