Hawthorn Hawks Contracts & Salary Cap: Sam Mitchell, Youth Rebuild & Draft Investment

The Hawthorn Hawks operate under the AFL’s $16.49 million soft salary cap, featuring captain James Sicily on a five-year deal worth approximately $5 million through 2027.

Hawthorn finished 16th in 2024 with a 6-17 record in their third consecutive season outside finals. The club committed to full rebuild after the 2018-2020 dynasty ended. Coach Sam Mitchell enters his fourth season developing young talent including Will Day, Jai Newcombe, and Nick Watson.

List manager Mark McKenzie manages strategic spending, prioritizing youth over veterans. The Hawks traded away premiership stars including Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O’Meara, and Chad Wingard, accumulating 10+ first-round picks between 2021-2023 for list regeneration.

Click on any player’s name to view their complete biography and estimated net worth.

Hawthorn Hawks’ Biggest Contracts

1. James Sicily – Captain/Key Defender: James Sicily signed a five-year extension through 2027 worth approximately $5 million total. He reportedly earns $900,000-1 million annually as the 2023 All-Australian and club captain. The 29-year-old averaged 22.3 disposals in 2024, anchoring Hawthorn’s defense despite finishing 16th.
2. Will Day – Midfielder/Defender: Will Day extended through 2029 on a deal worth approximately $4.5 million total. He earns an estimated $700,000-800,000 annually after winning the 2024 Peter Crimmins Medal. The 23-year-old averaged 26.1 disposals, emerging as Hawthorn’s best midfielder in the rebuild.
3. Jai Newcombe – Midfielder: Jai Newcombe signed a five-year extension through 2028 worth approximately $4 million total. He earns an estimated $650,000-750,000 annually after finishing runner-up in 2024 best and fairest. The 23-year-old averaged 24.7 disposals forming midfield partnership with Day.
4. Dylan Moore – Forward: Dylan Moore extended through 2028 on a deal worth approximately $3.5 million total. He earns an estimated $600,000-700,000 annually after kicking 44 goals in 2024. The 27-year-old provides veteran stability in Hawthorn’s young forward line.
5. Luke Breust – Forward/Leadership: Luke Breust remains on a veteran contract earning an estimated $400,000-500,000 annually through 2025. The 33-year-old four-time premiership player kicked 35 goals in 2024. He’s Hawthorn’s last remaining connection to the 2013-2015 dynasty era.

Hawthorn’s top-five contracts total approximately $21-23 million across multiple years. The Hawks consume roughly 32-37% of salary cap space on these five players, the AFL’s lowest concentration.

This creates maximum cap flexibility for developing 15+ players on rookie-scale contracts earning $150,000-350,000.

How Hawthorn Manages the $16.49M Salary Cap

Hawthorn operates comfortably at approximately $14.5-15.5 million with $1-2 million remaining cap space. The Hawks allocate just 32-37% of salary cap to their top five highest-paid players, allowing maximum youth development investment.

The club cleared massive salary space trading Tom Mitchell ($850K to Collingwood), Jaeger O’Meara ($700K to Fremantle), and Chad Wingard ($600K to Essendon) between 2021-2022. These moves created approximately $2.15 million annual cap relief for the rebuild.

Hawthorn benefits from young list demographics with 18 players aged 23 or under on entry-level contracts. This creates $2-3 million annual cap advantage versus veteran-heavy Geelong.

The Hawks’ average salary of $320,000 per player ranks AFL’s lowest compared to Geelong’s $450,000.

The club faces minimal salary cap pressure through 2027 with most young talent locked on long-term deals. Sicily ($950K), Day ($750K), and Newcombe ($700K) anchor spending while 15+ players earn under $350,000, allowing gradual contract escalation as the rebuild progresses.

Hawthorn’s Biggest Salary Cap Decision: The Tom Mitchell Trade

Hawthorn’s most significant salary cap decision came trading 2018 Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell to Collingwood in 2022. The club moved his $850,000 salary while receiving only Pick 49 in return, essentially paying Collingwood to take him.

Mitchell’s departure immediately saved Hawthorn $850,000 annually. The Hawks redirected savings toward extending Sicily, Day, and Newcombe on long-term deals. The club prioritized building around 23-year-olds rather than paying 29-year-old Mitchell through his decline.

Mitchell averaged 28.5 disposals across two Collingwood seasons, helping the Magpies reach 2023 Grand Final and 2024 Preliminary Final. Hawthorn finished 16th both seasons. The opportunity cost shows Mitchell had value, but the Hawks correctly prioritized youth.

This decision reflects Sam Mitchell’s ruthless rebuild philosophy. The club cut every veteran earning over $600,000 except Sicily, creating clean salary slate. Geelong’s Chris Scott retains expensive veterans maintaining contention.

The contrasting approaches show in results: Geelong finals consistency, Hawthorn patient rebuilding.

Salary Cap Strategy: Hawthorn vs Geelong

Hawthorn employs youth investment spreading 32-37% of cap across five players earning $400,000-1 million. Geelong pursues veteran retention allocating 40-45% to six proven stars earning $700,000-1.05 million.

The Hawks’ average list age of 23.9 years ranks fourth-youngest in AFL. Geelong’s 26.1 years is oldest. Hawthorn invests in Day (23), Newcombe (23), and Watson (19) on long-term deals. Geelong maintains Dangerfield (34), Stewart (31), and Cameron (31) maximizing their premiership window.

The bitter rivals showcase extreme philosophical contrasts. Hawthorn accepts short-term pain accumulating 10+ first-round picks for 2025-2028 contention. Geelong sacrifices future picks maintaining immediate success, reaching 2024 Preliminary Final.

Traditional rivals meet twice annually with Geelong dominating recent matchups. The Hawks haven’t defeated Geelong since Round 23, 2022.

The spending difference shows: Geelong invested $24-26 million in six veterans, Hawthorn spreads $21-23 million across five emerging stars plus 18 developing players.

FAQs

How much does James Sicily earn at Hawthorn?

James Sicily earns an estimated $900,000-1 million annually on his five-year extension through 2027 worth approximately $5 million total. The 29-year-old captain and 2023 All-Australian is Hawthorn’s highest-paid player, averaging 22.3 disposals despite the club finishing 16th with just six wins.

What is Will Day’s contract worth?

Will Day signed an extension through 2029 worth approximately $4.5 million total, earning an estimated $700,000-800,000 annually. The 23-year-old won the 2024 Peter Crimmins Medal after averaging 26.1 disposals, representing Hawthorn’s core young midfielder alongside Jai Newcombe.

Does Hawthorn have salary cap space?

Hawthorn has approximately $1-2 million remaining salary cap space, the AFL’s most flexibility. The club operates at $14.5-15.5 million under the $16.49 million soft cap after clearing veteran contracts like Tom Mitchell ($850K) and Jaeger O’Meara ($700K).

Why did Hawthorn trade Tom Mitchell?

Hawthorn traded 2018 Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell to Collingwood in 2022 to clear his $850,000 salary and prioritize youth development. The club received only Pick 49, essentially paying Collingwood to take him, but redirected savings toward extending James Sicily, Will Day, and Jai Newcombe on long-term deals.