In the days leading up to the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, we'll be counting down Hawthorn's top 10 draft classes from the last 30 years, with one class revealed each day...

 

The 2010 crop of draftees was one of the Hawks’ best, delivering them a trio of premiership players with Isaac Smith, Paul Puopolo and Will Langford landing at the club.

Hawthorn used their first pick in the draft, no. 19, to net speedy wingman Smith from VFL side North Ballarat.

A mature recruit at the age of 21, Smith made an immediate impact, playing 16 games in his 2011 debut season. He quickly become a permanent fixture in the Hawks midfield, and was a vital cog in the club’s three successive premierships from 2013 to 2015. Smith was added to Hawthorn's leadership group in 2016, before being elevated to vice captain in the season past.

Premiership teammate Puopolo was the fourth player taken in the draft by the Hawks, also a mature recruit at 22-years-old.

Like Smith, the 173cm Puopolo was able to make a quick start to his career with the Hawks and settled into the line-up initially as a small defender before shifting forward. He too became a key player in Hawthorn’s triple premiership sides and is set to play his 150th game in 2018.

Will Langford was the third premiership player taken in 2010, with the Hawks recruiting him through the NSW Scholarship program with the 85th pick in the rookie draft.

The son of Hawks legend Chris, Langford made his debut in 2013, before an excellent season in 2014 saw him manage 19 games and play part in the Hawks’ side that defeated Sydney in the grand final. Three seasons later, Langford's game tally is up to 66.

The rest of the 2010 draft crop were not quite as successful - pick no. 55 secured Claremont defender Angus Litherland, who was delisted at the end of 2016 after 25 games, while the Hawks’ second pick in the draft, Mitchell Hallahan, was traded to the Gold Coast after four years and six games with the club.

Rookie selections Sam Menegola (now at Geelong), Thomas Schneider, Derrick Wanganeen and Jack Mahony were all since delisted.   

Catch up: Hawthorn's draft class countdown - no.8

 

2010 NATIONAL DRAFT

PICK 19: ISAAC SMITH

PICK 38: MITCHELL HALLAHAN

PICK 55: ANGUS LITHERLAND

PICK 66: PAUL PUOPOLO

ROOKIE DRAFT

PICK 19: SAM MENEGOLA

PICK 36: THOMAS SCHNEIDER

PICK 52: DERICK WANGANEEN

PICK 85: WILL LANGFORD (NSW AFL SCHOLARSHIP)

PICK 87: JACK MAHONY (NSW AFL SCHOLARSHIP)