The 2015 season was the Hawthorn Football Club's 91st season in the Australian Football League and 114th overall. Hawthorn entered the season as the two-time defending AFL premiers, having won back-to-back AFL premierships. Hawthorn won their third consecutive AFL premiership, fifth AFL premiership, and thirteenth premiership overall, defeating West Coast 107–61 in the Grand Final. Hawthorn became the first team to win five premierships in the AFL era. Hawthorn became just the second team in the AFL era to win three-consecutive premierships; joining the Brisbane Lions (2001–2003); and the sixth team in VFL/AFL history to win three consecutive premierships; joining Carlton (1906–1908), Collingwood (1927–1930), and Melbourne (twice; 1939–1941, 1955–1957). Alastair Clarkson won his fourth premiership as coach, tying with Leigh Matthews for most premierships won in the AFL era. Clarkson also surpassed John Kennedy Sr. and Allan Jeans (3) for most premierships won as coach of Hawthorn. Luke Hodge joined Michael Voss as the only players to captain three premierships in the AFL era. Grant Birchall, Shaun Burgoyne, Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Cyril Rioli, and Jarryd Roughead all won their fourth premierships, tying with Martin Pike for the most in the AFL era. Shaun Burgoyne played in his sixth AFL Grand Final, tying with Martin Pike for the most appearances in the AFL era.
Club summary The 2015 AFL season was the 119th season of the VFL/AFL competition since its inception in 1897; having entered the competition in 1925, it was the 91st season contested by the Hawthorn Football Club. The Melbourne Cricket Ground once again acted as Hawthorn's primary home ground, hosting six of the club's eleven home games,2015 Fixture released, Hawthorn Football Club official website, 30 October 2014 with four games played at their secondary home ground, Aurora Stadium in Launceston, and one played at Etihad Stadium in Round 21. The four matches at Aurora Stadium were against the Western Bulldogs, Gold Coast Suns, and the Brisbane Lions in rounds 3, 9, 15 and 22 respectively,2015 Tasmania matches released, Hawthorn Football Club official website, 29 October 2014 while the one home game at Etihad Stadium was against in Round 21. The club played , , Port Adelaide, and twice during the regular season, and travelled interstate five times (twice each to Sydney and Adelaide, and once to Perth).
Major sponsors Tasmania and iiNet continued as the club's two major sponsors,Tasmania , Hawthorn Football Club official websiteiiNet , Hawthorn Football Club official website while Adidas continued to manufacture the club's on-and-off field apparel.Hawks sign five-year deal with Adidas, mUmBRELLA, 13 September 2012
Senior Personnel Alastair Clarkson continued as the club's head coach for the eleventh consecutive season, while Luke Hodge continued as the club's captain for the fifth consecutive season. Both have held their respective positions since 2005 and 2011, respectively.
Playing list changes During the 2014 off-season, the Hawks acquired the services of 's James Frawley via the free agency system,James Frawley joins Hawthorn as a free agent, Melbourne receives pick 3 as compensation, Herald Sun, 6 October 2014 as well as those of 's Jonathan O'Rourke during the trade period.O'Rourke Becomes A Hawk, GWS Giants Official Website, 9 October 2014 200-gamer Brad Sewell announced his retirement shortly after the end of the club's 2014 season, in which the club won their 12th premiership but for which he was overlooked. In addition, Mitch Hallahan, Kyle Cheney and Luke Lowden were all traded away from the club, while Jordan Kelly, Derick Wanganeen and Ben Ross were all delisted.
The following lists all player changes between the conclusion of the 2014 season and the beginning of the 2015 season.
Trades 9 October 2014To Jonathan O'RourkePick 43, 2014 AFL draftTo Pick 19, 2014 AFL draftPick 40, 2014 AFL draft16 October 2014To Pick 47, 2014 AFL draftPick 49, 2014 AFL draftTo Mitch Hallahan16 October 2014To Pick 31, 2014 AFL draftPick 50, 2014 AFL draftPick 68, 2014 AFL draftTo Kyle CheneyLuke LowdenPick 43, 2014 AFL draftPick 47, 2014 AFL draftPick 59, 2014 AFL draft
Free Agency
Additions DatePlayerTag2014 teamDealCompensationRef6 October 2014James FrawleyMelbourneSigned 4-year, $2.2 million deal1st round pick, 2014 AFL draft
Draft
AFL draft RoundOverall pickPlayerRecruited fromref231Daniel HoweMurray Bushrangers349Teia MilesGeelong Falcons350Marc PittonetOakleigh Chargers
Rookie draft RoundOverall pickPlayerRecruited fromref118Jared HardistyClaremont236Jermaine Miller-LewisSouth Fremantle353Lachlan LangfordMelbourne Grammar School465Sam GrimleyHawthorn
Retirements and delistings DatePlayer2015 teamReasonRef25 March 2014Dayle GarlettDelisted4 October 2014Brad SewellRetired9 October 2014Jordan KellyWestern BulldogsDelisted9 October 2014Derick WanganeenDelisted9 October 2014Ben RossDelisted
2015 player squad
Season summary
Pre-season matches The club played three practice matches as part of the 2015 NAB Challenge, and were played under modified pre-season rules, including nine-point goals.
Rd Date and local time Opponent Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) Venue Home Away Result 1 Thursday, 26 February (7:10 pm) 2.8.6 (72) 0.17.14 (116) Lost by 44 points Aurora Stadium (H) 2 Sunday, 8 March (4:10 pm) 2.9.13 (85) 1.9.9 (72) Lost by 13 points Deakin Reserve, Shepparton (A) 3 Thursday, 19 March (7:10 pm) 1.4.6 (39) 22.13 (145) Won by 106 points Etihad Stadium (A) Source
Premiership Season
Home and away season Rd Date and local time Opponent Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) Venue Record Report Home Away Result 1 Monday, 6 April (3:20 pm) 17.21 (123) 8.13 (61) Won by 62 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) 1–0 Report 2 Sunday, 12 April (3:20 pm) 12.6 (78) 11.10 (76) Lost by 2 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) 1–1 Report 3 Sunday, 19 April (1:10 pm) Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) 8.9 (57) Won by 70 points Aurora Stadium (H) 2–1 Report 4 Saturday, 25 April (7:10 pm) 15.9 (99) 13.13 (91) Lost by 8 points Adelaide Oval (A) 2–2 Report 5 Saturday, 2 May (7:20 pm) 10.10 (70) 19.16 (130) Won by 60 points Etihad Stadium (A) 3–2 Report 6 Saturday, 9 May (4:35 pm) 16.12 (108) 14.14 (98) Lost by 10 points Spotless Stadium (A) 3–3 Report 7 Saturday, 16 May (2:10 pm) 24.11 (155) 7.8 (50) Won by 105 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) 4–3 Report 8 Saturday, 23 May (7:20 pm) 9.15 (69) 11.7 (73) Lost by 4 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) 4–4 Report 9 Saturday, 30 May (1:45 pm) 14.9 (93) 6.4 (40) Won by 53 points Aurora Stadium (H) 5–4 Report 10 Sunday, 7 June (4:40 pm) 10.9 (69) 20.12 (132) Won by 63 points Etihad Stadium (A) 6–4 Report 11 Bye 12 Thursday, 18 June (7:20 pm) 12.13 (85) 17.12 (114) Won by 29 points Adelaide Oval (A) 7–4 Report13 Saturday, 27 June (2:10 pm) 16.18 (114) 11.10 (76) Won by 38 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) 8–4 Report14 Friday, July 3 (7:50 pm) 12.19 (91) 15.11 (101) Won by 10 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) 9–4 Report 15 Sunday, 12 July (3:20 pm) 17.13 (115) 6.7 (43) Won by 72 points Aurora Stadium (H) 10–4 Report 16 Saturday, 18 July (7:20 pm) 7.15 (57) 23.8 (146) Won by 89 points ANZ Stadium (A) 11–4 Report 17 Friday, 24 July (7:50 pm) 4.11 (35) 27.11 (173) Won by 138 points Etihad Stadium (A) 12–4 Report 18 Friday, 31 July (7:50 pm) 7.11 (53) 10.11 (71) Lost by 18 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) 12–5 Report 19 Saturday, 8 August (5:40 pm) 11.8 (74) 13.10 (88) Won by 14 points Domain Stadium (A) 13–5 Report 20 Saturday, 15 August (7:20 pm) 12.13 (85) 19.7 (121) Won by 36 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) 14–5 Report 21 Friday, 21 August (7:50 pm) 13.8 (86) 16.12 (108) Lost by 22 points Etihad Stadium (H) 14–6 Report 22 Saturday, 29 August (2:10 pm) 21.8 (134) 9.8 (62) Won by 72 points Aurora Stadium (H) 15–6 Report 23 Saturday, 5 September (4:40 pm) 17.11 (113) 8.8 (56) Won by 57 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) 16–6 Report Source
Ladder
Finals
Rd Date and local time Opponent Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) Venue Report Home Away Result Qualifying final Friday, 11 September () 14.12 (96) 9.10 (64) Lost by 32 points Domain Stadium (A) Report Semi-final Friday, 18 September (7:50 pm) 21.9 (135) 8.13 (61) Won by 74 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) Report Preliminary final Friday, 25 September () 10.7 (67) 15.4 (94) Won by 27 points Domain Stadium (A) ReportGrand Final Saturday, 3 October () 16.11 (107) 8.13 (61) Won by 46 points Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) Report
Awards, Records & Milestones Awards 2015 All-Australian team selection: Josh Gibson, Sam Mitchell, Cyril Rioli Norm Smith Medallist: Cyril Rioli
Records Round 1: Sam Mitchell kicked Hawthorn's 170,000th point in the VFL/AFL Round 17: Hawthorn inflicted 's heaviest AFL defeat, winning by 138 points. The Hawks' score of 27.11 (173) was also the highest score posted during the AFL season.
Milestones Round 1: James Frawley – first AFL game for Hawthorn (previously with ) Round 2: James Sicily – AFL debut Jonathan O'Rourke – first AFL game for Hawthorn (previously with ) Round 3: Jarryd Roughead – 450th AFL goal Round 7: Grant Birchall – 200th AFL game Round 8: Ben Stratton – 100th AFL game Round 9: Luke Breust– 100th AFL game Daniel Howe – AFL debut Round 10: Taylor Duryea – 50th AFL game Alastair Clarkson – 150th win as head coach Round 14: Luke Breust – 200th AFL goal Round 15: Luke Hodge – 100th AFL game as Hawthorn captain Paul Puopolo – 100th AFL game Round 16: Isaac Smith – 100th AFL game Cyril Rioli – 200th AFL goal Round 17: Jack Gunston – 200th AFL goal Round 18: Alastair Clarkson – 250th AFL game as head coach Round 19: Cyril Rioli – 150th AFL game Round 21: Hawthorn's 1,900th game of VFL/AFL football. Round 22: Jack Gunston – 100th AFL game Semi Final: Matt Suckling – 100th AFL game Preliminary Final: Brian Lake – 250th AFL game
Brownlow Medal
Results Round 1 vote 2 votes 3 votes 1 Sam Mitchell () Luke Breust () Jordan Lewis () 2 Dyson Heppell () Michael Hurley () Jobe Watson () 3 Sam Mitchell () Jarryd Roughead () Luke Hodge () 4 Isaac Smith () Alipate Carlile () Travis Boak () 5 Jack Gunston () Jordan Lewis () Sam Mitchell () 6 Isaac Smith () Jeremy Cameron () Callan Ward () 7 Sam Mitchell () Shaun Burgoyne () Jarryd Roughead () 8 Luke Parker () Dan Hannebery () Sam Mitchell () 9 Isaac Smith () Bradley Hill () Sam Mitchell () 10 Luke Hodge () Jack Steven () Sam Mitchell () 11 Bye 12 Rory Sloane () Liam Shiels () Patrick Dangerfield () 13 Liam Shiels () Sam Mitchell () Jarryd Roughead () 14 Jordan Lewis () Cyril Rioli () Scott Pendlebury () 15 Luke Breust () Sam Mitchell () Luke Hodge () 16 Jarryd Roughead () Cyril Rioli () Luke Hodge () 17 Luke Hodge () Jordan Lewis () Jack Gunston () 18 Ivan Maric () Dustin Martin () Anthony Miles () 19 Andrew Gaff () Matt Priddis () Sam Mitchell () 20 Sam Mitchell () Luke Hodge () Cyril Rioli () 21 Sam Gray () Chad Wingard () Robbie Gray () 22 Tom Rockliff () Liam Shiels () Jack Gunston () 23 Josh Gibson () Bradley Hill () Sam Mitchell ()
Brownlow Medal tally Player 1 vote games 2 vote games 3 vote games Total votes Sam Mitchell 4 2 6 26 Luke Hodge 2 1 3 13 Jarryd Roughead 1 1 2 9 Jordan Lewis 1 2 1 8 Jack Gunston 1 0 2 7 Cyril Rioli 0 2 1 7 Liam Shiels 1 2 0 5 Bradley Hill 0 2 0 4 Luke Breust 1 1 0 3 Isaac Smith 3 0 0 3 Shaun Burgoyne 0 1 0 2 Josh Gibson 1 0 0 1 Total 15 14 15 88
italics denotes ineligible player
Tribunal cases Player Round Charge category Verdict Result Victim Club Ref(s) Luke Hodge 5 StrikingGuiltyThree-match suspension Andrew Swallow Jordan Lewis 5 StrikingGuiltyTwo-match suspension Todd Goldstein Sam Mitchell 8 StrikingGuilty $1,000 fine Tom Mitchell Ben Stratton 12 StrikingGuilty $1,000 fine Eddie Betts