His career to this point:  

A third-round pick in the 2015 draft, Blake Hardwick was originally drafted as a small forward, having thrived around goals for the Eastern Ranges in his draft year. He spent the majority of his first season in the forward line, earning a debut in Round 19 against Carlton. That was his sole senior game in 2016, but the following year is when he became a consistent call-up in the AFL side, with his move to defence seeing him play 19 games. His rise continued the following year, when a stunning season earned him a runner-up placing in the Peter Crimmins Medal count. A top five finish in 2019 consolidated Hardwick’s place as one of the Hawks premier players as the club looks to its future. 

2020 form:  

Hardwick featured in all bar one game for the Hawks in 2020. He continued to prove to be one of the club’s most trusted ball-users out of the back half, operating at a highly impressive 84.1% disposal efficiency this year. The ever-reliable stopper with a characteristic hard edge to his game, Hardwick averaged 8.6 pressure acts through his 16 appearances this year. 

A look towards 2021: 

With the likes of Ben Stratton, James Frawley and Ricky Henderson departing the club over the off-season, Hardwick will be looking to step up into the leadership void that trio leaves in the Hawks back half. Hardwick should have the confidence to make that progression as one of the side’s most consistent performers over the last three years.