There was a lot to feel good about as a Hawthorn supporter in 2018.
After missing finals for the first time in eight years in 2017, the Hawks rebounded strongly with a top four berth just 12 months later.
As well as the team’s improved performance, there were multiple feel good stories around certain players this year.
We want to know what was your number one feel good story of 2018…
O’Meara’s return
Coming to Hawthorn at the start of 2017 having played zero games in the previous two seasons, Jaeger O’Meara was out to prove the doubters wrong in his first year at the Hawks. But as his knee continued to prove troublesome, O’Meara was limited to just six games in 2017. The scrutiny intensified heading into this year, but the 24-year-old responded in the best possible way, playing 21 games and enjoying a career-best season. He has left Hawks fans licking their lips for more in 2019.
Mirra realises his dream
Having toiled away in the VFL for seven seasons, David Mirra’s dream of one day becoming an AFL footballer seemed almost done and dusted. But with the 23rd pick in last year’s rookie draft, the 27-year-old’s aspiration finally came to fruition. Ever-determined and hard-working, Mirra did not stop there and enjoyed a wonderful season in which he played seven senior games, won his second VFL premiership with Box Hill and also took home the Norm Goss Medal for best afield in the grand final.
Read: What's in a jumper number?
Double the Irish luck
In Round 18 2017, Conor Glass was named in the Hawks side to take on Fremantle, becoming the first Irishman to pull on a brown and gold jumper. Just over 12 months later, another Irish Conor got his chance, when Conor Nash was rewarded with his AFL debut in Round 21 against Geelong. The following week, Glass was injected back into the senior side, meaning that the Hawks had two Irishmen in the team for the first time in their history. For what it’s worth, the single game that the pair played together was a win for the Hawks.
Hardwick’s rise
Having played 20 AFL games before the start of the 2018 season, Blake Hardwick looked to have a challenge on his hands to keep his place in the senior side. The likes of James Frawley and Ben Stratton were returning from injury-ravaged 2017 campaigns and there was a clear squeeze for spots at the defensive end. But fast forward six months and Hardwick has made it clear that the Hawthorn backline will be his place of residence for a very long time. One of only five players to play all 24 games for the Hawks this year, Hardwick finished second in the Peter Crimmins Medal count and was also named the club’s most promising player. The hard-nosed defender is a young star on the rise.
