The stats
AFL games: 18
Disposals per game: 19.4
Marks: 3.7
Kicks: 11.1
Tackles: 2.2
Goals: 8
Review
After starting a lot of games as Hawthorn’s substitute last year, Hartung was able to display his ball-winning ability more often in 2016.
A career-high 32 disposals against the West Coast Eagles in Round 2 was a highlight as he provided plenty of run and carry up and down the ground.
Hartung also showed he can kick goals when given the opportunity, kicking two goals in a game on three occasions throughout the season.
His tackling also improved this season, laying 39 tackles in 18 games – up from 24 tackles in 20 games last year.
With Bradley Hill keen to move back to Perth to play with his brother, Hartung may lay claim to the vacant midfield position his fellow speedster would leave vacant in 2017, should a trade be orchestrated.
A word from: Damian Carroll
“Billy continued to develop as a footballer this year – he’s still only 21 years old so we see him as a player who’s got a lot of upside at our footy club.
“He had a season where he was able to play 18 games. Unfortunately, he was dropped on a couple of occasions, but each time he was dropped he came back and improve in the areas we needed him to work on, which was important.
“His output was a lot better – he was able to win 19 disposals per game, which was up on his previous season although he did play as the substitute a fair bit last year.
“What we’re looking for from Billy is to be able to run and break the lines and to keep working on his strength around the ball and in the contest, but we’d like to see him impact the scoreboard as a goal kicking midfielder in 2017.”