In a deal that came down to the wire on the last day of the trade period, veteran key defender Tom Barrass has joined the Hawthorn Football Club. Let’s get to know a little more about the veteran defender.
After captaining the Claremont Tigers in their 2013 WAFL premiership, and representing WA in the under 18’s championship that same year, Barrass was selected with pick 43 by the West Coast Eagles in the 2013 National Draft.
Injury and subsequent rehab delayed the defenders’ debut at AFL level until 2015, playing three games for the West Coast senior side. But it was in 2016 that he made a real impact, solidifying his place in defence and going on to get his first taste of September.
Barrass would go on to play 150 games total for West Coast, including nine across four finals series, before nominating Hawthorn as his preferred trade destination at the end of the 2024 home and away season.
The Stats and Accolades
Barrass earned a Rising Star Nomination in the final round of the 2016 season after he recorded 17 disposals at 94.1% efficiency, alongside 10 spoils and marks. He also polled one Brownlow vote for this performance and would later be awarded West Coast’s Rookie of the Year award.
At 29 years old, the seasoned defender has averaged 12.9 disposals, 6.5 marks, and three rebounding fifties across his 150 matches, and in 2024, Barrass was rated sixth in the competition for one-percenters/game.
Barrass played a pivotal role in West Coast’s premiership year of 2018, playing 19 games, however it was 2022 that proved to be the best season of his career. The now highly-recognised interceptor averaged 15.5 disposals, 3.8 intercept marks and 7.5 spoils a game; ultimately resulting in him being awarded the John Worsford medal as the club’s best and most consistent player. Barrass’s strong on-field performance was also acknowledged league-wide when he was named a member of the 44-man All-Australian squad.
What He Brings To The Club
While he stands at an imposing 194cm and weighs 95kg (at the time of last recording), Barrass brings more than size and an imposing presence to the table. His experience across nine seasons of senior football, including four finals tilts and a Grand Final to boot, and tactical acumen could prove invaluable to our developing backmen in James Blanck, Will McCabe and recent draftee Noah Mraz.
Barrass’s ability to lockdown on key forwards, intercept and rebound offensively make him an essential asset in shoring up Hawthorn’s tenuous defensive structure, especially when placed alongside the likes of Jack Scrimshaw, Blake Hardwick, Sam Frost, and fellow new recruit, Josh Battle.
By strengthening our backline, Barrass also enables players like James Sicily and Josh Weddle to move up the ground where they could have the freedom to roam and make an impact: ultimately allowing coach Sam Mitchell more flexibility and ability to create new strategic approaches.
Talking Hawks are tremendously excited to see how the veteran slots into the Hawks defence lineup in season 2025 and beyond.
