Opinion Which Hawthorn players are set for a breakout season in 2022?

[toomanysquibs]

like Dustin Fletcher, except wayyy better. In my next big call……

If this winds up being true, then he'll be a generational talent. Not many guys would spend their weekends lining up on Plugger, Dunstall and Ablett, then waltz into high school on Monday morning!

But I don't disagree. He has athleticism and confidence to burn along with blueprint level physical attributes for this new era of footy.

Was billed as a Rance level defender. Man o man, he could be a lot better than that if he fills out given his kicking and footy nous. Rance took years to develop one, and never really had the other.

 

[Hawker55]

I do worry that Day and DGB seem injury prone. Early days and developing bodies and all that, but still lets hope they get a big preseason in and can get some consistent appearances in.

 

[BIGHAWK23]

I do worry that Day and DGB seem injury prone. Early days and developing bodies and all that, but still lets hope they get a big preseason in and can get some consistent appearances in.

I dont know if DGB is injury prone, he had a knee injury from a contest and a concussion

 

[Brant]

I dont know if DGB is injury prone, he had a knee injury from a contest and a concussion

And Day had an ankle injured by a tackle, which flared back up after another incident.

Wouldn't worry that he's prone to injury just yet.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Jai?

 

[xmarksthespot]

Jai?

That's my pick with the benefit of an AFL pre-season.

More hope than anything given his place in the midfield queue (admittedly I have no idea what the coaches actually place him - just looking from the outside in), but I'd love to see Finn get some midfield minutes to solidify his place. I see a lot of parallels to Nash and being played in a position that's not quite natural to his game (although I do understand the logic in developing him in other areas).

On Pixel 6 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[burger09]

Jai, Ward, McDonald and Reeves would be very good start to a midfield overhaul.

Throw in Nash, Butler, Long and I'm getting carried away.

 

[rei154]

Jai and Nash are my tips for breakout (assuming that means they have already had some time in the system).
Would love for Finn to come on, too, but I don't know how much time he'll get in the seniors.

 

[Opens positions]

Most impactful draftee: Looking like a sure Round 1 starter following his performance against Richmond in the AAMI Community Series match, Josh Ward showed class through Hawthorn's midfield. Using the ball effectively and leading Hawthorn for contested possessions, expect Ward to play a prominent part in Hawthorn's midfield this year.

Breakout contender: Earning a late season taste for midfield play in 2021 at AFL level, Conor Nash

11

Conor Nash

Age

25

Ht

198cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.7

2star

K

3.9

2star

HB

4.8

3star

M

2.0

2star

T

3.1

5star

CL

0.3

2star

No current season stats available

D

8.4

3star

K

4.2

2star

HB

4.2

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

4.0

5star

CL

0.2

2star

impressed with his pressure, tackling and ball winning. Nash was one of the Hawks more competitive midfielders in Hawthorn's match which didn't feature either Tom Mitchell or Jaeger O'Meara

2

Jaeger O'meara

Age

30

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.9

5star

K

12.4

5star

HB

10.6

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

5.5

5star

CL

4.8

5star

D

20.9

5star

K

13.0

5star

HB

7.9

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.0

5star

D

19.4

5star

K

11.4

4star

HB

8.0

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

4.6

5star

, and will be looking to establish himself as a part of Hawthorn's best 22.

Rebound season: Missing the 2021 season with a torn ACL, James Sicily

6

James Sicily

Age

29

Ht

188cm

Wt

90kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

12.7

5star

HB

5.7

4star

M

6.3

5star

T

1.5

3star

MG

365.0

5star

D

19.4

4star

K

14.3

5star

HB

5.1

3star

M

5.9

5star

T

1.0

2star

MG

437.4

5star

D

10.0

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

173.8

3star

was as effective as he was before injury. Sicily took kickouts, hit meaningful targets, took intercept marks and won one-on-one contests during pre-season.

 

[chopflop]

A Brockman breakout just to stick it to bigfooty! Followed by a 3yr deal.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Newcombe. I just made the call on the podcast I'm a part of, so it's out there now. And definitely happening.

 

[Dewnior]

I'm sticking with Mighty Mouse. I really hope he gets a crack at it early this season and not due to injuries.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Hawthorn’s midfield this year will be like our future submarine fleet - nuclear powered. Newcombe is going to become a star this season.

 

[Flukey!]

I was hoping for Jeka but he is unlikely to get a run anytime soon.

 

[Howe Amazing]

Apart from players mentioned think Max Lynch will be the one

 

[daniel23]

Apart from players mentioned think Max Lynch will be the one

Was just about to mention him, coming into his prime as a young ruck.

 

[triangulation_squared]

I'd love Luke Breust

22

Luke Breust

Age

33

Ht

182cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.6

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

6.7

4star

M

3.4

3star

T

4.0

5star

G

1.9

5star

D

10.0

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

4.0

3star

M

1.3

1star

T

4.8

5star

G

1.5

5star

D

9.8

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

1.8

5star

's call on Jackson Callow to be on the money.

The break out performances are most likely coming from the first rounder picks DGB and Sam Ward if they don't get injured.

Now Tyler Brockman has Cyril's number, I'd love to see him get his tackle per game count up to the 5 per game average he held with subiaco. Ramping up that type of fast closing pressure at an elite level would be a breakout performance he is easily capable of.

With leg speed an issue across the board, Butler, Downie and Serong may get a chance to make a strong impression.

As a fan, I'm all chips in on Jai, Nash and Ned Long. The ceiling is not as high as the cream, but they're the ones who can impact the culture.

 

[PenAndPaper]

Morrison. People will actually realise his value to the team.

 

[rei154]

Morrison. People will actually realise his value to the team.

This might be the year my militant defense of Morrison on this sub goes nuclear.
Looks primed for a big year, just hope his body holds up!