Since the AFL first introduced the Rising Star award in 1993, some of those recognised have gone on to become greats of the game.

Names such as Buckley, Goodes, Riewoldt and Mitchell are some to have forged decorated careers after receiving the prestigious Rising Star award, but several more have done so after being handed a round-by-round nomination.

Of all the clubs Hawthorn sits equal fourth with a total of 36 players to have been nominated for the award, while two of those – Sam Mitchell and Nick Holland - have been handed the award itself. The Hawks also added a third at the end of 2016, when 2013 winner Jaeger O'Meara joined the boys at Waverley.

From all its nominees, hawthornfc.com.au has selected the best team of 22 to take the field below.

Read: Which Hawks have been suspended the most? 

Backline 

Campbell Brown: Selected for 12 games in his first year, Brown was nominated for the award after three goals and 20 disposals against Geelong in Round 22, 2002. During his 159 games for the Hawks, the hard-nosed defender was selected on the halfback flank in the 2007 All-Australian side and was named amongst the Hawks’ best in their 2008 premiership win over the Cats. After nine seasons with the Hawks Brown departed the club for the Gold Coast Suns.

Jonathan Hay: The key-defender made his debut for the Hawks in 1997 and received a Rising Star nomination the following year after the club’s Round 5 win over Brisbane. Hay hit his best form in 2001, manning the opposition’s most dangerous key forwards and was named at full back in that year’s All-Australian side. After 149 games in the brown and gold Hay was traded to North Melbourne ahead of the 2006 season.

Mark Graham: The Hawks’ second-ever Rising Star nominee, Graham played just the single game in 1993 before the following year saw him become a permanent fixture in the side for over a decade. Strong over-head, 190cm Graham was a courageous defender throughout 223 games for the Hawks in a career that included a runner-up finish in the 2001 Peter Crimmins Medal. Graham was traded to Richmond after the 2004 season before retiring a year later.

Halfback line

Ben Stratton: Taken by the Hawks as a mature-age recruit in the 2009 draft, Stratton slotted straight into the Hawks’ defence playing 21 games in his debut season, with his Round 14 performance against the Bulldogs earning him a Rising Star nomination. The West Australian was part of the Hawks’ grand final side in 2012 before helping the Hawks to three successive premierships between 2013 and 2015, while the 28-year-old appears set to reach his 150-game milestone in 2018.

Trent Croad: The New Zealand-born key position player was handed a rising star nomination in his first season after his efforts against Richmond in Round 18, 1998. Croad made an immediate impact playing between both ends of the ground, but was traded to Fremantle after four seasons in the brown and gold, before returning just two years later at the end of 2003. Settling in defence, Croad was named the All-Australian centre-half back in 2005, before playing what would be his 222^nd and last AFL game in the Hawks’ 2008 grand final win.

Grant Birchall: Taken with Pick 14 in the 2005 National Draft, Birchall made his debut straight away in ’06 before receiving his rising star nomination in Round 14. Averaging almost 20 disposals in his inaugural season, the rebounding defender also took out the Hawks’ Best First Year Player Award before just two years later helping the Hawks to the ’08 premiership. Birchall was named All-Australian in 2012 and he went on to play a key role in the Hawk’s premiership threepeat.

Centre

Bradley Hill: Drafted with Pick 33 in 2011, Hill played five games in his debut year before consolidating a position in the side during 2013 which included a Rising Star nomination after a 19-disposal two-goal outing against Adelaide. The West Australian speedster continued on to play a vital role on the wing in the Hawks’ premiership side that year, as well as in the following ‘14 and ’15 premierships. After 95 games and 58 goals for the Hawks, Hill requested a trade back to his home state.  

Luke Hodge: The first pick in the 2001 draft, Hodge broke through for 15 games in his first season, including a 20-disposal effort against the Western Bulldogs that saw him handed the Round 15 Rising Star nomination. One of the most decorated Hawks, Hodge earnt the first of three All Australian selections in 2005, with his second coming in ’08 as he also claimed premiership and Norm Smith medals. Named captain after the 2010 season, Hodge led the Hawks to three successive premierships, with a second Norm Smith coming after the 2014 decider. In 2017 Hodge capped his time at the Hawks by reaching the 300-game milestone before heading to the Brisbane Lions.

Jordan Lewis: 23 disposals and ten marks against the Western Bulldogs saw Lewis handed the Round 11 Rising Star nomination before also taking out the Hawks’ Best First-Year Player award that year. The midfielder finished a four-time premiership player with the Hawks, with his best season coming in 2014 when he was selected in the All-Australian side for the first time as well as winning his first Peter Crimmins medal. At the end of 2016 Lewis departed Hawthorn after being traded to Melbourne.

Half forward line

Luke Breust: Coming to the club via the rookie draft at the end of 2008, Breust had to wait until 2011 to make his debut, with a two-goal, 16-disposal performance against Collingwood in Round 15 earning him a Rising Star nomination. Having cemented his position in the side as a small forward who could also play through the midfield, Breust became a triple-premiership player after the 2013-15 triumphs.  After a career-best 57 goals in 2014, Breust was rewarded with selection in the 2014 All-Australian side.

Lance Franklin: Pick 5 in the 2004 draft, Franklin played 20 of a possible 22 games in his first season, picking up the Round 4 Rising Star nomination after gathering 14 disposals, six marks and a goal against the Brisbane Lions. In 2008 Franklin enjoyed a stellar year as he claimed his first All-Australian selection as well as Peter Crimmins and Coleman medals as he helped the Hawks to that year’s premiership. The key forward was All-Australian a further three times in the brown and gold, before departing for the Sydney Swans after winning the 2013 premiership.

Angelo Lekkas: The Hawks’ first pick in the 1993 draft, Lekkas debuted in ’96 before 22 disposals against the Bulldogs in Round 22 the following year saw him receive a Rising Star nomination. Playing predominantly between half forward and half back, Lekkas kicked a career-high four goals on two occasions, along with multiple bags of three, for a total of 120 from 180 games. His career was interrupted when he suffered a minor stroke during the 2005 preseason before making a remarkable full-recovery and returning to the AFL later that year in what would be his last season.

Forward line

Cyril Rioli: Bursting onto the scene in his first year with the Hawks, Rioli received the Round 6 Rising Star nomination in 2008 after two goals and 19 disposals against Richmond. The small forward played every game in his first season, including a vital performance in the grand final, and finished the eventual runner-up in the Rising Star award to Fremantle’s Rhys Palmer. The 2012 season saw Rioli earn the first of three All-Australian selections, before helping the Hawks to each of the ’13, ’14 and ’15 premierships, the last of which saw Rioli awarded the Norm Smith medal. 

Jarryd Roughead: The Hawks’ third Rising Star nomination for the 2005 season, Roughead played sixteen games in his debut season, with 20 disposals and seven marks against the Brisbane Lions earning him the nod. The key forward kicked a career-high 75 goals in 2008 as he was crowned a premiership player for the first time, while 2013 saw him earn his first All-Australian selection and Coleman medal as he went on to play a critical part in the Hawks three successive flags. At the end of the 2016 season Roughead was named captain of the club after Luke Hodge stepped down from the role.  

Michael Osborne: Elevated from the rookie list, Osbourne debuted in 2001 but it wasn’t until Hawthorn faced Carlton in Round 6 2003 - his seventh game - that Osbourne was recognised with a Rising Star nomination. The Queenslander became a regular from then on in for the Hawks, spending his early career down back before playing mainly out of the forward half and through the midfield. Osbourne was named amongst the best in the Hawks’ 2008 premiership win before announcing his retirement at the end of 2013 after 168 games and 110 goals. 

Followers

Nathan Thompson: While best known as a key-forward, Thompson was often utilised to pinch-hit in the ruck throughout his 119 games with the Hawks. After making his debut in 1998, the Kyneton-product received the Round 14 Rising Star Nomination in 1999 before going on to leading the club’s goalkicking in both 2003 and ’04. After a career with the Hawks that netted 192 goals, Thompson saw out the remainder of his career at North Melbourne.

Shane Crawford: Debuting in 1993, Crawford was the first ever Hawk to be handed a Rising Star nomination after a five-goal, 23-disposal performance against Sydney in just his second game. The pacey midfielder went on to a decorated career with the Hawks, named captain between 1999 and 2003, while he was awarded the 1999 Brownlow Medal, along with four Peter Crimmins medals (1998, ’99, ’02 and ’03), and was also selected in the All-Australian side on four occasions. Crawford announced his retirement after the 2008 premiership finishing on 305 games.

Sam Mitchell: Pick 36 in the 2001 ‘super draft’, Mitchell soon made a name for himself as a clearance-winning midfielder with his second season culminating in the 2003 Rising Star Award. One of the all-time great Hawks, Mitchell claimed the first of five Peter Crimmins Medals in 2006 before captained the Hawks to the 2008 premiership and playing a critical role in the 2013-15 threepeat. After 307 games and three All-Australian guernseys Mitchell departed the Hawks for West Coast, and was soon after retrospectively handed the 2012 Brownlow medal alongside Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin. 

Interchange

Daniel Chick: Selected with the 25^th pick in the 1995 draft, Chick earnt a Rising Star nomination in Round 10 during his first year, before going on to play a total of 149 games for the Hawks. Starting out as a half-forward, before playing arguably his best football down back and through the middle of the ground, Chick took out the 2000 Peter Crimmins Medal and was also named the club’s player of the finals series that year. At the end of the 2002 season, Chick requested a trade to his home state of Western Australia, where his finished his career with the West Coast Eagles.

Nick Holland: After 15 games during 1995 in which he averaged more than eight marks and 17 disposals at centre-half forward, Holland was awarded the Rising Star award and finished runner-up in the Peter Crimmins medal. The South Australian led the Hawks’ goalkicking in 1997 and 2000 and was named the club’s vice-captain from 1999-2003. Holland retired after 179 games and 239 goals for Hawthorn, with the 2005 season his last. 

Rayden Tallis: Used through both the midfield and defence over his 163-game career, Tallis was the second Hawk to receive a Rising Star nomination in 1994, with 20 disposals and two goals against West Coast in Round 20 earning him the nod. It wasn’t until the 2000 season that Tallis found his best form, finally cementing himself in the team’s best 22, before finishing his career at the end of 2004.

Ryan Burton: The youngest and least-experienced member of this line-up, Burton had a stand-out season in 2017 - just his second year at the club.  Nominated for the Rising Star in Round 2, Burton finished runner-up in the award after averaging more than 21 disposals for the season off half-back. Taken at Pick 19 in the 2015 draft, Burton looks likely to further develop his game both through the midfield and in attack during the coming season.

Team line up

B: Campbell Brown, Jonathan Hay, Mark Graham

HB: Ben Stratton, Trent Croad, Grant Birchall

C: Bradley Hill, Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis

HF: Luke Breust, Lance Franklin, Angelo Lekkas

F: Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead, Michael Osborne

FOLL: Nathan Thompson, Shane Crawford, Sam Mitchell

INT: Daniel Chick, Nick Holland, Rayden Tallis, Ryan Burton