Mid-Year Review: Most Improved
In the next of our mid-season check-ins, we nominate the biggest improver at the Hawks in 2023.
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During the mid-season bye period, the Hawks Insiders put their collective heads together to review the season so far. Everything from best first year player, most improved, who’s leading the PCM and what we’d like to see in the back half of the season.
Today the Insiders look at the most improved player on Hawthorn’s list over the course of the 2023 season. It is a hotly contested field, but most of our Insiders believe the honour sits with one particular Hawk.
Danny Prins
There are a few options here, Seamus Mitchell has come from the clouds to prove he is more than capable of playing at AFL level, James Worpel has returned to his 2019 form after a couple of very rough years, Will Day has gone from promising young player to best and highest ceiling midfielder in the team.
But above all, the most improved player is Conor Nash. Nash has gone from bit part player at Box Hill to legitimate midfielder and run with player at Hawthorn in less than a season. His 2023 season has been nothing short of amazing, averaging 23.5 disposals, 3.8 clearances, 5.5 tackles and 16.5 pressure acts. He has added size, physicality and defensive pressure to a midfield unit that struggled with all three areas in 2022.
Brad Klibansky
It is Conor Nash. Not in our wildest dreams could we have seen what the Irishman has delivered in season 2023. Nash has become arguably our most important midfielder and been one of our best players all season. Since round 5, Nash has averaged close to 27 touches a game and six tackles. His running capacity for his size (197cm) has made him a nightmare match-up for opposition players. While it feels like Nash has been around for years, he is still only 24 and has only played 63 games. It’s scary to think how good he can become after another 30 games. I need to apologise to Nashy for not believing in him. I thought he would have been delisted two years ago. I am glad I was wrong!!
Simon Morawetz
James Worpel. It’s not his best season – he is a Peter Crimmins Medalist, after all – but he is clearly the most improved on recent years. He brings aggression to our midfield and always looks to get the ball moving forward. The stats reflect that: only a handful of players across the league can match his clearances, inside 50s, and tackles. No doubt there is a correlation between his improvement and the departure of Tom Mitchell. This alone justifies that decision.
Ashley Browne
Will Day, Jarman Impey, Seamus Mitchell and Tyler Brockman have claims here but Conor Nash surely gets the nod. The move to the midfield on a full-time basis (after being teased last season) has been inspired and the numbers tell why - 23.4 touches a game compared to 15.5 last season. 5.2 tackles compared to 4.1. 4.2 clearances compared to 2.9. Two more contested possessions per game. We have gone from, “What are we going to do with Conor?” to “Where is the long-term deal?” We thought he was just a placeholder until Cooper Stephens was thought to be ready but the former Cat cannot get a look in.
Andrew Weiss
So many players have seen significant, incredible improvement already through the first half of 2023 that is seems unfair to focus on only one. However, in the interests of this article and picking the most improved, there can be only one. Conor Nash. I have been watching him closely this year - and I think that is mainly in part because I just can’t take my eyes off him. Provides a unique element in our midfield unit that is purring, and his no frills, hard nosed approach makes him a player everyone loves to play with (as Will Day told us in the first of his season check-ins). Nash is a beast, a tackling machine that is not scared to put his body on the line. He has been able to find plenty of the ball while keeping an oppo gun quiet, and his disposal efficiency has also improved - relative to the the huge increase in ball he is winning. No longer a bit part player - Nash is integral to the midfield dynamic moving forward.
You’ve heard our opinions but it’s time to have your say, tell us who you think is the Hawks most improved player and why?
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The great thing about this subject is that we have so many legitimate contenders. Will Day has gone form being a useful half back averaging 16 disposals to being an excellent midfielder averaging 26, Brocky is emerging as a long-term high quality small forward who didn't play at all in 2022, Jarman is a real prospect of being named in the All Australian squad as a half back after 2022 when he was borderline best 22, Worp's numbers in 2023 are off the charts compared to last year and Newc has elevated his game further. As the HI boys say though, it's impossible to go past Nashy. His improvement says a lot about Sam, firstly for recognising his potential in that role, and then actually developing him into the player we see today. Good to see Will McCabe play pretty well yesterday too.
Connor has done one thing every year he has been at Hawthorn. Improve. I he continues on the same trajectory who knows what the end point is.