Will Langford

Went from fringe player to premiership hero in the space of a month after a magnificent finals series in which he averaged 23 possessions and kicked five goals, including three in the Grand Final. Primarily used as a run-with player for much of 2014, he showed in the finals he can be damaging when allowed to play a more attacking role. The tougher the contest, the more he loves it and he led the Hawks in hard-ball gets. The son of champion Hawthorn full-back and former AFL commissioner Chris, he looks set for a distinguished career in the brown and gold.