With 45 players on the Hawks’ list, some fan favourites or new draftees may go unseen for extended periods. We saw 18 faces in this month’s AFLX round robin, but, aside from the intraclub hit out, there are still 26 men we are yet to spot in 2018.

Veterans Grant Birchall, Cyril Rioli, James Frawley and Jonathon Ceglar have already been ruled out of this week’s JLT clash, but here are the 22 remaining players we could potentially get a glimpse of for the first time this year when we face the Bulldogs this weekend. Some you will know extremely well, some a little less. Here are the unseen Hawks of 2018.

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Jarryd Roughead

Position: Forward

Games: 253

Last led the Hawks in their Round 23 clash against the Western Bulldogs, with 5 goals from 19 disposals. The skipper was also named by Director of High Performance Andrew Russell as one of the standouts of the Hawks’ preseason despite suffering a minor setback with a knee injury in December.

Tom Mitchell
Position: Midfielder

Games: 87 

Also last appeared in the final game of 2017 against the Dogs, Mitchell finished his stellar year with 32 disposals for the match, before capping his first year in the brown and gold with All-Australian selection and the club’s Peter Crimmins Medal.

Jarman Impey

Position: Forward/Midfielder
Games:75

Yet to make his first appearance for the Hawks after crossing from Port Adelaide via a trade, Hawthorn fans will be eager to see Impey in action after an outstanding preseason, training across half forward and on the wing.

Ben McEvoy

Position: Ruck
Games: 168

Had 29 hitouts and gathered 17 disposals against the Bulldogs in Round 23, and will be hoping to back up what was his season at the Hawks with another impressive year.

Taylor Duryea

Position: Defender/Forward
Games:101

Part of the 22 to take on the Dogs in Round 23 last year, Duryea gathered 7 disposals and took six marks. Re-signed at the end of last year to remain a Hawk, and could be used at either end of the ground this season after showing his wares as a defensive forward during 2017. 

Shaun Burgoyne
Position: Utility
Games: 341

The last time Hawks fans caught a glimpse of ‘Silk’ it was his 21-disposal, one-goal performance against the Dogs to close out last year. Heading into his 17^th season, Burgoyne is set to bring up his 350^th game.

Jaeger O’Meara

Position: Midfielder
Games: 50

Despite only managing six games for 2017, O’Meara returned to play the final two rounds with his last performance producing 25 disposals and 11 tackles. Named one of the preseason standouts by Director of High Performance Andrew Russell, Hawks fans could be set for an exciting year from the number 10.

Brendan Whitecross

Position: Utility
Games: 105

Last played in the Round 20 loss to Richmond in which he gathered nine disposals and took four marks. Will hope to improve on his eight appearances last year but will face tough competition from the Hawks’ rising youngsters.

Jonathan O’Rourke

Position: Midfielder
Games: 18

Due largely to injury, O’Rourke hasn’t been spotted by Hawks fans since Round 18, 2016, against the Demons in which he gathered 14 disposals. Finished off 2017 strongly in the VFL and will hope to utilise that momentum going into this season.

Isaac Smith

Position: Midfielder
Games: 157

Three goals and 21 disposals against the Dogs was the last glimpse fans had of the Hawks vice-captain, who has again been a standout over the summer. Again took out the club’s time-trials and has overcome a minor ankle issue to be a standout over the summer.

Kieran Lovell

Position: Midfielder
Games: 2

Hasn’t played at AFL level since Round 7 of the 2016 season, when he had 18 disposals against Richmond, with shoulder injuries troubling him throughout 2017. Will be hoping to work his way into the side during the Hawks JLT series games before the season proper begins.

Ben Stratton                              

Position: Defender
Games: 146

Round 8 against the Lions last year was Stratton’s most recent appearance, with the defender only accumulating three disposals as a knee injury cut his day, and year, short.  Hailed for his efforts over the preseason, fans are likely to see Stratton back to his very best in the upcoming season.

Marc Pittonet

Position: Ruck
Games: 3

Last played in the Hawks’ Round 23 clash against Collingwood in 2016, gathering eight disposals and 15 hit-outs. Will be hoping to make the most of his opportunity when it comes as he enters into his fourth season.

Paul Puopolo

Position: Forward
Games: 148 

Kicked three goals from 19 disposals in the Hawks’ last game of 2017 against the Western Bulldogs and will be hoping for a full season after a groin injury restricted him to only fifteen games last year.

Will Langford

Position: Forward/Midfielder
Games: 66

Another to last feature against the Dogs, Langford had 15 disposals and five clearances in the Hawks’ final game of 2017. Playing more games last year than any other season, Langford will be looking to continue his good form heading into 2018. 

Kaiden Brand

Position: Defender
Games: 28 

With injuries to key defenders Josh Gibson and James Frawley in 2017, Brand took his opportunity, stepping up in his absence to play 17 senior games. Showing an ability to match it with some of the best key forwards of the competition, the 23-year old will be keen to consolidate on a promising season last year. 

Ricky Henderson

Position: Midfielder
Games: 108

Picked up as a delisted free agent by the Hawks at the end of 2016, Henderson repaid the faith shown by his new club as he played 18 games in 2017. The 29-year old averaged 21.6 disposals in his first year in the brown and gold, providing a versatile option with penetrating foot skills. Look for Henderson to emulate his strong debut season in 2018.

Kurt Heatherley

Position: Defender
Games: 5

Heatherley played four games last year to take his career tally to five senior outings. The Kiwi has built a reputation as a competitive defender who can also intercept opposition plays. Entering his fifth year in the AFL system, the 23-year old will be keen to take a step forward in the upcoming season.

Mitchell Lewis

Position: Forward
Games: 0

Lewis played 13 games for Box Hill in 2017, showing promise as a defender as well as in the forward line where he kicked 10 goals. The 198cm key position player underwent a shoulder reconstruction towards the end of last year but has regained full fitness in his pursuit of a senior debut in 2018.

Harrison Jones

Position: Midfielder
Games: 0 

Jones arrived at the club after being selected by the Hawks with pick seven in last year’s Rookie Draft. The 183cm on-baller will look to build some strong form for the Box Hill side as he navigates through his first year in the AFL system.

Changkouth Jiath

Position: Forward
Games: 0 

Picked up as part of the club’s Next Generation Academy, ‘CJ’ brings some exciting athleticism to the club in 2018. Jiath is quick as well as having an enormous endurance base and Hawks fans can expect him to provide some impressive highlight plays throughout the year.

Conor Glass

Position: Defender
Games: 6

Glass was another Hawks youngster who took his chance in 2017. Glass made his AFL debut in the Round 18 clash with Fremantle and didn’t look back as he played the final six games of the season. The Irishman will be keen to maintain the momentum which he finished last season with.