Reflections on 2023
Key dates and a special 'save the date' as we put a bow on 2023
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As 2023 comes to a close we just wanted to wish our 2131 strong HI subscribers a Merry Xmas, happy holidays and a safe New Year!
We’re coming up to TWO YEARS (!) since we started Hawks Insiders, and it’s been incredible watching this community grow and also connecting with you at open trainings, club functions and on match day.
Special thanks to our 27 new paid subscribers — including our growing community overseas — who have taken advantage of our Christmas special and joined us this week. We’ll be ramping up our members’ content in 2024, so this really is the best way to unlock the full HI experience.
We’ll be taking a short break over the summer, but keep your eyes peeled on the Substack for some occasional musings from the team.
2023 reflections
While we finished 16th with a 7-16 record, the HI team (yes, even Brad!) are in unanimous agreement that 2023 was a step in the right direction.
We saw why Hawthorn traded up to nab Josh Weddle in the draft; Cam Mackenzie’s silky skills; Seamus Mitchell’s Lazarus-like rise to establish himself in our best 22; our midfield contigent of Day, Newcombe, Nash and Worpel playing consistently good footy together; James Sicily finally getting an All-Australian blazer; Luke Breust doing Luke Breust things; and another year of solid progress from our 2022 draftees Connor Macdonald and Josh Ward.
Wins against Grand Finalists Collingwood and Brisbane showed we can beat anyone when we’re on our game, while our 116-point thumping of West Coast and doing the double on North (#sorrynotsorry Clarko) showed the huge chasm between Hawthorn and the comp’s other rebuilding teams.
A highlight of the season was our coverage of the Peter Crimmins Medal red carpet, bringing you live interviews with Josh Ward, Sam Frost and eventual PCM winner Will Day. It was pretty special watching Day win his first ever PCM. Can he take his game to another level and become an All-Australian in 2024? If what we’ve seen at training is any indication, he’s going to make a very strong case.
We’re not sure what 2024 is going to hold, but from what we’ve seen on the track, it’s certainly going to be another fun (albeit unpredictable) year watching these developing young Hawks. A forward line alone of Chol, Watson and Ginnivan is going to be fun to watch to say the least.
Spaces back in late Jan
We’ll be back on deck (and on X) on the first Wednesday after the Australian Open Men’s Tennis final concludes. That’s Wednesday, January 31, for those who couldn’t care less about spoiled brats slamming their rackets into the turf until 2am. Ensure you’re following us on Twitter/X to stay across any updates.
Save the date
As announced on our Spaces earlier this week, we’ll be hosting our first LIVE PANEL SHOW at a famous pub in Hawthorn on Wednesday, March 13. It promises to be a wonderful night with the HI community and big name guests - so get it in your diary now!
Top articles of 2023
These were our most read articles of 2023. They also double as the perfect summer reading list!
Christmas special ends this weekend
On the off chance you’ve missed the 17 other stories about it, we’re offering you the chance to upgrade to a full membership for just $25 for the next year. That’s 50% off for an annual subscription.
Can’t find the perfect gift for the Hawks nuffie in your life? Why not save yourself a trip to Westfield and give the gift of a Hawks Insiders subscription. The ultimate virtual stocking stuffer if we do say so ourselves.
Have a safe happy and healthy New Year from the HI team! See you in 2024.
Andrew, Danny, Ashley, Darren, Brad and Simon 💛
Hi team,
Subscribing to Hawks Insiders was the best move I made -I can't get enough of Hawthorn and I am absolutely a hawthorn diehard! Born and bred in the Geelong area, everyone expected me to joint cats but when I was old enough to understand, I decided to barrack for the team on the bottom of the table and that was Hawthorn. Sometimes you make the wise decisions in life!!
Hawk Insiders just gives me that extra connection to the inner sanctum of the club with information that the media don't cover. I love your work, banter and look forward to every episode. Go Hawks!!!
To the HI team, as a die-hard Hawks supporter who lives in Western Australia, joining HI has been a godsend. Can't thank you all enough for the updates, news and insights and for providing a forum for exchanging ideas. When you get a chance, would you mind letting us know how we subscribe to HI for 2024? Cheers, and thanks again, Stu McKenzie