The Rookie Draft has netted AFL clubs some of the stars of the competition, with the likes of Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis, six-time All-Australian Dean Cox and even triple-premiership Hawk Josh Gibson entering the AFL via the Rookie Draft.
While some of the Hawks’ most promising young guns, such as James Cousins, Conor Glass and Conor Nash have been brought through the door via rookie selections in recent seasons, hawthornfc.com.au takes a look below at the club’s five best-ever selections since the first pool of rookies were taken ahead of the 1997 season.
5 - Will Langford Pick 85 2011 Rookie Draft
Taken as a NSW Scholarship selection, the son of legendary Hawk Chris made his debut in Round 17 2013 before being promoted to the senior list ahead of the 2014 season. Langford endured a steep rise, playing 19 games for the season in the Hawks’ midfield before playing a key role in the winning grand final side with three goals. The 25-year-old added 20 games in season 2017 to bring his career tally to 66.
4 - Matt Suckling Pick 22 2007 Rookie Draft
Selected in the 2007 Rookie Draft before being redrafted with the 81st pick in the 2009 intake, Suckling made his debut in Round 1 2009, with his lethal kicking out of defence cementing him in the side during 2011. After rupturing his ACL in the 2013 preseason, Suckling missed the Hawks’ premiership that year before returning to be a part of the 2014 and ’15 triumphs.
3 - Michael Osbourne Pick 11 2001 Rookie Draft
Hailing from Gold Coast suburb, Labrador, Osbourne was also redrafted with Pick 23 in the 2003 Rookie Draft after making his debut in 2001. The 178cm midfielder/forward was one of the Hawks’ best in their 2008 Premiership win with a 26-possession performance. The Queenslander suffered an ACL injury in 2012 and before retiring at the end of 2013 after a career that spanned 168 games and 110 goals.
2 - Brad Sewell Pick 7 2003 Rookie Draft
A 200-game veteran for the Hawks, Brad Sewell was one of the club’s all-time great rookie selections. Making his debut in 2004 with six games, Sewell soon became a vital cog in the Hawthorn engine room, claiming the 2007 Peter Crimmins Medal, before being named one of the team’s best in their 2008 Premiership win. Sewell was voted runner-up in the Norm Smith medal in the Hawks’ losing 2012 grand final, before claiming vindication with the 2013 Premiership. Sewell called time on his career at the end of 2014 after missing out on the Hawks’ back-to-back flag.
1 - Luke Breust Pick 47 2009 Rookie Draft
A triple-premiership player and All-Australian, Breust takes out the title of Hawthorn’s greatest-ever rookie. Debuting in 2011, Breust fast became one of the competition’s most dangerous small forwards, playing a key role in the club’s premiership three-peat. The New South Wales product kicked three goals in the 2014 decider – the same year he was named on the half-forward flank in the All-Australian team – and currently has 304 career goals to his name from 161 games, placing him just outside the club’s top ten all-time goalkickers.
