Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Josh Ward. Extends to 2029!

[MrPremiership]

We will go very well in 2026 if our other youngsters have the development year that Ward just had

 

[Harper_Hawk]

Polled a hand full brownlow votes...good on the lad!

 

[rei154]

I think Ward could go to another level next year with more inside mid minutes.
A lot of people expecting Frenchie to step up, but I think that that is enabled primarily through Ward getting his hands dirty again.

 

[To the Hawk]

Outside of a fit Day, the level he can get to in 2026 might have the biggest say on how far we go.

He took a good jump in 2025 and has proven to himself he belongs. What we need Mackenzie to do next year.

But he needs to go further in 2026. From 13th in our BF to a borderline top 50-60 player in the game.

He needs to take the pressure off Newcombe and Day and make sides put time into him as opposed to just worrying about locking Newcombe down.

Needs to get his clearance average from 3 closer to 6 next year. Replacing that of Worpel.

 

[Manila_Hawk]

He's definitely got the skills.... just needs to put some muscle on. (IMHO).

 

[stevehawkington]

He's definitely got the skills.... just needs to put some muscle on. (IMHO).

Year on year he's getting gains. Can't say the same for yourself.. Eating adobong baboy, Kare Kare, toncino etc.

Leave ward alone. I've said it here before he's gonna be top 5 mid in the comp soon.

 

[Slaatybaadfaast]

Ward is going to RIIPPPPPPP in 2026. He's returned to training fit as a mallee bull!

 

[earthworms]

Breakout season for Ward

 

[marklar]

Future captain? Number 5 jumper imminent?

Just remember I called it here first.

 

[Hawks_Footy]

Breakout season for Ward

Just needs to find abit of junkyard dog about the way he plays

 

[cryptor]

He’s a very similar type of player to Merrett so it would be quite poetic if he did have a breakout season to essentially fill that role.

We’ll still need a couple others to step up another level or two from 2025. I’m looking at Butler and Mackenzie.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

If he can raise his average disposal cont from 20 to 25 he will go to another level in 2026.

He certainly looks in ripping nick at the moment, definitely has the potential to go absolutely bunta next year.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Future captain? Number 5 jumper imminent?

Just remember I called it here first.

Yep I’ve been on this for a while. Definitely

 

[The Chad and I]

So many people doubted him in his second and third seasons, but he's done very well in his first four seasons overall IMO.

Always had it, just a question of development and opportunity.
Same with MacKenzie, assuming he hasn't hit his running capacity already.

 

[Sixpence]

Future captain? Number 5 jumper imminent?

Just remember I called it here first.

No, you didn't ...

Duke has quickly become my favourite player and I think will become our best player, but I can't picture him as Captain. Seems too laid back. I think Day and Ward are more likely.

 

[ReturningHawk]

Ward and Connor Macdonald both drafted with strong character/leadership potential, but I wouldn’t say either of them look close to taking over from Sicily. To me it’s a 2-horse race between Dylan Moore

13

Dylan Moore

Age

26

Ht

177cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.9

3star

K

5.1

2star

HB

6.7

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.9

4star

G

0.3

3star

No current season stats available

D

12.2

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

6.2

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.4

3star

and Will Day. Those guys both clearly want it. Mitch Lewis is the dark horse who could pinch it with a return to 2023 fitness and form. I’d put my money on Moore given the difference in durability.

Ward, Cmac, Ginni and Massimo seem like the following wave of young leaders.