Probably the hardest job in footy is picking the best 10 Hawthorn players from the past decade. Well, I gave it a crack!
Hawthorn played in four grand finals from 2012-2015, winning three of them, and made finals in every year apart from 2017 and 2019.
The Hawks have had many ups over the past 10 years and these 10 men have stood out from the rest.
Cyril Rioli
Probably one of the most exciting players to ever grace an AFL field, Cyril Rioli was. Freakish and spectacular are just two words that come to mind when you think of number 33 for Hawthorn.
As many have said before, Cyril was the type of player where he didnโt need to have 20+ disposals to have a significant impact on the game. His forward 50 tackling pressure was second-to-none and his outrageous goals will never be forgotten!
Even Hawthorn great Dermott Brereton compiled a 30-minute show dedicated to Rioli's highlights (if you havenโt watched it I highly recommend you do).
Rioliโs willingness to never give up after persistent hamstring issues saw him miss a big chunk of footy in the 2013 and 2014 seasons and was admired by many at the time.
Four flags, one Norm Smith, a three-time All-Australian (2012, 2015 and 2016) and one of the best highlight reels of all time it is only fitting that Rioli comes in at number six on this star-studded list.
Franklin was there from 2004, debut in 2005, your article is wrong.
He’s referring to the years he played in this decade.
Title of the article is Top 10 of players of last decade, not from when they started. Maybe read before commenting.