Here at Hawthorn, we understand that AFL is a team game. Each player, coach and official is but a cog in the wheel of a well-oiled machine, chugging towards success.

But over the next 11 days, we’re forgetting about the team achievements and throwing the spotlight on individuals. 

Here’s the question; which Hawk has the most impressive trophy case of all time? 

Each accolade has been given a weighting (see bottom of page), and the numbers have been crunched to see who comes out on top. 

Follow along each day on hawthornfc.com.au, as we slowly reveal Hawthorn’s Ultimate Trophy Cabinet.

Catch up: The Ultimate Trophy Cabinet - No.8

7th

A key driver in Hawthorn’s incredible recent success, Sam Mitchell unsurprisingly boasts an almighty trophy cabinet.

Taken by the Hawks in the 2001 ‘super draft’, Mitchell began his collection of silverware early in his career after he was awarded the 2003 Rising Star award, becoming and remaining just the second Hawk to earn eight points in this area.

Recording the second-highest amount of points for Hawthorn best and fairest awards in this competition, Mitchell claimed the first of five Peter Crimmins Medals in 2006, with the midfielder sitting second behind only Leigh Matthews for the number of Hawks’ best and fairest awards won.

Beginning his three-year captaincy in 2008, Mitchell went on to win four premierships, four Peter Crimmins Medals, a Brownlow Medal and three All Australian honours over the next nine seasons for a total of 101 points over the period.

After reaching the 300-game milestone in his final year with the Hawks, there was little that Mitchell hadn’t achieve in his time in the brown and gold.

Points:

307 games (10 points)
Rising Star (8 points)
5x Peter Crimmins Medals, 1x 2^nd, 3x 3^rd (55 points)
4x premierships (20 points)
Brownlow Medal (12 points)
3x All Australian honours (27 points)
3 years as captain (6 points)

Trophy Cabinet key:

*Only award points if player hasn’t received AFL HoF

^Only award points if player is in final 22  

** Despite being a team achievement, we felt it was important to still include premierships, but with considerable less weighting than other individual achievements.