HAWTHORN largely looked to its VFLW program and current AFLW players looking for fresh opportunities to build its first AFLW list.

For this reason, it will enjoy plenty of experience across each line as those in their first season settle into the senior level.

B: L.Stephenson  M.Eardley
HB: E.Everist  J.Duffin  A.Gilroy
C: K.Ashmore  J.Fleming  K.McCarthy
HF: B.Hipwell  S.Locke  Z.Barbakos
F: T.Cunningham  S.Perkins
Foll:  L.Wales  T.Lucas-Rodd  C.Baskaran
I/C: E.Shannon  D.Carbone  T.Fellows  T.Luke  A.Kemp

Emerg:  A.McDonagh  B.Deed

Building a new team

In the midfield, reliable clearance winner Tilly Lucas-Rodd will take the lead, likely to create an exciting onball group with Charlotte Baskaran and Jasmine Fleming who can both efficiently break away from stoppages. They will be well supported by the run of Kaitlyn Ashmore and Kate McCarthy on the outside.

Raw ruck Lucy Wales looks set to take on the side's number one ruck mantle, with support coming from Tamara Luke and Tegan Cunningham.

Sarah Perkins and Cunningham will be the key posts in attack for the Hawks, both able to take a strong contested mark and reliable in front of goal, while agile small forwards Bridie Hipwell, Sophie Locke and Zoe Barbakos will look to make the most of it once the ball hits the ground.

Exciting young defenders Mackenzie Eardley and Emily Everist will no doubt be important members of the Hawks backline this season, supported by the experienced Louise Stephenson, Jess Duffin and Aileen Gilroy. Duffin's intercepting and Gilroy's rebounding will prove vital.

Kaitlyn Ashmore (left) presents Bridie Hipwell with a Hawthorn guernsey at the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft on June 29, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

In the mix

The club's first ever signing Bridget Deed is probably the unluckiest to miss here and will certainly challenge for a place in the midfield.

Isabelle Porter and Tamara Smith are both hard workers who can both win the ball and apply defensive pressure through the middle, so offer a level of consistency around the contest should coach Bec Goddard find that lacking.

Up forward, Janet Baird will challenge for spots currently taken by Barbakos and Locke but needs to find ways to work herself into games a little more. And Aine McDonagh's run and attacking mindset may see her challenge McCarthy or Ashmore on the wing.

Fan favourite Akec Makur Chuot misses out here purely because of the height both Eardley and Stephenson offer in defence, although Makur Chuot was used sporadically in attack by Richmond this season so don't rule that option out of her game at Hawthorn. Catherine Brown, Laura Elliott and Jenna Richardson will also challenge for places in that backline.