2018 Hawthorn Football Club season

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 15–7 record. This was the 7th time in the last 8 seasons Hawthorn won 15 or more games. Their 4-point win against St Kilda 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 Sydney 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 Richmond 64–95 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 Melbourne 71–104 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. As of 2023, this is the last time Hawthorn have made the finals