It has been the dream season for the Hawthorn VFLW side.
Following a 2017 season in which they managed just three wins to finish third-last, the Hawks have enjoyed an incredible revival this year.
The Hawks have lost just two games this year: a seven-point loss to Collingwood in Round 5, and a four-point loss to Darebin in Round 13.
Led by coach Paddy Hill, the side has built a reputation as the staunchest defensive unit throughout the league, conceding the least points on average of any team at 23.5 points per game.
While AFLW premiership player Sarah Perkins has proven the Hawks’ primary scoring source throughout the year, being one of just five players to have played at least 10 games and averaged more than a goal per outing.
As the team success has enjoyed an uptick in 2018, so too have the individual accolades with three Hawks being named in this year’s VFLW Team of the Year, compared to just one last year.
Jayde Van Dyk was named in the side’s back pocket, Rebecca Beeson on the wing and club captain and reigning best and fairest winner Emma Mackie was awarded a spot on the interchange.
The Hawks also had two top ten finishes in the Lambert-Pearce Medal, the league best and fairest, with Mackie finishing fourth and Meg Hutchins tenth.
In their one meeting with Grand Final opponents Geelong this year, the Hawks were victorious by 16 points in their Round 16 clash at Box Hill City Oval.
A total of 41 players have pulled on a brown and gold jumper for the Hawthorn VFL side this year.
When the side runs out on Sunday to do battle with the Cats, they will be just 22-strong.
But they know they will be representing a club that is looking to complete one almighty turnaround from cellar dwellers in 2017 to the premiership side of 2018.
Purchase tickets to Sunday's grand final double header here.
