Key stats:

AFL games: 23

Disposals per game: 20.3

Disposal efficiency per game: 80.5%

Marks per game: 6.4

Rebound 50s per game: 5.5

Season summary:

One of the most reliable players on Hawks list, Hardwick was again an important part of the brown and gold back six in 2023. While his influence may go underrated across the broader football world, the 26-year-old is valued enormously within the four walls of Hawthorn. The medium defender played every game this season and was effective when he had the ball, going at 80.5 per cent for his disposal efficiency per game. Often dubbed 'Mr Reliable', Hardwick has shutdown several key opposition players this year, and once again finished in the top ten of the Peter Crimmins Medal in 2023.

Best AFL game:

Hardwick produced a mammoth performance in Round 15 against Gold Coast, finishing with a career-high 38 disposals and eight marks. 

What the coaches said:

“Dimma had another really consistent year, he played every game and regularly had jobs on the best medium to small forwards and rarely lost a contest. Dimma’s biggest strength is that he makes everyone else around him a better player. He is so good in the contest, great with his voice and setting everyone else up.” - Kade Simpson