Josh Ward, Josh Battle, Will Day, Luke Breust, Jack Gunston, Calsher Dear, and Jai Newcombe have been recognised among the club awards at Hawthorn’s 2025 Peter Crimmins Medal count.
Josh Ward was named the Hawks Most Improved Player, following an impressive 2025 campaign.
The 22-year-old played 25 of a possible 26 games, after being called up for Round 1 and never looking back. Ward established himself as a key cog to the Hawks midfield, averaging 20.6 disposals, 3.6 tackles, 3.3 clearances and 3.2 marks per game. He recorded 20-plus disposals on 16 occasions.
Among Ward’s best outings came in Round 13 against the Bulldogs where he finished with 28 disposals, five tackles and four clearances. He also dominated in a near career-best performance against the Crows in the Semi Final, collecting a team-high 31 disposals, nine score involvements and five clearances.
In his first season in brown and gold, Josh Battle was instrumental to the Hawks’ backline, claiming the Hawks’ Most Courageous Award.
The 27-year-old appeared in every game for the Hawks this season, averaging 18.5 disposals, 11.4 kicks and 7.1 handballs, which were all ranked elite for his position.
His outstanding debut season with the Hawks also saw him earn his maiden selection in the All Australian team.
His best game by the numbers came in Round 8 against Richmond, where he finished with a game-high and career-best 33 disposals and 20 kicks, as well as a game-high 12 marks and 10 intercept possessions.
The universally-loved Will Day took out the Best Clubman award for his efforts on and off the field during an injury-interrupted individual season.
The classy midfielder played just six games in 2025, kicking off his season in strong fashion with three goals and 26 disposals against Sydney in Opening Round, followed by repeat impressive showings through to Round 4.
The 24-year-old unfortunately suffered a stress fracture in his foot, which saw him sidelined for four months from Round 4 to Round 20, before making a brief return in Round 21 and suffering another injury to end his campaign.
While working through his rehab, the 24-year-old continued to develop his leadership and learning from the sideline, assisting the team and the midfield group, more specifically, in a coaching capacity from the bench each game.
Retiring three-time premiership Hawk Luke Breust was recognised as the recipient of the Hawks Community Leadership Award, supported by the MacKenzie family.
Breust has been an advocate behind the Hawthorn Inclusion Project and the “AUSLAN at the Footy” education guide, fostering understanding and accessibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
His long-standing friendship with Henry, a young visually impaired fan, with whom Breust shares a genuine long-term connection, illustrates his ability to make individuals feel valued. His commitment reaches beyond the club, through his involvement with the “Be My Eyes” app, for three years, he’s volunteered to provide sighted assistance to people around the world. As well as being a steadfast ambassador for Brainwave, supporting families affected by brain injury. This year, he further contributed by volunteering at the Variety Bike Build Birthday Bash, building bikes for kids in need.
Breust’s sustained engagement, paired with his role as a mentor and connector, positions him as a pillar of community-focused leadership, with unwavering empathy and commitment to those living with a disability.
Veteran forward Jack Gunston had an outstanding 2025 campaign, recognised with the coveted Lethal Award, as voted by his teammates.
In his 16th season at the top level, the 33-year-old played 23 games, finishing with a career-high goal tally of 73. Leading by example, Gunston’s experience, class and mentorship was evident on and off the field.
Such was Gunston’s extraordinary season, he earned his second All Australian selection in 2025, seven years following his first.
Along with booting his 500th career goal against Richmond in Round 8, Gunston set a new career-high of seven goals on two occasions, in Round 16 against North Melbourne and Round 23 against the Demons.
Despite an injury-interrupted 2025 campaign, Calsher Dear was named as the team’s Most Promising player.
Playing nine games at the top level this season, the 20-year-old showed further glimpses of his exciting future and lofty potential as the most promising.
From those nine games, the young forward booted 10 goals, averaging one per game, 7.3 disposals, 2.3 marks and 1.8 tackles.
His best game of 2025 came in Round 18 against Fremantle, with an equal game-high and equal career-high three goals, three marks,
Finally, Jai Newcombe claimed the Hawks’ Best in Finals award for a second consecutive year.
Newcombe took control of the Hawks finals series from the midfield, saving his best football for the business end of the year. The 24-year-old averaged 26.6 disposals, 8.3 clearances, and 6.6 score involvements, with two important goals of his own across the Hawks three games.
His performances across the 2025 finals series were widely celebrated by those in brown and gold, but also more broadly, finishing third in the Gary Ayres Award, despite playing one less game than the top two.
Hawthorn’s 2025 Club Award Winners
Most Improved – Josh Ward
Most Courageous – Josh Battle
Best Clubman – Will Day
Community Leadership Award – Luke Breust
Lethal Award – Jack Gunston
Most Promising – Calsher Dear
Best Finals Player – Jai Newcombe