HAWTHORN has essentially ‘opted out’ of the 2025 AFLW Draft in order to load up picks in the stronger 2026 group. The Hawks brought in a future first, two future seconds, a future third and a future fourth, while retaining most of their picks for the future. In 2025, Hawthorn added two experienced players to fill some needs, but also lost a couple of talented players coming off another semi-final exit.

>> FREE: View the 2025 AFLW Draft Guide

2025 RECORD: 4th (H&A) | 9-3 | 104.2% | Eliminated: Semi-Finals
2025 PICKS: 51, 67, 69
FUTURE PICKS: ’26 R1 (Sydney), ’26 R1 (Hawthorn), ’26 R2 (GWS), ’26 R2 (Hawthorn), ’26 R2 (Brisbane), ’26 R3 (GWS), ’26 R3 (Hawthorn), ’26 R4 (St Kilda)

LIST CHANGES:

IN
Jac Dupuy (trade, Gold Coast), Niamh Martin (trade, North Melbourne)

OUT
Rebecca Clottey (delisted), Nat Exon (delisted), Kristy Stratton (delisted), Sophie Butterworth (trade, St Kilda), Tilly Lucas-Rodd (trade, Greater Western Sydney)

Hawthorn was disappointed to lose developing key forward Sophie Butterworth to St Kilda, but picked up a readymade replacement in Jacqui Dupuy, while adding more Irish spark to the front half with North Melbourne’s Niamh Martin who sat out the year to study back at home. The biggest name gone from the Hawks list was inaugural skipper Tilly Lucas-Rodd who found her way to a fourth club, this time the GWS Giants. While trading involved getting rid of their 2025 picks, the Hawks enter the draft with a trio of late selections.

FIRST PICK:
Pick 51

Needing a dart board and a whole heap of luck to try and predict this selection, the Hawks will be chilling as some teams start and finish before coming onto the board. In the past, Hawthorn has opted for high-upside players and with that kind of selection, it will likely be the case again.

The Hawks have plenty of defenders in that range who might be available with the link to the Eastern Ranges always strong so Bree Horne is one such player who might be in the mix, as could be Western Jets athletic tall Alex McBride-Loane. Out west, Maya Louvel-Finn could slot in very nicely if still on the board, while athletic running Sturt defender Sophie Thredgold is another name to add to the list.

From a forward’s perspective, Zoe Vozzo might be a front-runner available with the brown and gold given her smarts around the big sticks, with teammate Zoe Wilkinson another option as well. It is near impossible to try and work out what will be at the Hawks’ selection given how far down the road it is.

REMAINING CROP:
Picks 67, 69

If guessing the first pick was difficult, then the rest of the draft selections is beyond impossible. These picks will likely slide up to closer to the first pick with a number of passes, and the Hawks could well end up taking two picks and passing the third.

All the names above could very well be in the mix for this selection as well, throwing in others such as Central District’s Mikaylah Antony and Bendigo Pioneers’ Ella Jeffrey, while if Zara Neuwirth was somehow there, then the Hawks would surely swoop. A bid on Suns Academy member Rhianna Ingram could be on the cards at one of the selections if still on the board too.

From a mature-age perspective, Box Hill tall Matilda Van Berkel had a breakout year and should be considered, as could teammate Stasia Stevenson who is definitely in the mix as an over-ager. Continually linked to the Hawks, Port Adelaide train-on Tiffany King is a readymade lockdown key defender who has starred at SANFLW level for many years.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Will the Hawks continue their recent draft trend of high-upside players?
– Do Hawthorn pick up a mature-ager to strengthen its depth?
– Will the Hawks address needs or go best available at their late first pick?