The stats

AFL games: 21

Disposals per game: 12

Marks: 4.6

Kicks: 7

Tackles: 2.2

Goals: 0

Review

With the retirement of Brian Lake at the end of last season, Stratton’s role in defence became even more vital for the Hawks in 2016.

Consistently playing on a range of forwards both tall and small as well as showing great courage, the three-time premiership player finally began to receive plaudits from the wider football community.

His role on Western Bulldogs forward Jake Stringer in Round 3 was undoubtedly a highlight of Stratton’s season, keeping the Dogs livewire to just one mark and one goal as Hawthorn won a thrilling encounter by just three points.

It was clear just how valuable he is to Hawthorn when the 27-year-old injured his pectoral muscle against Melbourne in Round 20, with the Hawks forced to shuffle players around in their defensive half to cover his absence and not quite looking as settled as usual.

This season was the fourth time in five consecutive years that Stratton has played more than 20 games in a season, a terrific effort and a testament to his durability and consistency in a backline which had to be remodelled with the loss of Lake.

A word from: Adem Yze

“Ben played 21 games for the year but we really missed him when he injured his pectoral muscle against Melbourne.

“He’s a quiet achiever to the AFL public but within our walls he’s a really important and pivotal player for our backline.

“His leadership and communication out on the field is enormous and his courage and willingness to help his team mates is something that all of our players look up to.

“As I said he was unlucky to get injured and probably felt some of the effects of that injury when he came back, but before that he was in really good form.”