2021 Hawthorn Football Club season
The 2021 Hawthorn Football Club season was the club's 97th season in the Australian Football League and 120th overall, the 22nd season playing home games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 21st season playing home games at the University of Tasmania Stadium, the 17th season under head coach Alastair Clarkson, and the 1st season with Ben McEvoy as captain.
| 2021 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Jeff Kennett | ||
| Coach | Alastair Clarkson | ||
| Captain(s) | Ben McEvoy | ||
| Home ground | Melbourne Cricket Ground University of Tasmania Stadium | ||
| Record | 7–13–2 (14th) | ||
| Best and Fairest | Tom Mitchell | ||
| Leading goalkicker | Luke Breust (33) | ||
| |||
On 6 July 2021, Hawthorn announced that former premiership captain and current assistant coach Sam Mitchell would succeed Clarkson as coach when his contract expired following the 2022 season. However, just a few weeks later the club announced that Clarkson would instead depart at the end of the 2021 season. Clarkson will depart the club as the most decorated coach in club history, having coached the most games (home and away, finals, total), wins (home and away, finals, total), and premierships. Following the announcement, Hawthorn finished the season strongly with wins over premiership contenders, Brisbane, and the Western Bulldogs. They also defeated Collingwood, and draw with the two–time defending premiers Richmond.
Hawthorn improved on their 5–12 record from the previous season. Hawthorn finished in 14th place with a 7–13–2 record. For the first and only time under Alastair Clarkson, the club failed to qualify for finals for the third consecutive season. Luke Breust topped the club goalkicking for the third time, finishing the season with 33 goals. Tom Mitchell won his third Peter Crimmins Medal.