New Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell will have a premiership teammate as captain after ruckman Ben McEvoy was reappointed for a second consecutive year.
Despite reports Mitchell could look to a youxjmtzywnger leader for his youthful team after taking over from four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson, McEvoy has been given the nod again.
“I feel extremely proud to be trusted by my peers and given the opportunity to lead this great club again in 2022,” McEvoy said.
“While last season presented its own obstacles, I was very grateful for the support I received from the leadership group, the players and the entire club during my first year as skipper.
“I would also like to thank my wife Nicky and our kids Angus, Moira and Clancy who were pillars of support during my first year as captain and who continue to challenge and inspire me every day.
“I have been presented with so many incredible opportunities across my time in the brown and gold, and to lead the club once again in 2022 is an absolute privilege.
“As a playing group, we have been working hard this pre-season to improve and we‘re excited about meeting the challenge of the season ahead. We can’t wait to return to our beloved ‘G’ and UTAS Stadium and see the Hawthorn faithful cheering loud and proud in 2022.”
McEvoy and Mitchell were twice premiership teammates in 2014 and 2015 and will now be coach and captain.
Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett welcomed the announcement and expressed his pride in McEvoy’s leadership skills and work ethic.
“The club is extremely proud of the way Ben led our playing group in 2021, particularly when faced with another challenging and sporadic year amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kennett said.
“With or without the title, Ben is an unspoken leader that is admired by the entire playing group and football department staff – consistently taking a club-first approach with his core values and good character at the forefront.
“From our members to our players and staff, everyone is thrilled to call him our skipper for another season and I can’t wait to see him lead the team out onto the field again this year.”
