With the AFL Players’ Association 22under22 40-man squad being announced last week, many would have been surprised to find no brown and gold presence within the list.
Hawthorn has had nine sub-22-year olds pull on a jumper this season, all of whom have shown their wares on the big stage.
Among the nine, there are four who have received a Rising Star nomination over the past two years.
Here is a closer look at our array of young talent…
Ryan Burton
Age: 21 yrs, 7 mths
2018 games: 20
Season in a nutshell: Following an outstanding season in 2017, Burton has again cemented his spot in the Hawthorn backline, playing in 20 of the Hawks’ 21 games so far this year. His numbers have again been strong, averaging 16.8 disposals and 4.6 marks. The South Australian continues to be one of the Hawks’ most trusted ball-users in the back half.
The highlight: Burton’s best game of the season so far came in the Round 11 win over Port Adelaide. The defender helped the Hawks over the line by three points as he gathered 19 disposals, 11 marks and four inside 50s.
Blake Hardwick
Age: 21 yrs, 6 mths
2018 games: 21
Season in a nutshell: Hardwick is one of only six Hawks to have featured in every game so far this season. With 41 games now under his belt, Hardwick is looking increasingly comfortable with the pressure and pace of AFL football. This is illustrated by the 83.2% disposal efficiency that he has operated at this season, whilst averaging 17 disposals per game.
The highlight: Despite playing in the losing side, Hardwick’s performance in Round 15 against the Giants has been the highlight of his year to date. He had 20 disposals, six tackle and a team-high 10 one-percenters in a hard-fought display.
Harry Morrison
Age: 19 yrs, 9 mths
2018 games: 18
Season in a nutshell: Prior to the season, coach Alastair Clarkson indicated that he believed Morrison could become an A-grader of the competition. Fast-forward through the home and away season and Morrison has done little to let down the projection of his coach. Across 18 games this season, the 19-year old has shown a hard work ethic and ability to win the ball.
The highlight: Morrison was one of the Hawks’ best in his side’s 35-point win over St Kilda in Round 6 earlier this year. He gathered a career-high 25 disposals to go along with his eight marks, five inside 50s and a goal.
James Worpel
Age: 19 yrs, 7 mths
2018 games: 8
Season in a nutshell: Worpel has quickly emerged as a fan favourite this season. Worpel was forced to earn his place in the side this year but, over the past five weeks, has shown he feels comfortable mixing it with some of the competition’s best midfielders. Worpel has averaged 22.8 disposals and 4.6 tackles over this impressive run of form.
The highlight: The midfielder seems to have had a big moment each week for the last month. But probably his best of the bunch was his match-clinching goal against Essendon. The first-year player outsmarted All Australian Bomber Michael Hurley on his way to booting the most important goal of his young career.
Mitch Lewis
Age: 19 yrs, 10 mths
2018 games: 2
Season in a nutshell: Lewis got his senior opportunity in Round 9 this year when he debuted against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. He also played the following week against West Coast before returning to VFL level. Lewis is currently sitting equal third on the league’s goal kicking tally, with 31 goals from his 14 VFL games.
The highlight: Mitchell earned his debut on the back of some outstanding state-league form. He did not shy away from the contest, with seven of his 10 possessions being contested.
Teia Miles
Age: 21 yrs, 9 mths
2018 games: 7
Season in a nutshell: Having not had much of a look-in throughout the first half of the season, Miles was finally given a chance when he was selected for his first game of the year against the Bulldogs in Round 16. Averaging 18.1 disposals, Miles has played every game since and has shown a consistent ability to find the ball and dispose of it well. In fact, his 85% disposal efficiency is the best of any Hawk in 2018.
The highlight: Miles contributed strongly to the Hawks Round 19 win over Fremantle, gathering 23 touches, four tackles, four rebound 50s and a goal.
Conor Glass
Age: 20 yrs, 11 mths
2018 games: 4
Season in a nutshell: Glass’ four senior appearances have come intermittently across this year. The Irishman played in Rounds 4, 5, 15 before receiving a call-up again ahead of last week’s game against St Kilda. He has averaged 12 disposals and 3.3 tackles across his four outings.
The highlight: The best game of the 20-year old’s season to date was in the Round 15 loss to the Giants. He had 11 disposals and four marks while also showing a willingness for the contest with six tackles.
Conor Nash
Age: 20 yrs, 1 mth
2018 games: 2
Season in a nutshell: After being deployed at either end of the ground and even on a wing at stages for Box Hill this year, Conor Nash was finally rewarded with his AFL debut in Round 21 against Geelong. The 197cm utility has an impressive endurance base for a man of his size, enabling him to play in virtually any position on the ground.
The highlight: In just his second game at the elite level, Nash appeared completely comfortable against St Kilda last weekend. He had 16 disposals, six marks, seven tackles and three inside 50s to go along with his first goal at the level.
James Cousins
Age: 20 yrs, 5 mths
2018 games: 4
Season in a nutshell: A regular contributor for the Box Hill Hawks, Cousins has played four games at senior level in 2018. The hard-nosed midfielder last appeared in the Round 9 loss to Brisbane and has since been toiling away at VFL level.
The highlight: Cousins brought up a new career-high when he collected 17 touches against North Melbourne in Round 5. His strong ability to get from contest to contest was illustrated in 13 of these possessions being uncontested.
