In the days leading up to the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, we'll be counting down Hawthorn's top 10 draft classes from the last 30 years, with one class revealed each day...
Hawthorn’s selections at the 2008 National and Rookie Drafts saw them pick up four players who now combine to boast nine premiership medallions between them.
With their first selection of the 2008 Draft, the Hawks read out Ryan Schoenmakers’ name at Pick 16. The key-position South Australian has since played 112 games in the brown and gold and was a member of the 2015 premiership side.
With their next opportunity at Pick 34, the Hawks turned their attention to Liam Shiels who became the youngest player drafted that year. Now a vice-captain of the club, Shiels has played 163 games for the club, won three premierships and is one of the most respected players around the Ricoh Centre (evidenced by his 2017 'Best Clubman' award).
The Hawks then struck gold in that year’s Rookie Draft, taking Luke Breust with Pick 47 and Matt Suckling with Pick 81.
161 AFL games later, Breust has become one of the competition’s most dangerous small forwards. Only eight other Hawthorn players have broken the 300-goal threshold, as the three-time premiership forward did this year, putting him in some elite company.
Though Suckling's name has already been mentioned in the draft class of 2009 (following a rookie elevation), it was actually the previous year that the youngster first found his way to Hawthorn via the Rookie Draft. A two-time premiership player, Suckling was symbolic of the game-style that catapulted Hawthorn into the era that was 2013-2015. The highly-skilled left-footer played 102 games for the Hawks before moving to the Western Bulldogs at the end of the 2015 season.
The Hawks' remaining three National Draft picks in 2008 included Jordan Lisle (Pick 50), Luke Lowden (Pick 63) and Shane Savage (Pick 75).
Savage was the most successful of this trio, playing 56 games for Hawthorn before being traded to St Kilda where he has since played 67 games.
Lisle played five games in the brown and gold, before a three-year stint at the Brisbane Lions saw him add 18 more games to his tally. Now a premier forward in the VFL competition, Lisle has won two of the last three Frosty Miller Medals.
Lowden managed just the single game for the club, managing three goals on debut.
Catch up: Hawks' draft class countdown - No.7
2008 NATIONAL DRAFT
PICK 16: RYAN SCHOENMAKERS
PICK 34: LIAM SHIELS
PICK 50: JORDAN LISLE
PICK 63: LUKE LOWDEN
PICK 75: SHANE SAVAGE
2008 ROOKIE DRAFT
PICK 16: RILEY MILNE
PICK 32: HAYDN KIEL
PICK 47: LUKE BREUST
PICK 61: CARL PETERSON
PICK 73: GARRY MOSS
PICK 81: MATT SUCKLING
PICK 85: WILL SIERAKOWSKI
