Hawthorn has selected forward/midfielder Kristy Stratton with Pick 18 in the AFLW Season Eight supplementary draft.

Stratton arrives at the Hawks from Box Hill - the same club which saw 17 players get drafted to the AFLW last season.

Her journey in the brown and gold began in 2017 where her dominance with Box Hill led to her being the program’s first AFLW draftee, being picked up by Collingwood in 2017.

The 28-year-old would go on to play 11 games for the Magpies across four seasons before being delisted in 2021.

The 165cm forward/midfielder then made an immediate return to the brown and gold at VFLW level, averaging 16.2 disposals and 7.1 tackles.

In 2022, Stratton took her game to the next level, finishing the season as Hawthorn’s leading VFLW goalkicker and coming second in the club’s best and fairest count.

Hawthorn AFLW List Manager Mitchell Cashion was delighted to reward Stratton with a second chance at the top level.

“We’re excited to have Kristy join Hawthorn after a few solid seasons in the VFLW,” Cashion said.

“Kristy has been working incredibly hard to return to the elite level and it’s been fantastic to see her progress her game with the Hawks and under the leadership of Cherie O’Neill.

“We expect her to slot into our program seamlessly thanks to her previous experience at AFLW level as well as her stint as a train-on player with us last season.”