Blake Hardwick

Recruited from the Eastern Ranges with pick 44 in the 2015 National Draft, Blake Hardwick arrived at Hawthorn as a prodigious goal-kicker who had dominated the TAC Cup as a forward. Despite his junior reputation as a potent scoreboard threat—highlighted by a 12-goal haul in a single under-18s match—his AFL career took a pivotal turn early on when coach Alastair Clarkson reinvented him as a small defender. This positional switch proved a masterstroke, as Hardwick quickly established himself as one of the league's most reliable lockdown operators.

Known affectionately as "Dimma," Hardwick built his reputation on rugged, no-nonsense defending, capable of nullifying dangerous small forwards and taller opponents alike with his surprising strength and overhead ability. While primarily a backline anchor who rarely garnered external media attention, his internal value was immense, reflected in multiple podium finishes in the Peter Crimmins Medal during difficult seasons for the club. As the Hawks transitioned into a new era under Sam Mitchell, Hardwick became a vital steadying influence and a member of the leadership group, occasionally swinging forward to utilise his natural attacking instincts when the team needed a spark. Now approaching the 200-game milestone, he stands as a courageous and durable figure at Waverley Park, widely respected for his consistency and physical sacrifice.