Blake Hardwick Biography

Tom Mitchell makes it a three-peat of Peter Crimmins Medals, capping a prolific 2021 season with his third Hawks best and fairest award.

Mitchell added to his collection of 2017 and 2018 victories following a season in which he averaged 34.3 disposals per game, comfortably claiming the honour ahead of reliable defender Blake Hardwick and star midfielder Jaeger O'Meara.

Blake Hardwick looks set to miss several weeks after suffering an injury to a muscle in his chest.

Blake Hardwick signs a two-year contract extension to remain at Hawthorn until the end of 2021.

"Blake has become an integral part of our defensive unit and, at 21 years old, we believe he could be a future leader of our club," Hawks football manager Graham Wright said.

"His development over the last 12-18 months has been commendable, so we can’t wait to see what more he can produce in the brown and gold."

Tom Mitchell caps his Brownlow Medal-winning 2018 season with a second straight Peter Crimmins Medal as Hawthorn's club champion.

Mitchell polled 163 votes to finish well ahead of runner-up Blake Hardwick (127) and Isaac Smith (125)

"To receive an award that's voted on by your coaches – not only on the way you perform, but the values we hold as a club – is pretty special," Mitchell said.

"I think just to receive the Peter Crimmins award, with obviously such a great heritage and history that the Crimmins family has at our club, is a great feeling."

Blake Hardwick signs a new two-year deal with Hawthorn that will keep him at the club until the end of 2019.

"It's been really exciting to see the development of our back six this season and Blake’s been a big part of that," Hawthorn recruiting and list manager Graham Wright said.

"He's shown great composure in big moments and has a really strong character and we’re excited to see what he can achieve over the next few years."

Blake Hardwick is named the round 15 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.

Hardwick's kicking efficiency of 87.1 per cent from his 11 games in 2017 is ranked No.1 in the competition out of the top 300 players for total kicks.

In the past two weeks, Hardwick has kept prolific goalkickers Eddie Betts and Jamie Elliot to just one goal each.

"It's good to get some experience on those types of players; they keep you on your toes and take you to the ball, so it makes it a bit easier," Hardwick said.

Blake Hardwick makes his AFL debut for Hawthorn with 8 disposals (5 kicks and 3 handballs), a mark and 3 tackles in a 19-point win over Carlton.

Hawthorn select Blake Hardwick with pick No.44 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.

"He kicked one bag of 12 and another of 10 this year. Can play as a traditional forward or a high half-forward, and we think he could play next year," Hawthorn recruiting manager Graham Wright said.