Key stats:

AFL games: 23

Disposals per game: 24

Clearances per game: 4.7

Tackles per game: 4.8

Season summary:

After seven seasons in the brown and gold, Nash finished in the top three of Hawthorn’s best and fairest, the Peter Crimmins Medal, for the first time in his career. Having shown glimpses of his midfield capabilities last year, the big-bodied midfielder emerged as one of the surprise packets of the 2023 season. Demonstrating an ability to win his own ball, while also holding some of the competition’s most elite opposition midfielders to account, the Irishman has become one of the Hawks most reliable players. Showing his physicality and toughness around the ball, Nash averaged 24 disposals a game in 2023, (+8.5 compared to 2022), alongside 4.8 tackles (+0.7) and 4.7 clearances (+1.7).

Best AFL game:

Nash’s stand-out performance came in Round 5 against GWS, which saw him collect 31 disposals and nine tackles, while limiting the impact of Giants star Tom Green in the second half.

How the coaches saw him:

“Nashy had a really consistent year, we saw him play to his strengths. He is a 196cm mid who we wanted to play big this year, and he did just that. He had a great impact. His physicality around the contest not just with the ball, but without the ball was really strong. He is another who really drove the leadership of that young midfield group. He played every game this year. While his impact didn’t always show in terms of possession, his hunt and tackle was really important. With another really good summer into him, he should really progress further now that he understands what he’s capable of as a midfielder.” – David Hale