2022 Best 22 – Hawthorn Hawks

Lots of experts have the Hawks taking out this year’s wooden spoon but I’m not so sure about that. They have an exciting group of youngsters along with a couple classy veterans. With Sam Mitchell at the helm, I can see them being a lot more competitive than people are expecting.

Hawthorn Hawks Best 22

I really like the Hawks defence. Yes it probably will leak a few points BUT they have some of the best attacking defenders in the game in Changkouth Jiath, Jarman Impey and Jack Scrimshaw. Getting James Sicily back will be a huge boost for them, although I see him having to play a little more lockdown than in previous years. Sam Frost and Blake Hardwick will get those genuine lockdown roles while Kyle Hartigan will also roll through the back six to provide some stability.

Will Day should make the wing his own this year. He is a serious talent and I’m expecting a lot better from Tom Phillips this year in his second year at the Hawks. 

Sam Mitchell, Jaeger O’Meara and James Worpel provide plenty of grunt in the engine room, while I still expect Ben McEvoy to be the lead ruckman, while Max Lynch finds his feet at his new Club. I have Lynch starting over Ned Reeves as I see him not only as the better ruckman but also more capable up forward.

Jack Gunston returns after missing a stack of footy last year. He alongside Luke Breust and Chad Wingard will provide some experienced heads around the young key forwards in Mitch Lewis and Jacob Koschitzke. Dylan Moore is a star in the making and he’s going to improve more as the Hawks do.

Liam Shiels and Dan Howe also provide a bit of experience off the bench but you could easily throw Conor Nash, Lachie Bramble or Harry Morrison in there as well.

I’m excited to see the debut of both Josh Ward and Connor Macdonald this season at some stage. They are talented kids and will hold their own at AFL level. Denver Grainger-Barras will continue to develop at VFL level for a bit but will be gunning for a key position later in the year.  

CBA prediction

2021 CBA leaders (by average):

1. Jaeger O’Meara
2. Tom Mitchell
3. Ned Reeves
4. Jon Ceglar
5. James Worpel
6. Ben McEvoy

The Oracle’s 2022 CBA prediction:

1. Jaeger O’Meara
2. Tom Mitchell
3. Max Lynch
4. James Worpel
5. Ben McEvoy
6. Chad Wingard

Kick-in prediction

2021 kick-in leaders:

1. Blake Hardwick
2. Jack Scrimshaw
3. Shaun Burgoyne

The Oracle’s 2022 kick-in prediction:

1. James Sicily
2. Jack Scrimshaw
3. Blake Hardwick