Since the Hawks won their premiership in 2008, they have showed some expert drafting to stay at the top of their game.
Who were their first-round draft picks in this time?
2008 Pick #16 Ryan Schoenmaker
Hawks fans have had a love-hate relationship with Schoenmaker since he joining the club in 2008. Showing great skill one week against the likes of Travis Cloke and Kurt Tippett and then having a shocker the week later. But with the move forward in 2015, he now looks more suited to the forward line and midfield.
2009 Pick #09 Traded for Shaun Burgoyne
Traded from Port’s Shaun Burgoyne, he has become a major part of the Hawks threepeat. He has become a four-time premiership player himself. For the Hawks the trade of Burgoyne was fantastic. Burgoyne has shown respect to the number 9 that has been worn by other greats of the Hawthorn club.
2010 Pick #19 Isaac Smith
Smith has fast become one of the major running machines for the Hawks. He has the ability to outrun most opponents and can kick the ball with accuracy into the Hawks forward line. He has fast become a major member of the Hawks best 22.
2011 Pick #24 Traded for Jack Gunston
Gunston wanted a traded home to Victoria and was picked up in 2011. In his first season, he found it hard to break into the top 22 until Jordan Lewis was suspended in Round 10. At that point he cemented his position in the team. Since then he has become one of the most important members of the forward line, especially after Lance Franklin left at the end of the 2013 season.
2012 Pick #21 Traded for Brian Lake
Despite already having a strong side, the Hawks went after Lake, giving up pick #21 and #43 to the Dogs for him. Since then he has come one of the Hawks main defenders for the three years he has been at the club.
Winning the 2013 Norm Smith and becoming a triple premiership player, he would have to be happy with his choice. With his retirement after the 2015 grand final, Lake will go down as one of the great Hawks and will be missed in the backline.
2013 Pick #18 Traded for Ben McEvoy
With the retirement of Max Bailey, the Hawks need another ruckman to help out Dave Hale until the other young ruckmen could mature and develop. In 2014 McEvoy had to fight his way into the top 22 with fellow ruckman Jonathan Ceglar. The two traded ins and outs for the whole of the season. In the end he made his way to the 2014 grand final ahead of Ceglar, winning his first premiership medallion then backing it up with the 2015 Premiership.
2014 Pick #19 Traded for Jonathan O’Rourke
So far O’Rourke is still trying to get himself into the best 22 of the Hawks. Only playing two games, so far he has not shown that he is the right fit for the Hawks. However, there is still time for the 21 year old.
2015 Pick #18
At this point in time the Hawks look to have pick 18. There are stories going around that they may be going after one of the Suns’ young players.
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