Key stats:

Hit-outs per game: 28.2

Hit-outs to advantage: 8.7

Disposals per game: 8.1

Clearances per game: 2.4 

Season summary:

The 210cm ruckman strung together his most consistent campaign in 2023, making 21 senior appearances - the most from his five seasons in the brown and gold. After working under the watchful eye of former captain Ben McEvoy in recent seasons, Reeves took over as Hawthorn’s No. 1 ruck this year. He averaged a career-high 28.2 hit-outs a game, including 8.7 per game to advantage. The 24-year-old signed on for another three years earlier this year, after showing some great improvement.

Best AFL game:

Reeves' best game for the season came in Round 22 against the Western Bulldogs, collecting a career high 43 hit-outs, while also laying seven tackles.

What the coaches said:

“Ned played 21 games this year which is really encouraging. He had a really good summer where he increased his fitness and running capacity. Towards the back end of the year, he played against some really good opponents, and he was able to hold his own. He should take great confidence out of that. He gave our midfielders first use most of the year, especially at centre bounces, which is really important. He’ll look to have another really good summer to improve that running base that he worked on last year. We’d like him to get a bit more aerial impact into his game, and kicking goals as another progression for him as a player. But I think his improvement for a young ruck was really good this year.”