The most successful club of the period it is no surprise that all bar one of the players in their team of the decade have tasted premiership success in brown and gold. Throw in three Norm Smith Medallists and it is unquestionably a squad that knows how to perform on the grandest stage. While there may be a few Hawks that could consider themselves unlucky, it is a tough ask trying to identify one of this 22 that should make way for any player that missed the cut.
FULLBACK LINE
This trio is among 17 Hawks in this side that played in all three of the clubs premierships in the decade. Hard to imagine a best Hawthorn team of the period without this trio among its number.
HALFBACK LINE
The Hawks shrewd trading and recruitment was a key plank in the club becoming the powerhouse of the decade and Shaun Burgoyne and Josh Gibson are two of the greatest success stories. Matt Suckling was a member of two premierships and is deserving of his place alongside two of the first Hawks players picked for this team.
CENTRELINE
A centreline that caused the AFL’s coaches countless headaches throughout the decade, Hill, Mitchell and Smith was electrifying. Speed on the wings and unrivalled ball-winning in the middle, this trio cut you up inside and out.
HALF FORWARD LINE
The Hawks embarrassment of riches is again on show on the half forward line. Hard to beat in the air and at ground level, Rioli, Franklin and Gunston were all deadly in front of goal too.
FULL FORWARD LINE
A champion of the Hawthorn Football Club, Jarryd Roughead was a dangerous target up forward throughout the decade. His ability to bring the ball to ground when unable to mark the ball was feasted on consistently by Luke Breust and Paul Puopolo who made this a powerful forward line.
RUCKS
One of the best ruckmen of the period and two players who are in the upper echelon of Hawthorn greats. McEvoy, Hodge and Lewis were three players whose place in this side was never in any question.
INTERCHANGE
A Brownlow Medallist, and three players with eight premierships between them makes for one hell of a powerful bench. Wonderful Hawthorn servants all four of Tom Mitchell, David Hale, Luke Shiell and Brad Sewell are all deserving of their place in the club’s team of the decade.
FULL TEAM
FB: Birchall Lake Stratton
HB: Burgoyne Gibson Suckling
C: Hill S.Mitchell Smith
HF: Rioli Franklin Gunston
FF: Breust Roughead Puopolo
R: McEvoy Hodge Lewis
INT: T.Mitchell Hale Shiells Sewell
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What an exciting team. Wish they were still with us.