The stats
AFL games: 11
Disposals per game: 12.9
Marks: 4.3
Kicks: 7.8
Tackles: 1.3
Goals: 0
Review
Having missed most of the 2015 season after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction, Brand was able to break his way into the AFL side and slotted in seamlessly.
Playing alongside the likes of James Frawley and Josh Gibson, Brand showed composure with ball in hand and also courage to enter a contest to help his team mates.
His 18-disposal, 10-mark game against Port Adelaide in Round 16 was a clear highlight for the defender.
With Ben Stratton missing games in the latter part of the season, Brand also showed his versatility, playing on a range of tall and small opponents at various times.
Having had a taste of AFL football in 2016, the challenge for the 198cm backman is to hold a place in the Hawthorn line up going forward – something he looks capable of doing if given a good run with injury.
A word from: Adem Yze
“Kaiden had a really strong patch of AFL games and finished with 11 games for the year.
“When he did play in the senior side he really helped our defence by giving James Frawley a hand on some of the big key forwards.
“As a young key defender he handled himself really well on some tough opponents and gained the trust of his team mates within our backline.
“Hopefully the 11 games he played this season drives him to have a strong pre-season and cement a spot in 2017.”
