Imagining what a Hawthorn AFL Women’s team might look like if it were to be filled with father/daughter selections has got us thinking, how would the Hawks men’s side look if some of our current heroes’ sons followed in their fathers’ footsteps?

We thought we would fast-forward to the same year, 2034, and paint a picture of the potential Hawks outfit that could be running out around that time…

*Let’s hope the minimum game criteria can be waived in Lakey’s case, so his sons can nominate the club where their father played three seasons and won three premierships.

Defenders

Combined total AFL games played by fathers: 1,756*

Games: Hodge (296*), Lake 251, Burgoyne (331*)

Three fathers that played in a threepeat together help to fit out this impressive-looking backline of three pairs of brothers.

The six players that make up this potent backline  have a way to go to catch their dads, but winning the 2033 AFL premiership has given them all a start on matching their fathers’ trophy cabinet. 

Passing his dad’s 14 years in the league as he enters his 15^th season, Bailee Lake is the experienced head among this star-studded defence. He has lead a decorated career, which has included selection in the 2028 and 2029 All-Australian team. 

Cooper Hodge and Cohen Lake have not missed a beat since both were taken in the first round of the 2027 National Draft, both are set to reach their 150^th game milestone mid-season.

Both Burgoyne brothers are setting the competition alight - think Peter and Shaun circa ’07. A frightening thought for opposition sides is that, considering their father played beyond his 35^th birthday, rivals will likely be confronted by this dangerous duo for at least another seven years!

The youngster of the defensive group is Chase Hodge. At  just 21 years old, you would never guess his age when you see him on the field. Hodge had a stand out season last year that saw him silence some of the best forwards of the competition (including Brisbane’s Jack Brown, Essendon’s Jacob Lloyd and Geelong’s Myles Chapman). Any wonder where he got his talents from!

Midfielders

Combined total AFL games played by fathers: 1,753*

Games: Lewis (272*), Mitchell (317*), Hodge (296*), McEvoy (158*), Crawford (305)

A commentary description of Hawthorn clearing the ball out of the centre square in 2034 sounds remarkably similar to that of the vintage year of 2008.

“Lewis extracts the ball out of nowhere, shovels it to a waiting Mitchell, who feeds the hard-running Crawford, who Hodge puts a huge shepherd on for”.

Charlie and Benjamin Crawford seem to have been around forever. Both following in their dad’s footsteps, Benjamin has been Hawthorn captain for the past three seasons, while Charlie earnt his own Charlie in 2031 capping off a stellar season as league best and fairest. 

Smith Mitchell is the reigning Peter Crimmins Medallist, and an emerging superstar of the competition. Wearing the number five on his back, the Hawks faithful simply adore the 23-year old. 

Freddie Lewis and Leo Hodge are two exciting prospects emerging from the 2033 draft. Despite entering their first year in the AFL system, the coaching staff have had no issue plugging both on either wing immediately after witnessing their undeniable talent throughout the 2033 TAC Cup season. 

Finally, the Hawks’ third pick in the draft came in the form of 208cm, 98kg Angus McEvoy. McEvoy starred for Vic Country in the Under 18 national championships and the Hawks were delighted to get him on board in an historical three-man father/son draft taking, in a year that experts are likening to the Super Draft of ’01.

Read: What would our father/daughter team of 2034 look like?  

Forwards

Combined total AFL games played by fathers: 1,268*

Combined total AFL goals kicked by fathers: 1,045*

Games: Crawford (305), Holland (179), Williams (115), Whitecross (102*), Harford (162)

Goals: Crawford (224), Holland (239), Williams (247), Whitecross (42*), Harford (69)

The Crawford twins, Jack and Harry, who created history last year when they were the first set of twins to kick more than 50 goals in the same season, headline a forward line group full of run and energy.

Only Leo Holland would be considered a traditional key-forward, as he is surrounded by a dangerous mosquito fleet of young forwards.

Holland experienced his career-best game against Geelong in Round 6 last year, when he booted six goal against All-Australian backman Oliver Scarlett.

As well as averaging a goal a game throughout their career so far, Kobe Williams and Cody Whitecross are known for their defensive pressure, which frightens opposition defenders.

William Harford is the final piece in this potent puzzle. Harford will always be remembered for his starring role in the 2033 Grand Final, for which he won the Norm Smith Medal.