Opinion
The Hawthorn Hawks finished just one game outside the top eight in 2019, finishing the season in ninth position on the ladder.
If Round 1 is any sign of whether they will feature in the finals series in season 2020, then there is a good chance they will.
This was a tough but at the same time entertaining article to compile, listing the ten players that the Hawks could least afford to lose in season 2020.
10. Chad Wingard
Wingard is a player that is capable of being renowned as a quality player as he displayed in Round 1 of season 2020 where he kicked three goals. He just has to be more consistent and play more games, as he only played 14 games in 2019.
9. Luke Breust
He finished ninth in the 2019 Hawthorn Hawks best-and-fairest and was their leading goal-kicker with 34 goals. He is a reasonably talented small forward slash crumber who showed what he is capable of in Round 1 where he kicked three goals.
(Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)
8. Liam Shiels
Shiels is a player that is underrated. Shiels finished seventh in the Hawthorn Hawks 2019 best-and-fairest. He had a good game in Round 1 of season 2020, finishing the game with 24 disposals.
7. Jaeger O’Meara
He is vice-captain of the Hawthorn Hawks in season 2020. O’Meara finished third in the Hawks 2019 best-and-fairest. He averaged 25.86 disposals a game, which was the second highest of any Hawks player in 2019.
6. Ben Stratton
He will be captain of the Hawthorn Hawks for season 2020. Stratton is a key defender that often plays a key role in the Hawks’ back six. He snuck into the Hawks’ top ten in their 2019 best-and-fairest, despite the fact he missed three games.
5. Jonathon Ceglar
He will be the number one ruckman for the Hawthorn Hawks in season 2020. Ceglar had an impressive 28 hitouts in the Hawks’ Round 1 game against the Brisbane Lions.
4. Ricky Henderson
He is an underrated player as far as the impact that he has on games is concerned. Henderson finished second in the 2019 Hawthorn Hawks best-and-fairest, playing generally on a wing.
3. James Worpel
He won the 2019 Hawthorn Hawks best-and-fairest, due to him having an outstanding season. Worpel played every game, averaging an impressive 26.55 disposals per game. Adding Tom Mitchell to the Hawks’ midfield in season 2020 will take the pressure off Worpel, because it may result in Worpel being tagged less by the opposition.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
2. Tom Mitchell
Perhaps the Hawthorn Hawks would have featured in the 2019 AFL finals series had Tom Mitchell been fit and available. Mitchell missed the entire 2019 season through injury. He won the 2018 Brownlow Medal. He has been added to the Hawks’ leadership group for season 2020 as vice-captain and was arguably their best player in the Hawks’ Round 1 win over the Brisbane Lions.
1. James Sicily
Sicily was the only Hawthorn Hawks player that was a part of the 2019 AFL All Australian 40-player squad. Sicily finished fourth in the Hawks’ 2019 best-and-fairest. He was an important part of the Hawks defeating the Brisbane Lions in Round 1 of season 2020 as he was named in the Hawks’ best players on the AFL website.
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