Jack Gunston
Games: 11
Disposal average: 15.9
Goals: 16
Best performance: R10 v Port Adelaide – 21 possessions, nine marks, three tackles, six goals
Despite being below his career average of two goals per game, Gunston is maintaining a high level of play. Thrown around in various positions throughout the opening stages of the season, the All Australian forward has been somewhat settled back around goals in the past month. Gunston’s scoring potency was on show against Port Adelaide in Round 10 when he booted six goals in a match-defining performance. With his typical sharp-shooting ways not being as apparent as usual so far this year, the goal kicker will be keen to clean up his accuracy going forward.
Luke Breust
Games: 11
Disposal average: 13.7
Goals: 20
Best performance: R3 v North Melbourne – 13 possessions, five marks, five goals
Similar to Gunston, Luke Breust is yet to hit top gear in 2019 but he is still punching out some quality production in the Hawks forward line. Breust leads the Hawks goal kicking to this point, booting 20 goals. His best haul came in Round 3 when he kicked five against the Kangaroos to prove the difference in a closely-fought battle. Part of the 28-year-old forward’s value is his ability to apply defensive pressure as well, with only three players having laid more tackles inside 50 than this two-time All Australian Hawk.
Paul Puopolo
Games: 11
Disposal average: 11.3
Goals: 6
Best performance: R5 v Geelong – 13 possessions, three marks, three tackles, two goals
Speaking of pressure forwards, no one in the entire league has been more influential in this area in 2019 than this man. Poppy sits number one in the league for tackles inside forward 50 per game, averaging 2.3 per game. One of only eight Hawks to have played in every game so far this season, the 31-year-old’s scoring production may be down this year but when he is making opposition defenders as nervous as he has been, his benefit to the team is still high.
Chad Wingard
Games: 7
Disposal average: 13.7
Goals: 7
Best performance: R3 v North Melbourne – 10 possessions, three tackles, three marks, three goals
Chad Wingard has endured a somewhat frustrating start to his brown and gold with multiple soft tissue injuries hindering his chances of having a clean run at the first half of the season. Wingard missed the opening fortnight of the year with calf troubles but returned in exciting fashion when he kicked three goals on debut for the Hawks. The flashes of brilliance have been there for all to see for the talented goal sneak, but Wingard will undoubtedly be looking to put these on display in a more consistent fashion in the second half of the campaign.
Jarryd Roughead
Games: 6
Disposal average: 12.7
Goals: 8
Best performance: R4 v St Kilda – 14 possessions, six marks, three tackles, two goals
Roughead has been the subject of one of the Hawks’ biggest headlines of the year when Coach Alastair Clarkson dropped him from the senior side after the Round 7 loss to Melbourne. At that point, Roughead had booted eight goals in his previous five runs but it was decided that he would build confidence and form with Box Hill. Roughy has since played four games at VFL level, being named in the best in three occasions.
Mitch Lewis
Games: 6
Disposal average: 8.8
Goals: 7
Best performance: R11 v Brisbane – 8 possessions, three contested marks, two goals
Seen as the Hawks’ future as far as the key forward post goes, Lewis has played six games so far this year and has hit the scoreboard every time. His confidence at the level is visibly growing, highlighting not only by his goal kicking consistency but also his marking – he is averaging 2.5 contested marks per game in his last four matches. Likely to be given a fair bit of opportunity in the back half of the year, if the 20-year-old can continue this steady improvement in his performance, then Hawks fans will be pleased.
Conor Nash
Games: 5
Disposal average: 8
Goals: 2
Best performance: R3 v North Melbourne – 11 possessions, four marks, three inside 50s, one goal
Off the back of a stand-out pre-season campaign, Conor Nash played each of the opening five games in 2019. Nash possesses a strong running ability for a man of his size and his aggression at the man and ability to apply defensive pressure in the forward line makes him an enticing prospect. At 20 years of age, his development is still in its early stages. But with 10 senior games now under his belt, the Irishman now knows what it takes to become a consistent performer at AFL level.
Dylan Moore
Games: 4
Disposal average: 12.8
Goals: 1
Best performance: R9 v Richmond – 15 possessions, seven marks, five inside 50s, one goal
Hawthorn’s only debutant so far in 2019, Dylan Moore pulled on the brown and gold jumper for the first time in Round 3 against North Melbourne. His time at the top level was short-lived for the moment though as he was forced to return to the VFL to toil his way back for the following three weeks. Moore reappeared at the top level in Round 7 where he showed some quick development over the next three games, playing predominantly as a small forward. He averaged 14 possessions, two tackles and three inside 50s during this time. With a taste of senior action, Moore will be hopeful there are more chances to come in 2019.
