The 2018 season was the Hawthorn Football Club's 94th season in the Australian Football League and 117th overall, the 19th season playing home games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 18th season playing home games at the University of Tasmania Stadium, the 14th season under head coach Alastair Clarkson, and the 2nd season with Jarryd Roughead as club captain. This was also the first season without either Luke Hodge or Sam Mitchell on the list since 2001.
Hawthorn improved on their record from 2017, finishing in fourth place with a record. This was the 7th time in the last 8 seasons Hawthorn won 15 or more games. Their 4-point win against in round 22 clinched a finals series appearance for the first time since 2016, and their 10th in the last 14 seasons. Their 9-point win over in round 23 clinched a double chance for the first time since 2016, and their 7th in the last 8 seasons.
Hawthorn were defeated by the defending premiers 64âÂÂ95 in the qualifying final. This was the first time the two had played a final against each other. This was Hawthorn's third consecutive finals defeat having lost two finals in 2016. It was also Hawthorn's third consecutive qualifying final defeat having lost qualifying finals in 2015 and 2016. Hawthorn were eliminated from the finals by 71âÂÂ104 in the Semi-final. This was the seventh time the two teams had played a final against each other, and the first time since 1990. This was Hawthorn's fourth consecutive finals defeat equalling the club record. It was also Hawthorn's second consecutive semi-final defeat having lost the semi-final in 2016. Hawthorn also became the first team under the AFL final eight system to be eliminated in straight-sets twice having also being eliminated in straight-sets in 2016.
The 2018 AFL season was the 122nd season of the VFL/AFL competition since its inception in 1897; having entered the competition in 1925, it was the 94th season contested by the Hawthorn Football Club. Tasmania and iiNet continued as the club's two major sponsors, as they had done since 2006 and 2013 respectively, while Adidas continued to manufacture the club's on-and-off field apparel, as they had done since 2013. Hawthorn continued its alignment with the Box Hill Hawks Football Club in the Victorian Football League, allowing Hawthorn-listed players to play with the Box Hill Hawks when not selected in AFL matches.
Alastair Clarkson continued as the club's head coach for the fourteenth consecutive season. While Jarryd Roughead continued as the club's captain for the second consecutive season. On 22 August 2017, it was announced Cameron Bruce was departing the club at the end of the 2017 season to join Carlton as a senior assistant coach. On 29 August 2017, it was announced that assistant coach Scott Burns and former player Darren Glass would join Hawthorn as assistant coaches. On 2 October 2017, it was announced that Tracey Gaudry would step down as the club's CEO. Peter Nankivell was appointed as the interim CEO. On 4 October 2017, Richard Garvey resigned as president of the club, with Jeff Kennett re-appointed in the role. Kennett previously served as president of the club from 2005âÂÂ2011. Garvey remained at the club as a director. On 17 October 2017, it was announced that Justin Reeves was appointed as the CEO of the club. On 2 August 2018, it was announced that after six seasons as assistant coach Brett Ratten would be leaving the club at the end of the season to explore new opportunities.
AFL awards
Club awards