On Saturday night, Hawthorn Football Club will hold its 2016 best and fairest awards, the Peter Crimmins Medal.
hawthornfc.com.au takes a look at who might be in contention to win the Best First Year Player award.
Ryan Burton
After being selected with pick 19 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, it took some time for Burton to find his feet at Waverley after overcoming some lingering effects of a badly broken leg in 2014.
But there was plenty of excitement from Hawthorn fans when he was selected to make his debut, and the first-year Hawk didn’t disappoint.
After playing his first two AFL games as a forward, Burton was moved into defence and showed a genuine ability to play at both ends of the ground.
His 15 disposals and five marks in Round 23 against Collingwood was a highlight and earmarked Burton as a player to keep an eye on in coming seasons.
Kieran Lovell
Drafted with pick 22 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, Lovell made great strides in his development as a first-year player at Hawthorn in 2016.
After building strong form at Box Hill, Lovell made his debut against GWS in Round 6, and held his spot to play against Richmond the following week, when he collected 18 disposals.
Playing in the mould of a Sam Mitchell-type player who can find the ball on the inside, his form at Box Hill has drawn praise from the Hawthorn coaching staff.
The Hawks’ midfield is not an easy one to break into, but the 19-year-old looks as though he will become a regular AFL player down the track if his development can continue.
Kieran Lovell impressed during his first year at Hawthorn, playing two AFL games.
Kade Stewart
Taken with pick 36 in last year’s rookie draft, Stewart was promoted to Hawthorn’s senior lid mid-season and impressed immediately, making his debut in Round 11 against Melbourne.
The 19-year-old held his spot for a further two games, including a two-goal, 13-disposal effort against Essendon in Round 12.
Given his ability to kick goals and pressure the opposition, Stewart has become a player to watch heading into next season and beyond.
Kaiden Brand
Having missed last season with a shoulder reconstruction, Brand broke into the AFL side early in the 2016 season and played 11 games as he enjoyed an extended taste of senior football.
At 198cm, Brand is a promising key defender who showed he isn’t overawed by getting the ball in his hands under pressure or playing on some of the game’s premier key forwards.
His performance against Port Adelaide in Round 16 where he collected 18 disposals and ten marks was undoubtedly his best performance at AFL level to date.
Brand will be keen to gain more exposure in Hawthorn’s senior side heading into 2017, but could be a part of Hawthorn’s defence for many seasons to come.
After missing last year through injury, Brand got his opportunity at AFL level.
Marc Pittonet
After biding his time at Box Hill last season in his first year at Hawthorn, Pittonet broke through for his debut AFL appearance in Round 1 this season.
The 20-year-old has impressed with not only his ruckwork, but his physicality and aggression – as evidenced by the seven tackles he laid against Essendon in Round 12.
Pittonet finished with three AFL appearances for the year, but there is a real possibility that he could build on that in 2017 with fellow ruckman Jonathon Ceglar out for an extended period with injury.
