On Saturday night, Hawthorn Football Club will hold its 2013 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, which was won by Jack Gunston in 2012.
Jed Anderson
Fans were immediately excited by the youngster from the Northern Territory whose pace, elite skills and aggression saw him debut in Round 1. He played the opening three matches of the season, with his best coming in the Round 3 win over the Pies where he earned himself a Rising Star nomination. A hamstring injury halted his impressive early season form, but he returned in Round 22 with an impressive performance against the Kangaroos which earned him a spot in Round 23 and the first final. He missed out on selection in the prelim and was in the frame for the Grand Final.
Taylor Duryea
Duryea waited a long time for his opportunity at senior level but it finally arrived in Round 3. His courage and lethal foot skills were on show from his first game and his composure at the elite level saw him make the transition from VFL to AFL easily. He played 18 matches in his debut AFL season and averaged 13.5 disposals. He showed he has a strong body capable of holding up at the top level and is able to win key one-on-one battles.
Sam Grimley
Like Duryea, Grimley finally earned a senior debut in 2013 after three seasons on the list. An athletic ruckman capable of playing forward, Grimley kicked a goal with his first kick in the AFL and impressed with his mobility inside the forward arc. He played three matches this season and put in a string of impressive performances at VFL level, enough to suggest he might be a player for the future.