Hawthorn 2023 AFL Preview & Predictions

<p>Sometimes you simply have to blow it up and start again. That appears to be the conclusion Hawthorn have come to ahead of the 2023 season.</p> <p>After four seasons without finals footy, it has become apparent for the Hawks hierarchy that the procrastinating has to stop, it’s time to hit the reset button.</p> <p>As a result, there have been sweeping changes to Hawthorn’s roster, with a host of established players being shown the door.</p> <p>As with most rebuilds, the short-term usually makes for horrific viewing, but the sooner you get it over with, the sooner you can return to the upper echelons of the ladder.</p> <p>Can the once back-to-back-to-back champions expedite the notoriously torturous rebuilding phase and return to the glory days sooner rather than later?</p> <p>Or does a long and painful road lie ahead for the once mighty Hawks and their supporters?</p> <p>Want the best Hawthorn tips and predictions for the upcoming AFL season? Read our preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p><strong><em>Karl Amon (Port Adelaide)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Josh Bennetts (Category B rookie)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Fergus Greene (Free Agent)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Henry Hustwaite (No.37 draft pick)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Bailey Macdonald (No.51 draft pick)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Cam Mackenzie (No.7 draft pick)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Lloyd Meek (Fremantle Dockers)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Jack O'Sullivan (No.46 draft pick)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Cooper Stephens (Geelong Cats)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Josh Weddle (No.18 draft pick)</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Headlining the Hawks sweeping recruitment drive are Karl Amon and Lloyd Meek.</p> <p>Wingman Amon joins after an impressive tenure with Port Adelaide and is expected to slot straight into the Hawks starting side.</p> <p>Rookie ruckman Lloyd Meek has signed on after a stint with the Dockers that yielded minimal game time.</p> <p>Still only 22 years of age, Meek is definitely one for the future and should land a spot on the interchange to start the season.</p> <p>In addition to these two, Hawthorn have signed a host of draft picks, rookies and free agents.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p><em><strong>Jackson Callow (Delisted)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Connor Downie (Delisted)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Jack Gunston (Brisbane Lions)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Kyle Hartigan (Delisted)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Daniel Howe (Delisted)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Ben McEvoy (Retired)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Tom Mitchell (Collingwood)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Jaeger O'Meara (Fremantle Dockers)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Tom Phillips (Delisted)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Jack Saunders (Delisted)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Liam Shiels (Retired)</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>As part of Hawthorn’s epic clean out, over 1000 games of first-grade experience has been shown the door.</p> <p>Midfielder Jaeger O’Meara has joined the Dockers, experienced goal machine Jack Gunston is off to the Lions and in probably the biggest loss for the club, former Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell has been traded to Collingwood.</p> <p>Additionally, captain and ruckman Ben McEvoy has decided to call time on his career, signalling a true changing of the guard moment for the club.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>Player To Watch</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p><em><strong>Jack Scrimshaw</strong></em></p> <p>One of the players Hawthorn will look to as they rebuild, is young defender Jack Scrimshaw.</p> <p>His overhead prowess will no doubt be called on again and again this season to try and repel the endless attacking raids that are inevitably going to head toward the Hawks goalposts in 2023.&nbsp;</p> <p>The left-footed lynchpin proved to be a rare highlight for the brown and gold last season, showcasing his tenacity in the Hawks last line of defence.</p> <p>Scrimshaw is sure to be a busy boy in 2023 with Hawthorn expected to be under the pump defensively in most games they play.</p> <p>If Scrimshaw can help stop the bleeding at the back, it will go a long way to helping the Hawks make it through this transitional period with at least some of their dignity still intact.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Hawthorn Season Prediction</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p>Predicted finish: <strong>17th</strong></p> <p>You’ve all heard the saying “things have to get worse before they get better”? Good. Because you’re about to see it put into practice by Hawthorn this season.</p> <p>The Hawks finished 13th last season, well below the lofty standards their fans have become accustomed to.</p> <p>The good news is, they won’t be finishing there again. The bad news is, there are five places below 13th waiting to greet the rebuilding Hawks.</p> <p>The exuberance of youth can only get you so far in this game and when you’ve lost as much experience as the brown and gold have, you’re bound to have more than a few headaches.</p> <p>In fact, there are only two players on the Hawks entire list who have played more than 150 games in the AFL.</p> <p>While the immediate future may appear to be all doom and gloom for the Hawthorn faithful, this season will be a necessary albeit painfully step in their long journey back to the AFL promised land.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Hawthorn’s Best 22</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p><strong>B:</strong> Blake Hardwick, Sam Frost, James Blanck</p> <p><strong>HB: </strong>Changkuoth Jiath, James Sicily, Jack Scrimshaw</p> <p><strong>C: </strong>Will Day, Jai Newcombe, Karl Amon</p> <p><strong>HF:</strong> Connor Macdonald, Jacob Koschitzke, Dylan Moore</p> <p><strong>F:</strong> Chad Wingard, Mitch Lewis, Luke Breust</p> <p><strong>Foll: </strong>Ned Reeves, James Worpel, Josh Ward</p> <p><strong>I/C:</strong> Lloyd Meek, Jarman Impey, Harry Morrison, Conor Nash</p>