# 2015 Hawthorn Football Club season

The 2015 season was the Hawthorn Football Club's 91st season in the Australian Football League and 114th overall. Hawthorn entered the season as the two-time defending AFL premiers, having won back-to-back AFL premierships. Hawthorn won their third consecutive AFL premiership, fifth AFL premiership, and thirteenth premiership overall, defeating West Coast 107–61 in the Grand Final. Hawthorn became the first team to win five premierships in the AFL era. Hawthorn became just the second team in the AFL era to win three-consecutive premierships; joining the Brisbane Lions (2001–2003); and the sixth team in VFL/AFL history to win three consecutive premierships; joining Carlton (1906–1908), Collingwood (1927–1930), and Melbourne (twice; 1939–1941, 1955–1957). Alastair Clarkson won his fourth premiership as coach, tying with Leigh Matthews for most premierships won in the AFL era. Clarkson also surpassed John Kennedy Sr. and Allan Jeans (3) for most premierships won as coach of Hawthorn. Luke Hodge joined Michael Voss as the only players to captain three premierships in the AFL era. Grant Birchall, Shaun Burgoyne, Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Cyril Rioli, and Jarryd Roughead all won their fourth premierships, tying with Martin Pike for the most in the AFL era. Shaun Burgoyne played in his sixth AFL Grand Final, tying with Martin Pike for the most appearances in the AFL era.

## Club summary

The 2015 AFL season was the 119th season of the VFL/AFL competition since its inception in 1897; having entered the competition in 1925, it was the 91st season contested by the Hawthorn Football Club. The Melbourne Cricket Ground once again acted as Hawthorn's primary home ground, hosting six of the club's eleven home games, with four games played at their secondary home ground, Aurora Stadium in Launceston, and one played at Etihad Stadium in Round 21. The four matches at Aurora Stadium were against the Western Bulldogs, Gold Coast Suns, Fremantle and the Brisbane Lions in rounds 3, 9, 15 and 22 respectively, while the one home game at Etihad Stadium was against Port Adelaide in Round 21. The club played Geelong, Essendon, Port Adelaide, Sydney and Carlton twice during the regular season, and travelled interstate five times (twice each to Sydney and Adelaide, and once to Perth).
Major sponsors Tasmania and iiNet continued as the club's two major sponsors, while Adidas continued to manufacture the club's on-and-off field apparel.

## Senior Personnel

Alastair Clarkson continued as the club's head coach for the eleventh consecutive season, while Luke Hodge continued as the club's captain for the fifth consecutive season. Both have held their respective positions since 2005 and 2011, respectively.

## Playing list changes

During the 2014 off-season, the Hawks acquired the services of Melbourne's James Frawley via the free agency system, as well as those of Greater Western Sydney's Jonathan O'Rourke during the trade period. 200-gamer Brad Sewell announced his retirement shortly after the end of the club's 2014 season, in which the club won their 12th premiership but for which he was overlooked. In addition, Mitch Hallahan, Kyle Cheney and Luke Lowden were all traded away from the club, while Jordan Kelly, Derick Wanganeen and Ben Ross were all delisted.
The following lists all player changes between the conclusion of the 2014 season and the beginning of the 2015 season.

### Trades

| 9 October 2014 | To HawthornJonathan O'Rourke Pick 43, 2014 AFL draft | To Greater Western SydneyPick 19, 2014 AFL draft Pick 40, 2014 AFL draft |
| 16 October 2014 | To HawthornPick 47, 2014 AFL draft Pick 49, 2014 AFL draft | To Gold CoastMitch Hallahan |
| 16 October 2014 | To HawthornPick 31, 2014 AFL draft Pick 50, 2014 AFL draft Pick 68, 2014 AFL draft | To AdelaideKyle Cheney Luke Lowden Pick 43, 2014 AFL draft Pick 47, 2014 AFL draft Pick 59, 2014 AFL draft |

### Free Agency
#### Additions

| Date | Player | Tag | 2014 team | Deal | Compensation | Ref |
| 6 October 2014 | James Frawley | UFA | Melbourne | Signed 4-year, $2.2 million deal | 1st round pick, 2014 AFL draft | |

### Draft
#### AFL draft

| Round | Overall pick | Player | Recruited from |
| 2 | 31 | Daniel Howe | Murray Bushrangers |
| 3 | 49 | Teia Miles | Geelong Falcons |
| 3 | 50 | Marc Pittonet | Oakleigh Chargers |

#### Rookie draft

| Round | Overall pick | Player | Recruited from |
| 1 | 18 | Jared Hardisty | Claremont |
| 2 | 36 | Jermaine Miller-Lewis | South Fremantle |
| 3 | 53 | Lachlan Langford | Melbourne Grammar School |
| 4 | 65 | Sam Grimley | Hawthorn |
* ↑ Grimley was originally delisted by Hawthorn on 9 October 2014 but was re-drafted as a rookie

### Retirements and delistings

| Date | Player | 2015 team | Reason |
| 25 March 2014 | Dayle Garlett | — | Delisted |
| 4 October 2014 | Brad Sewell | — | Retired |
| 9 October 2014 | Jordan Kelly | Western Bulldogs | Delisted |
| 9 October 2014 | Derick Wanganeen | — | Delisted |
| 9 October 2014 | Ben Ross | — | Delisted |

## Season summary
### Pre-season matches

The club played three practice matches as part of the 2015 NAB Challenge, and were played under modified pre-season rules, including nine-point goals.
| Rd | Date and local time | Opponent | Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) | Venue |
| Rd | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue |
| 1 | Thursday, 26 February (7:10 pm) | Collingwood | 2.8.6 (72) | 0.17.14 (116) | Lost by 44 points | Aurora Stadium (H) |
| 2 | Sunday, 8 March (4:10 pm) | North Melbourne | 2.9.13 (85) | 1.9.9 (72) | Lost by 13 points | Deakin Reserve, Shepparton (A) |
| 3 | Thursday, 19 March (7:10 pm) | St Kilda | 1.4.6 (39) | 22.13 (145) | Won by 106 points | Etihad Stadium (A) |
| Source |||||||

### Premiership Season
#### Home and away season

| Rd | Date and local time | Opponent | Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) | Venue | Record | Report |
| Rd | Date and local time | Home | Away | Result | | Venue | Record | Report |
| 1 | Monday, 6 April (3:20 pm) | Geelong | 17.21 (123) | 8.13 (61) | Won by 62 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) | 1–0 | Report |
| 2 | Sunday, 12 April (3:20 pm) | Essendon | 12.6 (78) | 11.10 (76) | Lost by 2 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) | 1–1 | Report |
| 3 | Sunday, 19 April (1:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs | 19.13 (127) | 8.9 (57) | Won by 70 points | Aurora Stadium (H) | 2–1 | Report |
| 4 | Saturday, 25 April (7:10 pm) | Port Adelaide | 15.9 (99) | 13.13 (91) | Lost by 8 points | Adelaide Oval (A) | 2–2 | Report |
| 5 | Saturday, 2 May (7:20 pm) | North Melbourne | 10.10 (70) | 19.16 (130) | Won by 60 points | Etihad Stadium (A) | 3–2 | Report |
| 6 | Saturday, 9 May (4:35 pm) | Greater Western Sydney | 16.12 (108) | 14.14 (98) | Lost by 10 points | Spotless Stadium (A) | 3–3 | Report |
| 7 | Saturday, 16 May (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | 24.11 (155) | 7.8 (50) | Won by 105 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) | 4–3 | Report |
| 8 | Saturday, 23 May (7:20 pm) | Sydney | 9.15 (69) | 11.7 (73) | Lost by 4 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) | 4–4 | Report |
| 9 | Saturday, 30 May (1:45 pm) | Gold Coast | 14.9 (93) | 6.4 (40) | Won by 53 points | Aurora Stadium (H) | 5–4 | Report |
| 10 | Sunday, 7 June (4:40 pm) | St Kilda | 10.9 (69) | 20.12 (132) | Won by 63 points | Etihad Stadium (A) | 6–4 | Report |
| 11 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 12 | Thursday, 18 June (7:20 pm) | Adelaide | 12.13 (85) | 17.12 (114) | Won by 29 points | Adelaide Oval (A) | 7–4 | Report |
| 13 | Saturday, 27 June (2:10 pm) | Essendon | 16.18 (114) | 11.10 (76) | Won by 38 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) | 8–4 | Report |
| 14 | Friday, July 3 (7:50 pm) | Collingwood | 12.19 (91) | 15.11 (101) | Won by 10 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) | 9–4 | Report |
| 15 | Sunday, 12 July (3:20 pm) | Fremantle | 17.13 (115) | 6.7 (43) | Won by 72 points | Aurora Stadium (H) | 10–4 | Report |
| 16 | Saturday, 18 July (7:20 pm) | Sydney | 7.15 (57) | 23.8 (146) | Won by 89 points | ANZ Stadium (A) | 11–4 | Report |
| 17 | Friday, 24 July (7:50 pm) | Carlton | 4.11 (35) | 27.11 (173) | Won by 138 points | Etihad Stadium (A) | 12–4 | Report |
| 18 | Friday, 31 July (7:50 pm) | Richmond | 7.11 (53) | 10.11 (71) | Lost by 18 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) | 12–5 | Report |
| 19 | Saturday, 8 August (5:40 pm) | West Coast | 11.8 (74) | 13.10 (88) | Won by 14 points | Domain Stadium (A) | 13–5 | Report |
| 20 | Saturday, 15 August (7:20 pm) | Geelong | 12.13 (85) | 19.7 (121) | Won by 36 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (A) | 14–5 | Report |
| 21 | Friday, 21 August (7:50 pm) | Port Adelaide | 13.8 (86) | 16.12 (108) | Lost by 22 points | Etihad Stadium (H) | 14–6 | Report |
| 22 | Saturday, 29 August (2:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions | 21.8 (134) | 9.8 (62) | Won by 72 points | Aurora Stadium (H) | 15–6 | Report |
| 23 | Saturday, 5 September (4:40 pm) | Carlton | 17.11 (113) | 8.8 (56) | Won by 57 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) | 16–6 | Report |
| Source |||||||||

#### Ladder

2015 AFL ladder :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | |
| 1 | Fremantle | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 1857 | 1564 | 118.7 | 68 | Finals series |
| 2 | West Coast | 22 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 2330 | 1572 | 148.2 | 66 | Finals series |
| 3 | Hawthorn (P) | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2452 | 1548 | 158.4 | 64 | Finals series |
| 4 | Sydney | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2006 | 1578 | 127.1 | 64 | Finals series |
| 5 | Richmond | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 1930 | 1568 | 123.1 | 60 | Finals series |
| 6 | Western Bulldogs | 22 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 2101 | 1825 | 115.1 | 56 | Finals series |
| 7 | Adelaide | 21 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 2107 | 1821 | 115.7 | 54 | Finals series |
| 8 | North Melbourne | 22 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 2062 | 1937 | 106.5 | 52 | Finals series |
| 9 | Port Adelaide | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2002 | 1874 | 106.8 | 48 | |
| 10 | Geelong | 21 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1853 | 1833 | 101.1 | 48 | |
| 11 | Greater Western Sydney | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 1872 | 1891 | 99.0 | 44 | |
| 12 | Collingwood | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 1972 | 1856 | 106.3 | 40 | |
| 13 | Melbourne | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1573 | 2044 | 77.0 | 28 | |
| 14 | St Kilda | 22 | 6 | 15 | 1 | 1695 | 2162 | 78.4 | 26 | |
| 15 | Essendon | 22 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 1580 | 2134 | 74.0 | 24 | |
| 16 | Gold Coast | 22 | 4 | 17 | 1 | 1633 | 2240 | 72.9 | 18 | |
| 17 | Brisbane Lions | 22 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 1557 | 2306 | 67.5 | 16 | |
| 18 | Carlton | 22 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 1525 | 2354 | 64.8 | 16 | |
* 1 2 The round 14 match between Adelaide and Geelong was cancelled due to the death of Adelaide coach Phil Walsh, and both teams were awarded two premiership points each.

#### Finals

| Rd | Date and local time | Opponent | Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) | Scores (Hawthorn's scores indicated in bold) | Venue | Report |
| Rd | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue | Report |
| Qualifying final | Friday, 11 September (6:20 pm) | West Coast | 14.12 (96) | 9.10 (64) | Lost by 32 points | Domain Stadium (A) | Report |
| Semi-final | Friday, 18 September (7:50 pm) | Adelaide | 21.9 (135) | 8.13 (61) | Won by 74 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) | Report |
| Preliminary final | Friday, 25 September (6:20 pm) | Fremantle | 10.7 (67) | 15.4 (94) | Won by 27 points | Domain Stadium (A) | Report |
| Grand Final | Saturday, 3 October (2:30 pm) | West Coast | 16.11 (107) | 8.13 (61) | Won by 46 points | Melbourne Cricket Ground (H) | Report |

## Awards, Records & Milestones
### Awards

* 2015 All-Australian team selection: Josh Gibson, Sam Mitchell, Cyril Rioli
* Norm Smith Medallist: Cyril Rioli

### Records

* Round 1: Sam Mitchell kicked Hawthorn's 170,000th point in the VFL/AFL
* Round 17: Hawthorn inflicted Carlton's heaviest AFL defeat, winning by 138 points. The Hawks' score of 27.11 (173) was also the highest score posted during the AFL season.

### Milestones

* Round 1: James Frawley – first AFL game for Hawthorn (previously with Melbourne)
* Round 2:
** James Sicily – AFL debut
** Jonathan O'Rourke – first AFL game for Hawthorn (previously with Greater Western Sydney)
* Round 3:
** Jarryd Roughead – 450th AFL goal
* Round 7:
** Grant Birchall – 200th AFL game
* Round 8:
** Ben Stratton – 100th AFL game
* Round 9:
** Luke Breust– 100th AFL game
** Daniel Howe – AFL debut
* Round 10:
** Taylor Duryea – 50th AFL game
** Alastair Clarkson – 150th win as head coach
* Round 14:
** Luke Breust – 200th AFL goal
* Round 15:
** Luke Hodge – 100th AFL game as Hawthorn captain
** Paul Puopolo – 100th AFL game
* Round 16:
** Isaac Smith – 100th AFL game
** Cyril Rioli – 200th AFL goal
* Round 17:
** Jack Gunston – 200th AFL goal
* Round 18:
** Alastair Clarkson – 250th AFL game as head coach
* Round 19:
** Cyril Rioli – 150th AFL game
* Round 21:
** Hawthorn's 1,900th game of VFL/AFL football.
* Round 22:
** Jack Gunston – 100th AFL game
* Semi Final:
** Matt Suckling – 100th AFL game
* Preliminary Final:
** Brian Lake – 250th AFL game

## Brownlow Medal
### Results

| Round | 1 vote | 2 votes | 3 votes |
| 1 | Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) | Luke Breust (Hawthorn) | Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn) |
| 2 | Dyson Heppell (Essendon) | Michael Hurley (Essendon) | Jobe Watson (Essendon) |
| 3 | Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) | Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn) | Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) |
| 4 | Isaac Smith (Hawthorn) | Alipate Carlile (Port Adelaide) | Travis Boak (Port Adelaide) |
| 5 | Jack Gunston (Hawthorn) | Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn) | Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) |
| 6 | Isaac Smith (Hawthorn) | Jeremy Cameron (Greater Western Sydney) | Callan Ward (Greater Western Sydney) |
| 7 | Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) | Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn) | Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn) |
| 8 | Luke Parker (Sydney) | Dan Hannebery (Sydney) | Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) |
| 9 | Isaac Smith (Hawthorn) | Bradley Hill (Hawthorn) | Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) |
| 10 | Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) | Jack Steven (St Kilda) | Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) |
| 11 | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 12 | Rory Sloane (Adelaide) | Liam Shiels (Hawthorn) | Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide) |
| 13 | Liam Shiels (Hawthorn) | Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) | Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn) |
| 14 | Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn) | Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) | Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) |
| 15 | Luke Breust (Hawthorn) | Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) | Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) |
| 16 | Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn) | Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) | Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) |
| 17 | Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) | Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn) | Jack Gunston (Hawthorn) |
| 18 | Ivan Maric (Richmond) | Dustin Martin (Richmond) | Anthony Miles (Richmond) |
| 19 | Andrew Gaff (West Coast) | Matt Priddis (West Coast) | Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) |
| 20 | Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) | Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) | Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) |
| 21 | Sam Gray (Port Adelaide) | Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide) | Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide) |
| 22 | Tom Rockliff (Brisbane Lions) | Liam Shiels (Hawthorn) | Jack Gunston (Hawthorn) |
| 23 | Josh Gibson (Hawthorn) | Bradley Hill (Hawthorn) | Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) |

### Brownlow Medal tally

| Player | 1 vote games | 2 vote games | 3 vote games | Total votes |
| Sam Mitchell | 4 | 2 | 6 | 26 |
| Luke Hodge | 2 | 1 | 3 | 13 |
| Jarryd Roughead | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| Jordan Lewis | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Jack Gunston | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Cyril Rioli | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| Liam Shiels | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Bradley Hill | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Luke Breust | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Isaac Smith | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Shaun Burgoyne | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Josh Gibson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 15 | 14 | 15 | 88 |
* italics denotes ineligible player

## Tribunal cases

| Player | Round | Charge category | Verdict | Result | Victim | Club |
| Luke Hodge | 5 | Striking | Guilty | Three-match suspension | Andrew Swallow | North Melbourne |
| Jordan Lewis | 5 | Striking | Guilty | Two-match suspension | Todd Goldstein | North Melbourne |
| Sam Mitchell | 8 | Striking | Guilty | $1,000 fine | Tom Mitchell | Sydney |
| Ben Stratton | 12 | Striking | Guilty | $1,000 fine | Eddie Betts | Adelaide |
| Josh Gibson | 12 | Striking | Guilty | $1,000 fine | Charlie Cameron | Adelaide |
| Sam Mitchell | 15 | Misconduct | Guilty | $1,000 fine | Nat Fyfe | Fremantle |
| Josh Gibson | 17 | Striking | Guilty | $1,500 fine | Blaine Boekhorst | Carlton |
| Brian Lake | 18 | Rough conduct | Not Guilty | Cleared at tribunal | Ty Vickery | Richmond |
| Luke Hodge | 21 | Rough conduct | Guilty | Two-match suspension | Chad Wingard | Port Adelaide |
| Jordan Lewis | 23 | Tripping | Guilty | $1,000 fine | Andrew Carrazzo | Carlton |