AFL 25: Chris Cavanagh names his Hawthorn team of the century so far

The Hawks had fallen off a cliff by 2004. 20 years later, they’re considered one of the most dominant clubs of the millennium. Chris Cavanagh picks out their best team this century.

It was a rollercoaster ride for Hawthorn fans either side of the turn of the century.

The club came close to merging with Melbourne at the end of 1996, only to climb off the canvas and lose a preliminary final to Essendon by just nine points in 2001.

By 2004, the Hawks had fallen off a cliff again.

Coach Peter Schwab filed his resignation 17 rounds into a campaign that ultimately produced just four wins – the club’s fewest since 1965.

Then came the appointment of an untried coach named Alastair Clarkson, who would go on to lead a truly golden era at Waverley Park.

Hawthorn is one of three clubs – alongside Geelong and Brisbane Lions – to have won four premierships since 2000.

But when it came to the list build, Clarkson and the Hawks went about things a little differently to other teams.

The usual method of building a list is through the draft and Hawthorn certainly landed some high-quality players with high picks.

Three-time premiership captain Luke Hodge was a No. 1 pick in 2001, while Jarryd Roughead, Lance Franklin and Jordan Lewis were all top-10 selections in 2004.

But the Hawks also recycled talent better than anyone.

The 2004 draft created a golden age at the Hawks.

Western Bulldogs defender Brian Lake was secured cheaply on a cut-price deal and went on to win three premierships at Hawthorn, claiming a Norm Smith Medal in the first of those in 2013.

Shaun Burgoyne was days away from turning 27 and had a dodgy knee when he was secured in a trade from Port Adelaide at the end of 2009 but went on to play 250 games and feature in three premierships for the brown and gold.

Brent Guerra was a 23-year-old who had already played for two clubs and had recently been delisted by St Kilda when he was secured in the 2005 pre-season draft, before playing 159 games for the Hawks including two premierships.

The list goes on, with Josh Gibson, Jack Gunston, Ben McEvoy and David Hale being among other premiership heroes to start their AFL careers elsewhere.

Shane Crawford, Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell are all esteemed members of Hawthorn’s Hall of Fame.

Between them, the trio won nine premierships, earned All-Australian honours on 10 occasions, won 11 club best and fairest awards and served 15 years as club captains.

Three-time premiership players unlucky to miss this side include Paul Puopolo, Liam Shiels and Brad Hill.

Originally published as AFL 25: Chris Cavanagh names his Hawthorn team of the century so far