In 2017, Hawthorn fans may not have had as much to celebrate as in previous years. But, regardless of the final ladder position, the boys came out week after week and gave their all, and there were several little (and big) wins along the way.
Here's our favourite moments of the 2017 season.
10. Rise of Burton
Having been left out of the Hawks’ season opener against Essendon, Ryan Burton, recalled for the Round 2 clash against Adelaide, was intent on making up for lost time. The 20-year old wasted little time in proving his wares, displaying composure and skill in just his fifth senior game. His 26-disposal performance earned him the round’s Rising Star nomination, an award he would later finish second in to Essendon’s Andrew McGrath.
9. O’Meara a happy Hawk
Jaeger O’Meara had multiple reasons to celebrate the final game of the season against the Western Bulldogs. Having been hampered by injury for the bulk of the year, the 23-year old returned for the final fortnight of the year and in time to play his 50th career game against the Dogs. The eventual victory also gave the former Sun the chance to sing his team’s song for the first time since Round 19, 2014. The Western Australian was only amongst his side’s best players, as he collected 25 disposals and a game-high 11 tackles, in an effort that later earned him a Brownlow vote.
8. Second success over Swans
After starting the season 0-6, the Swans had gone on to win nine of their next ten games, with a Round 10 loss to Hawthorn the only blip in an incredible run. They were indisputably the in-form team of the competition heading into the Round 19 clash against the Hawks at the MCG. The game followed a similar trail to the two sides’ encounter earlier in the year as Hawthorn held the lead for the majority of the night. But, on the back of four consecutive goals, the Swans claimed the lead midway through the final quarter. But a goals to leaders Liam Shiels and then skipper Jarryd Roughead saw the Hawks again edge their rivals in one of the classic games of the year.
7. Clarko breaks the record
In Round 18 against Fremantle, Alastair Clarkson notched up his 300th game as Hawthorn coach and, with it, broke John Kennedy Snr's record (299) for the most games coached in the brown and gold. It was a tough year for the four-time premiership coach after the Hawks opened their campaign 0-4, and adding only a handful of wins before the bye. But, 'Clarko' showed fans why he's considered the best in the business as he manoeuvred the magnets, recalled youngsters and inspired his players toward a second half resurgence.
6. Mitchell’s maiden All Australian
Tom Mitchell was rewarded for a dominant first season at Hawthorn when he was named the rover of this season’s All Australian team. The 37th Hawk to receive the honour, the 24-year old collected 787 disposals in 2017 to break the league record for most disposals in a single season. Averaging 35.8 touches per match, the former Swan also broke the record for most 30+ disposal games in a season, with 20 such matches throughout the year.
5. Hodge’s 300th
In Round 17, Luke Hodge became just the eighth player to play 300 games for Hawthorn. Facing his biggest arch-rival Geelong, the stage was set for a memorable match. The game delivered everything it was built up to, minus the Hawks coming away with the four points. Hodge, one of his side’s best on the day, kicked a goal with just 22 seconds remaining to give the Hawks a chance. But unfortunately, a rushed shot at goal from Isaac Smith in the dying seconds skewed right to miss out on a fairy tale finish for Hodge’s milestone match.
Read: Hodge in talks with Brisbane Lions
4. Round 14 win over Adelaide in Adelaide
In Round 14, Hawthorn were tasked with one of the toughest assignments in footy: to defeat Adelaide in Adelaide. To make matters all the more difficult, the Hawks had won just the single game over the past month while the Crows sat atop the league ladder. The game seemed to be going the way that almost every tipster would have predicted, with the Hawks three goals down at the main break. But a magnificent 8-3 second half in the brown and gold’s favour created one of the biggest upsets of the season, as the Hawks claimed victory by 14 points. To make the night even sweeter, former Crow Ricky Henderson was best on ground for the Hawks, in a performance that earned him three Brownlow votes.
3. Roughead’ clutch goal against the Swans
If beating Adelaide in Adelaide is a big ask, overcoming Sydney in Sydney couldn’t be far behind. The Hawks were coming off a dismal previous week, which saw them surrender a 43-point lead to Collingwood. The Hawks were brave all night, controlling the game for the entirety of the first three quarters. But back-to-back Isaac Heeney goals in the opening ten minutes of the final term suggested the hosts were poised to run over the top of the visitors. Enter two blokes called Shaun Burgoyne and Jarryd Roughead. A clutch set shot goal by Burgoyne in the 23rd minute of the fourth quarter, followed by a rushed behind a minute later, levelled the scores at 75-apiece, before Roughead nailed his opportunity from beyond 50 metres to secure a win that had appeared to have slipped from the Hawks’ grasp.
2. Mitchell’s half-ton
Tom Mitchell became just the seventh player in league history to collect at least 50 possessions in a game in Round 9 against Collingwood. The incredible tally also broke the club record for most disposals in a game. The 24-year old was outstanding on the night, gathering a season-high 22 contested possessions alongside his eight marks and eight tackles. The stellar performance earned the All Australian rover three Brownlow votes.
1. Roughy’s Return
The Hawks welcomed back Jarryd Roughead in an emotionally-charged season opener against Essendon. Returning from a one year absence after recovering from cancer treatment, the 30-year old was the subject of one of the feel-good stories of 2017. The newly-appointed captain kicked his first goal of the game early in the third term and was instantly swamped by teammates as the MCG crowd erupted in joy. Despite the Hawks falling to the Bombers on the night, Hawthorn fans couldn’t have been happier to see one of their favourite sons back out on the park.
