Hawthorn has been the exciting upstart of the 2024 AFLW season. Surging up the ladder, playing a fun style of footy under a new coach, and the clear threat to established trio Brisbane, North Melbourne, and Adelaide.

Under the watchful eye of Daniel Webster, Hawthorn's playing list has been reinvigorated. The style of play that he has engaged has drawn the best out of his players, as they play with a clearer, more reliable method.

Most evident has been an increased ability to score, with the side's 58.4 points per game second in the league for average points for after eight games.

The Hawthorn Brand

Hard-running, high scoring, and difficult to defend. These are the three key things that Hawthorn's newly established brand can be boiled down to.

This has been made possible by increasing fitness levels, careful positional changes, and some added talent.

There is a clear desire to remain strong at the contest, but more importantly, efficiently exit congestion and get the ball into the hands of its elite outside runners. 

At stoppage the midfield engages quick handballs around the contest to find a neat release option, from which the side's clean disposals and desire for uncontested possession allows it to move with speed into attack.

Another important aspect of the style has been quick transition from defending the opposition's possession, to intercepting and generating attack on the rebound.

The numbers also back up such a shift, with the Hawks leading the competition for points scored from the front half, points scored from kick ins, and points scored from intercepts.

Efficiency is key

Historically, the Hawks have been the poorest ball users in the AFLW since joining the league in 2022 (S7), going at 53.9 per cent in their debut season, and 57.3 per cent last year.

That has all changed in 2024, with Hawthorn using the ball at 63.3 per cent efficiency – the third-best across the competition. An increased capability to maintain possession and reliably achieve chains of possession down the ground is an important part of that intercept-to-scoring strategy.

Trusting in the method, but also that teammates have the skill and composure to hit those targets, has been a monumental change for the Hawks this year.

The ability to get the ball forward has been a clear beneficiary of this improved ball use, as has their growing shots on goal once inside the attacking 50 arc.

Importantly, it hasn't been off the back of just one or two players' improving ball use. In fact, 12 existing Hawks have enhanced their disposal efficiency by four or more per cent since last season, with defender Jenna Richardson and forward Aileen Gilroy the biggest improvers, gaining 13.9 per cent and 13.1 per cent respectively.

The balance between contested and uncontested possession has also tipped toward the latter for the first time in the club's history. This season, 52.4 per cent of Hawthorn's possession has been uncontested, further contributing to that improved method with ball in hand.

Emily Bates' personal numbers have shifted to reflect the wider team's evolution, with the 2022 (S6) AFLW best and fairest winner averaging more uncontested possessions than she ever has, despite a marginal drop in her overall disposal numbers.

This can be partially attributed to the addition of Melbourne premiership player Eliza West at the contest, with her in-and-under strength reliable enough to release Bates to more of an outside role, allowing the Hawks to benefit from her silky skills.

Getting the best out of the list

Adding West, alongside her fellow premiership player Casey Sherriff was a coup for the club in the off season, as was the recruitment of Laura Stone, Jess Vukic, Hayley McLaughlin, Mikayla Williamson, and Sophie Butterworth has all contributed to the Hawks' improvement.