With a number of new Hawks hoping to make their first appearances at AFL level in 2018, we thought we'd take a look back at the five best debuts by those in the brown and gold.
After considering the statistics of all 917 debutants, here are the five 'first games' that stood out the most.
Read: Five Hawks looking to step up in 2018
5. John Platten
Round 1, 1986
Joining the Hawks from the SANFL ahead of the ’86 season, Platten made his debut immediately, playing in Hawthorn’s first game for the year against Carlton on Easter Monday. The 23-year-old was outstanding in the side’s 36-point win gathering 24 disposals and kicking a goal, with the performance earning him two Brownlow votes.
4. Terry Ingersoll
Round 1, 1957
Making his debut at full-forward, Ingersoll began what was only a brief career with the Hawks in impressive fashion, bagging five goals in their clash again Carlton at Princes Park. Recruited from Sydney, Ingersoll led the Hawks to a six-goal win over the Blues, but would only play 16 more games over the next two seasons before returning to New South Wales.
3. Beau Muston
Round 9, 2009
After a series of serious knee injuries derailed his first few years at the Hawks, Muston was sure to have an impact when he finally got the chance to make his AFL debut. Up against Melbourne at the MCG the 22-year-old amassed the most disposals of any Hawk in their first game with 31. Muston also provided a highlight with goal from outside 50 near the boundary line as the Hawks got up by 22 points.
2. Stephen Lawrence
Round 5, 1988
Playing predominantly as a ruckman throughout his career, Lawrence made his debut at centre-half forward for the Hawks against North Melbourne. The 19-year-old kicked five goals – just the fourth-ever hawk to do so on debut – and gathered 24 disposals in one of the statistically best debuts by a Hawk on record, with Hawthorn finishing comfortable 77-point victors.
1. Dermott Brereton
Semi Final, 1982
Up against North Melbourne in a do-or-die semi-final, the Hawks called upon an 18-year-old wearing the number 47 to help them over the line – and that he did. Brereton was a commanding presence on the field as he made arguably the club’s most important debut, helping them progress to the next week’s preliminary final. The Frankston Rovers product led the side’ with 5 goals from 17 disposals as the Hawks got up by 52 points at the MCG.
