Hawthorn's 2026 Peter Crimmins Medal is shaping up to be a thrilling count, with several players in contention at the end of the home-and-away season. 

This year's event will be especially sentimental, given it marks 50 years since the great Peter Crimmins' passing. 

Taking place at the Crown Palladium on Saturday 3 October, it promises to be a special night and one the brown and gold faithful won't want to miss. 

CLICK HERE to secure your tickets for this year's Peter Crimmins Medal. 

Gold tickets are selling fast, while there has been a new release of centre circle and standard tickets!

(*NOTE* - this article is purely editorial and is independent to of voting process.)

Jai Newcombe 
Games: 23
Disposals per game: 26
Clearances per game: 7.6 

Elevated to co-captaincy this year, Jai Newcombe took his game to another level. Along with ranking above average in his position for disposals per game (26), the 25-year-old also led the league in both total (174) and average clearances (7.6). His elite performances were well recognised among the league, which saw him get selected in this year's 46-player All-Australian squad. After finishing fourth in the 2025 Peter Crimmins Medal count, Newcombe is set to feature among the top contenders once again in 2026. 

Jarman Impey 

Games: 21
Disposals per game: 23.6
Marks per game: 7

Jarman Impey could back up his maiden All-Australian blazer with his first Peter Crimmins Medal after producing an outstanding season from defence. Along with strong averages of 23.6 disposals and six intercept possessions per game, the 31-year-old also ranked eighth in the competition for marks, with seven per match. After recording his first career podium finish in last year's Peter Crimmins Medal count, could Impey go one, or even two steps better come October?

Nick Watson 

Games: 21
Goals per game: 2.6
Total goals: 55

In just his third season at the elite level, Nick Watson has produced a career-best year in the brown and gold. He booted 55 goals from his 21 games to finish sixth in the Coleman Medal, and became the first player in 80 years to kick 50+ goals, despite being shorter than 170cm. Along with his freakish ability in front of goal, the 21-year-old produced impressive averages of 13.3 disposals, 6.9 score involvements, 2.4 inside 50s and 2.3 marks per game. Could he go from a top 10 finish in 2025 to a first-place finish in 2026? 

James Sicily 

Games: 22
Disposals per game: 21.2
Intercept possessions per game: 8.3

Hawthorn Co-Captain James Sicily produced another solid season in the brown and gold, ranking first in the league for average intercept possessions per game with 8.3. Named to the All-Australian squad for the fourth time in his career, could the 31-year-old win his second Peter Crimmins Medal? 

Connor Macdonald 

Games: 23
Disposals per game: 21.1
Marks per game: 4.7

With more midfield minutes in 2026, Connor Macdonald thrived, averaging 21.1 disposals and 4.7 marks per game. Along with playing an important role in Hawthorn's engine room, Macdonald has also kicked 16 goals this year, highlighting his versatility. With over 100 games and five seasons under his belt, the young Hawk has played an important role in the team's success this year. 

Blake Hardwick 

Games: 23
Disposals per game: 17.9
Marks per game: 5.9

Underrated among the league but highly rated among Hawthorn's four walls, Blake Hardwick is no stranger to Peter Crimmins silverware, having come fifth four times and second twice across his career. The 29-year-old continues to be one of Hawthorn's most reliable and consistent players each week, averaging 17.9 disposals and 5.9 marks per game while nullifying some of the most dangerous opposition forwards in the process. Plus, he is known to pinch-hit in the forward line with tremendous success too! Could this be the year he claims a very well-deserved Peter Crimmins Medal award? 

Jack Gunston 

Games: 17
Goals per game: 3.5
Total goals: 59

Hawthorn's own 'Benjamin Button' is in the mix to win back-to-back Peter Crimmins Medals and the third of his career after another outstanding year in the forward line. The 34-year-old averaged a league-leading 3.5 goals per game and finished fourth in the Coleman Medal with 59 goals from his 17 matches this year. His incredible goal tally included one seven-goal haul, four bags of five majors and two four-goal efforts across the year. 

Josh Battle 

Games: 21
Disposals per game: 20.4
Intercept possessions per game: 6.5

Following a debut All-Australian blazer in his first year at Hawthorn, Josh Battle has continued to form a key piece of Hawthorn's backline in 2026. The 27-year-old missed just two games due to appendix surgery and averaged 20.4 disposals and 6.5 intercept possessions per game. After finishing in the top 10 of last year's Peter Crimmins Medal count, Battle could rise further up the placings in 2026. 

Josh Ward 

Games: 23
Disposals per game: 22.9
Clearances per game: 4

Josh Ward has had a breakout year in the midfield. Featuring in all 23 games this year, the 23-year-old has produced strong averages of 22.9 disposals and four clearances per game. After winning Hawthorn's Most Improved Award last year, Ward could be in line to win an even greater prize in 2026.

Cam Mackenzie 

Games: 21
Disposals per game: 20.3
Tackles per game: 4.4 

Like Ward, Cam Mackenzie has also taken his game to another level this year in Hawthorn's engine room. The 22-year-old has averaged 20.3 disposals and 4.4 tackles per match. Such a strong year on the field may yield his highest Peter Crimmins Medal finish yet.