The 2021 Hawthorn Football Club season was the club's 97th season in the Australian Football League and 120th overall, the 22nd season playing home games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 21st season playing home games at the University of Tasmania Stadium, the 17th season under head coach Alastair Clarkson, and the 1st season with Ben McEvoy as captain.
On 6 July 2021, Hawthorn announced that former premiership captain and current assistant coach Sam Mitchell would succeed Clarkson as coach when his contract expired following the 2022 season. However, just a few weeks later the club announced that Clarkson would instead depart at the end of the 2021 season. Clarkson departed the club as the most decorated coach in club history, having coached the most games (home and away, finals, total), wins (home and away, finals, total), and premierships. Following the announcement, Hawthorn finished the season strongly with wins over premiership contenders, Brisbane, and the Western Bulldogs. They also defeated Collingwood, and draw with the two–time defending premiers Richmond.
Hawthorn improved on their 5–12 record from the previous season. Hawthorn finished in 14th place with a 7–13–2 record. For the first and only time under Alastair Clarkson, the club failed to qualify for finals for the third consecutive season. Luke Breust topped the club goalkicking for the third time, finishing the season with 33 goals. Tom Mitchell won his third Peter Crimmins Medal.
Club summary The 2021 AFL season was the 125th season of the VFL/AFL competition since its inception in 1897; having entered the competition in 1925, it was the 97th season contested by the Hawthorn Football Club. Tasmania, iiNet, and Nissan continued as the club's three major sponsors, as they have done since 2006, 2013, and 2019 respectively, while Adidas continued to manufacture the club's on-and-off field apparel, as they have done since 2013. Hawthorn continued its alignment with the Box Hill Hawks Football Club in the Victorian Football League, allowing Hawthorn-listed players to play with the Box Hill Hawks when not selected in AFL matches.
Senior personnel On 23 September 2020, Forwards coach Scott Burns departed the club after three–seasons to join Adelaide as a senior assistant coach. On 9 October 2020, Head of matchday strategy and opposition coach, Adem Yze departed Hawthorn after nine–seasons spent in various roles and joined Melbourne as an assistant coach. The club Yze had spent his entire playing career. On 17 October 2020, it was announced that Craig McRae would join the club as an assistant coach. McRae was previously an assistant coach with Richmond, and had been a part of the club's 2017, 2019, and 2020 premierships. McRae had also coached Richmond's VFL team to a premiership in 2019 and was named VFL coach of the year for the 2019 season. On 29 October 2020, the coaching lineup for the 2021 season was announced with numerous line coach changes due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19. After spending 2020 as the midfield coach, Sam Mitchell moved into a development while also being placed in the role of head coach of the club's VFL affiliate Box Hill Hawks. Chris Newman will take over as backline coach. Craig McRae will be in charge of the forward line filling the vacancy left by Scott Burns. Brendon Bolton will become the midfield coach, after spending the 2020 season as the director of coaching. On 16 January 2021, Graham Wright departed the club after 14 years. Two days later it was confirmed that Wright joined Collingwood as the general manager of football. Rob McCartney was announced as the new Head of Football on 10 February 2021. On 29 January 2021, Ben McEvoy was appointed the 45th captain of Hawthorn since joining the VFA in 1914 and 37th since joining the VFL in 1925. Jaeger O'Meara remains in his role of vice-captain which he has held since 2020. Tom Mitchell, Jack Gunston, Liam Shiels remained a part of the leadership group alongside new addition James Worpel.
Playing list changes
Trades 5 October 2020 To Hawthorn Kyle Hartigan To Adelaide 4th round pick, 2021 AFL draft 12 October 2020 To Hawthorn Tom Phillips To Collingwood Pick 65, 2020 AFL draft 9 December 2020 To Hawthorn Pick 66, 2020 AFL draft Pick 69, 2020 AFL draft 2nd round pick, 2021 AFL draft To Collingwood Pick 41, 2020 AFL draft Pick 42, 2020 AFL draft 9 December 2020 To Hawthorn Pick 54, 2020 AFL draft 4th round pick, 2020 AFL draft (via Richmond) To St Kilda Pick 43, 2020 AFL draft 9 December 2020 To Hawthorn Pick 46, 2020 AFL draft 4th round pick, 2020 AFL draft (via Richmond) To Melbourne 3rd round pick, 2021 AFL draft
Free agency Date Player F/A Type Old Club Deal Compensation Ref 5 March 2021 Lachlan Bramble Box Hill Signed a 1–year rookie deal
Departures Date Player F/A Type New Club Deal Compensation Ref 30 October 2020 Isaac Smith Unrestricted Geelong Signed a 2–year deal End of 3rd-round pick
Draft
AFL draft Round Overall pick Player Recruited from ref 1 6 Denver Grainger-Barras Swan Districts 2 29 Seamus Mitchell Bendigo Pioneers 2 35 Connor Downie Eastern Rangers 3 46 Tyler Brockman Subiaco
Rookie draft Round Overall pick Player Recruited from ref 1 4 Jack Saunders Norwood
Mid-season rookie draft The Mid-season draft will take place during Hawthorns bye week. Hawthorn will have two selections due to Jonathon Pattons retirement and James Sicily being placed on the long-term injury list. Round Overall pick Player Recruited from ref 1 2 Jai Newcombe Box Hill 2 17 Jackson Callow Norwood
Retirements and delistings Date Player 2021 team Reason Ref 14 September 2020 Paul Puopolo Retired 14 September 2020 Ben Stratton Retired 23 September 2020 Conor Glass Retired 23 September 2020 Ricky Henderson Retired 7 October 2020 Will Golds Delisted 7 October 2020 Darren Minchington Delisted 7 October 2020 Jackson Ross Delisted 8 October 2020 James Frawley St Kilda Delisted 25 November 2020 Harry Jones Delisted 25 November 2020 Mathew Walker Delisted
2021 player squad
Community series Rd Date and local time Opponent Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) Venue Report Home Away Result 1 Saturday, 6 March (4:10 pm) North Melbourne 12.9 (81) 17.18 (120) Won by 39 points Arden Street Oval Report
Home & Away season Rd Date and local time Opponent Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) Venue Record Report Home Away Result 1 Saturday, 20 March (7:25 pm) Essendon 13.13 (91) 14.8 (92) Won by 1 point Marvel Stadium 1–0 Report 2 Sunday, 28 March (1:10 pm) Richmond 7.7 (49) 11.12 (78) Lost by 29 points Melbourne Cricket Ground 1–1 Report 3 Monday, April 5 (3:20 pm) Geelong 10.9 (69) 9.10 (64) Lost by 5 points Melbourne Cricket Ground 1–2 Report 4 Sunday, 11 April (2:40 pm) Fremantle 13.18 (96) 12.9 (81) Lost by 15 points Optus Stadium 1–3 Report 5 Sunday, 18 April (3:20 pm) Melbourne 8.6 (54) 15.14 (104) Lost by 50 points Melbourne Cricket Ground 1–4 Report 6 Sunday, 25 April (12:30 pm) Adelaide 15.12 (102) 16.3 (99) Won by 3 points University of Tasmania Stadium 2–4 Report 7 Saturday, 1 May (4:35 pm) St Kilda 19.14 (128) 9.5 (59) Lost by 69 points Marvel Stadium 2–5 Report 8 Sunday, 9 May (1:10 pm) West Coast 8.12 (60) 14.14 (98) Lost by 38 points Melbourne Cricket Ground 2–6 Report 9 Saturday, 15 May (2:10 pm) North Melbourne 12.8 (80) 13.9 (87) Lost by 7 points University of Tasmania Stadium 2–7 Report 10 Saturday, 22 May (1:45 pm) Carlton 13.8 (86) 9.9 (63) Lost by 23 points Melbourne Cricket Ground 2–8 Report 11 Saturday, 29 May (7:40 pm) Gold Coast 17.11 (113) 11.10 (76) Lost by 37 points Sydney Cricket Ground 2–9 Report 12 Bye 13 Friday, 11 June (7:50 pm) Sydney 7.9 (51) 14.5 (89) Won by 38 points Sydney Cricket Ground 3–9 Report 14 Sunday, 20 June (3:20 pm) Essendon 10.13 (73) 13.8 (86) Lost by 13 points University of Tasmania Stadium 3–10 Report 15 Sunday, 27 June (1:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney 11.6 (72) 13.13 (90) Won by 18 points Melbourne Cricket Ground 4–10 Report 16 Saturday, 3 July (7:40 pm) Port Adelaide 7.11 (53) 13.9 (87) Lost by 34 points Marvel Stadium 4–11 Report 17 Saturday, 10 July (1:45 pm) Fremantle 6.10 (46) 16.12 (108) Lost by 62 points University of Tasmania Stadium 4–12 Report 18 Saturday, 17 July (7:25 pm) Melbourne 11.13 (79) 12.7 (79) Draw Melbourne Cricket Ground 4–12–1 Report 19 Saturday, 31 July (7:40 pm) Adelaide 16.6 (102) 13.5 (83) Lost by 19 points Marvel Stadium 4–13–1 Report 20 Sunday, 1 August (2:10 pm) Brisbane Lions 14.8 (92) 12.8 (80) Won by 12 points University of Tasmania Stadium 5–13–1 Report 21 Sunday, 8 August (2:10 pm) Collingwood 15.7 (97) 12.6 (78) Won by 19 points Melbourne Cricket Ground 6–13–1 Report 22 Saturday, 14 August (1:45 pm) Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64) 5.7 (37) Won by 27 points University of Tasmania Stadium 7–13–1 Report 23 Saturday, 21 August (1:35 pm) Richmond 12.11 (83) 12.11 (83) Draw Melbourne Cricket Ground 7–13–2 Report
Ladder
Statistics No. Name 1 Harry Morrison15(1)72231124107673407142Mitchell Lewis14229142915167282913103Tom Mitchell228575432143398105024294Jarman Impey1320288181107703301645James Worpel201084262321945482015276James Sicily000000000007Ben McEvoy (c)221282751351401117837028148Sam Frost22003331941391124437319Shaun Burgoyne18(3)1121713384463105510Jaeger O'Meara185947323224174910163111Conor Nash8(1)2111051592623031012Will Day50099554425805713Oliver Hanrahan13(2)861417170311307414Jack Scrimshaw20(1)424122491631272908315Blake Hardwick2002418312106108410221016Lachlan Bramble101318311964442007317Daniel Howe20(1)85373249124109400181718Jonathon Ceglar1222180671135326249101619Jack Gunston1007611200020Chad Wingard1612113571991585861019821Tom Phillips221354062411659347023622Luke Breust19331123812111747620121323Tim O'Brien19(1)12521914772903212181624James Cousins10(1)2518710186273708626Liam Shiels215444424420093990163127Michael Hartley31156391714501328Kyle Hartigan19002011069566162152829Changkuoth Jiath160232417215293260182230Damon Greaves7(2)10744826161206231Keegan Brooksby0000000000032Finn Maginness2(1)00155101501133Harry Pepper0000000000034Jacob Koschitzke20271916398657737113735Josh Morris5(4)016421503036Dylan Moore2027113071601477658027937Ned Reeves5104819298201315538Denver Grainger-Barras500372512171103239Emerson Jeka4222613137401040Seamus Mitchell0000000000041Connor Downie2(1)0012662000042Tyler Brockman11(1)104985246272302643Jack Saunders0000000000044Jai Newcombe7(2)11623230173904845Jackson Callow00000000000
Awards, records and milestones Awards AFL awards 22 Under 22 team: Changkuoth Jiath
Club awards Peter Crimmins Medal: Tom Mitchell Best clubman: Ben McEvoy Most consistent player: Sam Frost Most promising player: Changkuoth Jiath Best first year player (debut season): Jacob Koschitzke
Club records Most tackles: 1,387 – Liam Shiels Most goal assists: 209 – Luke Breust Most score involvements: 1,474 – Luke Breust Most games coached: 390 – Alastair Clarkson Most victories coached: 228 – Alastair Clarkson Most home and away games coached: 364 – Alastair Clarkson Most home and away victories coached: 212 – Alastair Clarkson Most uncontested disposals in a season: 504 – Tom Mitchell
Milestones Round 1 Tyler Brockman – AFL debut. Connor Downie – AFL debut. Kyle Hartigan – Hawthorn debut. Jacob Koschitzke – AFL debut. Tom Phillips – Hawthorn debut. Tyler Brockman – 1st AFL goal. Tom Phillips – 1st goal for Hawthorn.
Round 2 James Worpel – 50th AFL game. Jacob Koschitzke – 1st AFL goal.
Round 4 Jarman Impey – 50th game for Hawthorn. Michael Hartley – 1st goal for Hawthorn.
Round 6 Jack Scrimshaw – 1st AFL goal.
Round 7 Emerson Jeka – AFL debut.
Round 8 Alastair Clarkson – 350th Home and Away game coached. Harry Morrison – 50th AFL game.
Round 10 Ned Reeves – AFL debut.
Round 11 Tom Phillips – 100th AFL game. Damon Greaves – 1st AFL goal. Ned Reeves – 1st AFL goal.
Round 13 Tom Phillips – 50th AFL goal. Jai Newcombe – AFL debut.
Round 14