Fantasy: 2021 Hawthorn Targets

With the 2021 H&A season beginning on March 18 @aflratingsPete provides a fantasy outlook for Hawthorn.

Each team will be previewed over the pre-season, stay tuned on @aflratings_FS for all fantasy news & updates for the 2021 season.

Fantasy podcast: @PlusSixPodcast

Coaching Tendencies/Game Style

The 2020 season was one to forget for the Hawks finishing with just 5 wins & 15th place on the H&A season ladder, only 2 players completed a full 17 games (Tom Mitchell & Chad Wingard) which underlines an injury impacted season.

Hawthorn were not a disposal heavy team in 2020, they ranked 13th averaging 288.2 per game, the Hawks again were not a high contested possession team averaging -12.5 in Contested Possession Differential for the season (Rank 18).

The Hawks have not relied heavily on the draft over the last decade or so, but they do have a couple of gems floating about from recent drafts.

Will Day (Pick 13 – 2019 AFL Draft) was outstanding last season & certainly has genuine upside potential while key defender Denver Grainger-Barras is likely to see playing time in 2021 after being selected at pick 6 in the 2020 AFL Draft, the Hawks will also likely provide more playing time for Finn Maginness in 2021.

While the Hawks re-adjust their playing list in an attempt to become a legitimate premiership contender again expect senior coach Alastair Clarkson to continue to experiment looking to gain an edge over the competition, some moves historically have impacted players from a fantasy perspective in recent years.

Article by @aflratingsPete

Fantasy: 2021 Sydney Targets

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2021 Targets

Tom Mitchell MID

Mitchell came into the 2020 season having missed 12 months with a broken leg, his return in Round 1 last season delivered a solid 82pts. However, as the AFL was on an extended break due to Covid-19 Mitchell injured his shoulder, when the AFL did return he averaged just 71.8pts between Rounds 2-5.

The finish to the season was clearly noteworthy, the 4 games between Rounds 6-9 Mitchell averaged 88.3pts & post Bye he increased that average to 92.9pts from his final 8 games of the season.

Mitchell underwent shoulder surgery in early October with an expected 3-4 month rehabilitation period, tracking his fitness & availability throughout the 2021 pre-season is a must if considering starting him at Round 1.

Injury Update: Tom Mitchell

Mitchell does represent value based on his previous scoring history, completing most of his 2021 pre-season campaign uninterrupted is a must.

Will Day DEF

Selected at pick 13 in the 2019 AFL Draft Draft Will Day made his debut in Round 6, he averaged 15.6 Disposals, 4.4 Marks & 1.4 Tackles from 11 games in his first season.

Day played mostly across half-back at the Hawks, his exceptional ball use was a highlight that will be well utilised by the Hawks coming out of defence & on a wing in 2021.

The salary for Day is not cheap to begin the 2021 H&A season, as a result his ownership will likely be low at Round 1.

Day should be set for heavy usage across half-back for the Hawks with a view to push him further up the ground at certain times, there is genuine upside potential from his 2020 output.

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Finn Maginness MID

Just the 1 game for Maginness in 2020, he recorded 10 Disposals & 5 Tackles for 39pts, as a result his salary will be low enough at Round 1 to throw him in the mix for a roster position.

Maginness was a standout in his junior career, he averaged 18.2 Disposals & 7.5 Tackles in the 2019 U18 Championships. A role through the midfield will further enhance his value in the 2021 season, his development through the 2020 season should have him close to being ready for a bigger role this season.

It’s well worth placing Maginness on your pre-season watch list, appearances in pre-season game/s will likely be a must for an indication on his Round 1 status.

*2020 AFL season: 16 Min Qtrs