With just 50 sleeps to go until we kick off our 2018 campaign, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to bring you a few wishes that Hawthorn fans may be hoping come true in the season ahead.
50 of them, to be exact.
Some achievable, some a stretch, but all we’d be happy to see happen.
So, in no particular order…
1. Gold Coast redemption
Having not lost to the Suns once over their first six seasons in the competition, we fell to them twice in 2017. We’re going to have to wait ‘til Round 14 to redeem ourselves, but let’s hope it’s a resounding redemption.
2. Smooth sailing for Roughy
A 52-goal season would see the skipper enter the club’s top five all-time goalkickers. On his way in, he would pass a familiar face, with Buddy Franklin currently sitting fifth.
Read: Roughead heads a five-man leadership group for 2018
3. VFLW get the W
As excitement continues to build for the Hawthorn VFLW side, we’re starting to dream about what could be if the girls were able to hold a premiership cup aloft…
4. Dat mullet
In exciting news, Ben Stratton is back to full fitness. In more exciting news, he is currently rocking a mullet that we really wish lasts the entirety of 2018.
5. Salute to ‘The General’
We’ll always love Hodgey, but come Round 9, he’s as much of an enemy as the next guy. Here’s hoping for a fierce contest against the Lions, and a familiar song playing after the final siren.
6. Clean sweep against ‘The General’
We’ll get two looks at Luke Hodge in his new colours this year – a second win in Round 17 will give the Hawks an oh-so-sweet clean sweep against their former skip.
7. Silence the small-minded critics
Dylan Moore has dealt with countless detractors all his life who doubt his 176cm and 66kg frame could hold up in AFL football. But the running machine has had a great start in his first pre-season and we’d love to see him get a senior debut to truly quieten those doubters.
8. Mitch making mincemeat of the Pies
Over his last four meetings against Collingwood, Tom Mitchell has averaged 39 possessions and accrued an incredible 11 Brownlow votes. Oh, and would you look at that! See you in Round 1, Maggies!
9. Make our mark
Did you know that a Hawthorn player has not won Mark of the Year since Peter Knights took out the award in 1977? Which, by the way, was one of the three times he claimed the title, a league record. This 30-year drought needs to end. We’re looking at you guys, Cyril, Poppy, (McEvoy?).
Picture: Paul Puopolo is known for his high flying grabs
10. Goal setting
While we’re at it, may as well wish for the Goal of the Year as well! We’ve had a bit more luck in this event with Cyril (2009) and Buddy (2010 and 2013) recent winners, but still – another wouldn’t be unwelcome.
11. The 300 Club
Speaking of goals, Cyril Rioli (273 goals) and Jack Gunston (270) are also within range of joining some elite company. Only 11 Hawks have kicked 300 or more goals for the club, most recently Luke Breust in 2017. Here’s hoping a couple more join the party this year.
12. Burgoyne’s burgeoning games tally
In Round 9, Shaun Burgoyne is set to become just the 15th player in the game’s history to play 350 games. But we’ve had a look further and, if he can play 23 games this year, he will enter the top ten for all-time games played.
13. Mr Fix it, Mr Consistent, Mr Consecutive
On top of his growing games tally, Silk hasn’t missed a game since Round 15 2012. He sits fourth among current players in terms of consecutive games (105), but we’d all love to see the 35-year-old defy the odds and outlast his peers.
14. Membership mantle
In 2016, the Hawks took top spot for most club memberships from the enduring grasp of Collingwood. But last year, the Pies scraped past us and pipped us by a meagre 216 members. We’d like to be number one again, thanks.
15. Jaeger boom!
In the last fortnight of the 2017 season, we got a taste of how good Jaeger O’Meara could be in the brown and gold. Please sir, can we have some more?
16. The Mitchell 100
With Tom Mitchell’s sister, Chelsea, the newest recruit to Hawthorn’s VFLW side, we think 100 possessions between the two ball-magnet siblings on any given weekend would be lovely (…no pressure!).
Read: Another Mitchell joins the Hawks
17. Turn back the Tassie triumph
From 2013 to 2016 the Hawks held a perfect record in Launceston, with their four games per season all wins. Last year’s quartet of games returned two wins, a draw and a loss. We would love to return to that unbeatable Tasmanian dominance.
18. The name's O'Brien. Tim O'Brien.
With the current talk in Hollywood over who will be the next James Bond, we just have one request – not our T.O. Aside from the fact that we’re looking forward to him slotting many more goals while playing in Hawthorn’s forward line, his effort in a Bond pose on Hawks photo day confirmed that the only place O’Brien should be taking shots is on the field. We were certainly… “shaken, not stirred”.
19. Wardrobe Watch
More brown and gold jackets, more often. We’re talking to you, President!
20. AFLX-Factor
With the launch of the AFLX initiative now only a fortnight away, we see no reason why winning our pool (up against some of our oldest rivals in the Bombers, the Blues and the Dees) wouldn’t be a fantastic way to kick off 2018.
21. String together some consistency
Jonathan O’Rourke has been haunted by repeated hamstring injuries for the majority of his time at the Ricoh Centre. A clean bill of health would be a wonderful sight for the former number two draft pick.
22. Mirra-cle
He was the biggest story in this year’s Rookie Draft, and we’re confident all AFL fans will be hoping for a David Mirra debut in 2018. Happy tears will be shed for the 26-year-old.
23. Time Worp
We see no reason why big-bodied draftee James Worpel can’t hit the ground running with an AFL debut against the Pies in Round 1.
Read: Get to know James Worpel
24. Moore reasons to celebrate
And why stop there? We’d like to see all our young draftees receive their senior call up in 2018. Moore, Ross, Jiath and Jones all bring their own unique attributes to the list.
Picture: Hawthorn's 2017 draftees receive their new jumper numbers
25. Magic at UTAS Stadium
Indigenous Round is always a special time of the year. Made even more special when Hawthorn legends Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli come out to play. Here’s hoping for a big game from the boys against Port Adelaide in Round 11, helped along by new teammate Jarman Impey as he faces his former side for the first time.
26. All abuzz with excitement
Let’s hope we hear more throughout the year from Next Generation Academy prospect Irving Mosquito. Why? Because, along with having one of the coolest names ever, he has an infectious smile and is an exciting talent.
27. Coach of the Year for Clarko
Because after 13 seasons and four premierships, Clarko’s coaching award is well past it’s due by date.
28. Jarman like Jarman
The last time a Jarman had a debut season with the Hawks, Darren averaged 18 disposals, kicked 41 goals and became a premiership player. Sounds like a good example to follow, Mr Impey.
29. I see red, I see red, I see red.
A forward line with Jarryd Roughead, Tim O’Brien and James Sicily firing. We certainly wouldn’t mind it.
30. Luck of the Irish
After watching Conor Glass across the final six rounds of 2017, Hawks fans will be hoping for more of our favourite Irish redhead in 2018.
Picture: Conor Glass celebrates his first win in Round 18
31. Conor squared
And while we’re at it, chuck in Irishman #2 Conor Nash for a bit of added blessing.
32. Tackling new heights
He holds Hawthorn’s record for the most tackles in a match with 17, but how high can Liam Shiels go? 20? 25? 100? The limit does not exist.
33. Quieten the Cats
Our four-game losing streak to Geelong is by far our worst record of recent form against any team. In fact, the Suns are the only other club to hold a multiple-game ascendancy over us. We can put an end to the Cats’ purring as soon as Round 2.
34. A Stewie Dew return?
While a win against our modern day rivals on Easter Monday would be incredible, a win against them in 2008 anniversary clash in Round 21 will be even more special. Maybe we’ll give Gold Coast Coach Stewie Dew a call to see if he’s free for five minutes in the third.
35. You’re a senior, Harry
After a ripper debut in Round 23, all Hawks fans will be eager to see Harry Morrison hold his spot and lay the foundations for a long and strong career in the brown and gold.
36. Beyond the BB Cup
While we’re all hoping for a solid win against the Swans in Round 8, more importantly, we hope this event will extend beyond the MCG and encourage meaningful conversations throughout Australia about positive mental health.
Picture: Hawks and Swans send positive message after the 2017 beyondblue Cup
37. Wash away the Blues
Before 2017, it had been 12 years since the Blues had got the better of us. Now, it’s been just five months. Time to extend.
38. Catapault back into September
2017 handed a quiet September to all Hawks fans. Frankly, we didn’t like sitting out of finals, and we don’t plan on doing it again.
39. A Next Generation prodigy
Changkuoth Jiath is the first Hawk to rise through the ranks of Hawthorn’s Next Generation Academy, and find himself on the club’s playing list. Hawthorn fans would love to see him do well and, despite currently sitting on the Hawks’ Rookie List, a 2018 debut is certainly not off the cards.
40. Who’s Gunner Win, again?
We know Hawks’ fans are eager to see more of everyone’s favourite game show host, Jack Gunston in 2018, with his tongue twisters and mind bogglers that left our Hawks’ stumped. While we can’t promise a 2018 return, we can promise that HawksTV have a bunch of candid and hilarious segments lined up. Stay tuned.
41. Jack, Jack, Jacky
It’s only been six months, but we’re already missing Jack Fitzpatrick’s presence around Waverley. We don’t need to ‘wish’ any longer – the man will be returning to hawthornfc.com.au for a weekly segment in 2018 – keep an eye out for his absurd and side-splitting ramblings in 'Fitzy’s Focus’.
42. That’s the way it’s gonna be, little darling
After years of belting out Daryl Braithwaite’s classic toooon ‘Horses’ after big wins, the song was nowhere to be heard in 2017 (well, not in Hawthorn’s changerooms anyway). We’d love to hear it makes its return in 2018, and Round 1 at the ‘G against the Pies is the perfect place to start.
43. Can't stop, won't stop
We saw a couple of cheeky grins and fist pumps from James Sicily last year (remember that finger twirl after the 80m barrel in Round 23? Divine), and we want more. More goal celebrations, more often. Okay, boys?
44. Redemption for Burto
Despite being red hot favourite to take out the Rising Star award in 2017, our man Burto was overlooked. The only way to make up for such a catastrophe? Get this man a Brownlow, premiership and Norm Smith medal in 2018.
45. A Jungle Giant
Instead of gearing up for the 2018 AFL competition, Gibbo is currently fighting it out in a competition of his own. In the South African Jungle. We can’t wait to see him tackle more backwards bungee jumps and choke down more tomatoes. And we’re sure all Hawks’ fans are wishing for their former no.6 to come home with a win. #CelebJosh.
46. Issie there yet?
A recent AFL.com.au article ranked our Issie as the third best distance runner in the league, but to us, he’s the king. Is there another notch he can take it up to? Probably not. But if there is, we’d pay huge money to see it.
47. No (k)need for Cegs to worry
It’s been nearly 18 months since our 204cm ruckman was out on the park. Here’s hoping for an injury-free, successful season for the big man.
48. Off-field stability
There has been lots of off-field change at the Hawthorn Football Club over the past 18 months, but finally, it all seems to be chugging along nicely. Let’s hope the off-field stability can lead to more on-field success.
49. Our 14th cup
Because really, what are we all here for?
50. An AFLW licence
Save the two most important wishes for last. We’re ready to make our brown and gold mark on the AFL Women’s competition, and we’re ready to do it now.
