A BUMPER trade period left Hawthorn with a relatively slender draft hand, though the Hawks made the most of two selections. Among those to land at Waverley was a Next Generation Academy graduate and a key defender who, barring injury, would likely have been considered a top 25 prospect.

>> EVERY PICK: National Draft | Rookie Draft
>> FREE: View the 2024 AFL Draft Guide

DRAFT HAUL

National Draft:

35. Noah Mraz
64. Cody Anderson (NGA)

Pre-Season Draft:

1. Jack Gunston (re-listed)

Category B Rookies:

Matt Hill (rugby)
Jaime Uhr-Henry (basketball)

>> CLICK each player’s names for full profiles & highlights

Despite picking up a pair of key defenders at the trade table in Tom Barrass and Josh Battle, the Hawks added another in Noah Mraz with pick 35. His point of difference is his versatility, capable of playing in any key position post despite largely finding a home down back.

Mraz was sidelined for all bar three games this year with a navicular injury, having also been placed in concussion protocols in the back-end of preseason. Despite that, he returned in time for the National Draft Combine and impressed with his running ability.

Having shown a great deal of professionalism to work back into shape to compete at the combine, Mraz will have a good leg up on his first AFL preseason. He showed more than enough as a bottom-ager to warrant an opportunity, boasting strong fundamental skills and aerial ability.

Hawthorn’s only other point of call at the National Draft was to add NGA talent Cody Anderson to its senior list with pick 64. The ‘Beast from the East’ is one of the most physically readymade prospects in the pool and thrives on applying manic defensive pressure.

A powerful unit at 183cm, Anderson missed a large chunk of the season through injury, sustained in his lone Vic Metro appearance, but started it strongly and looms as a long-term option to the midfield-forward rotation. He still has plenty of work to do on polishing his skills.

While Anderson was no certainty to slide all the way through the National Draft, Hawthorn had already filled up two Category B rookie spots with the signings of Matt Hill and Jaime Uhr-Henry. The Hawks also re-listed 229-game club great Jack Gunston via the preseason draft.