Hawthorn received a significant boost ahead of their crucial elimination final against GWS, with vice-captain Dylan Moore signing a four-year contract extension with the club.
The 26-year-old midfielder still had one year remaining on his existing deal, but has joined Jai Newcombe, Nick Watson, Lloyd Meek and Josh Ward in committing his future to the Hawks.
Moore's extension, which ties him to Hawthorn until the end of 2030, comes as Hawthorn prepares for their second consecutive finals campaign, with the versatile player set to play a key role in the club's pursuit of a 14th premiership flag.
The Eastern Ranges product has delivered another impressive season, building on his second-place finish in last year's Peter Crimmins Medal for Hawthorn's best and fairest player.
This season, the influential vice-captain has averaged 19.3 disposals, 4.2 marks, 3.7 tackles and 5.5 score involvements per game.
His high work rate and contested ball skills have helped him achieve elite ratings in key statistical categories for AFL half-forwards.
He has also contributed 21 goals, helping drive the Hawks to a 15-8 record at the end of the 2025 home and away season.
Hawthorn's national recruiting and list manager, Mark McKenzie, highlighted Moore's exceptional on-field talents, as well as his off-field leadership, as the club prepares for a massive finals campaign.
“A player of Dylan's calibre is a rare commodity in our league. He's averaged almost 20 disposals and a goal a game over such a long period of time now, making him an incredibly important piece of our club,” McKenzie said.
“The way that Dylan has transformed himself into one of the truly elite players is a testament to his ultra-competitiveness and hunger for success; he's the sort of person that makes his teammates walk taller.
“When you add in Dylan's growing leadership capabilities, it highlights just how crucial he is to our overall make-up, and we are very excited about what he can deliver for our club in the years to come.”
Moore has maximised every opportunity since being selected with pick 67 in the 2017 AFL National Draft. His career took a dramatic turn when he was delisted at the end of the 2020 season, forcing him to wait anxiously for Hawthorn's final list decisions before receiving a rookie list lifeline.
Since that reprieve, Moore has made the most of his second chance, playing 113 of the next 115 possible games.
This remarkable run includes appearances in both of Hawthorn's recent finals campaigns in 2024 and 2025.
Moore will be pivotal to Hawthorn's hopes when they face GWS in Saturday's sudden-death clash. With Will Day sidelined due to a second navicular fracture and star midfielder Jai Newcombe expected to receive close attention from the Giants' Toby Bedford, Moore's versatility becomes even more valuable.
Operating between half-forward and the midfield, Moore will be crucial in helping contain GWS's strong midfield unit while giving the Hawks their best chance of advancing to the second week of finals.
All-Australian Moore will be deployed in midfield rotations throughout the match as Hawthorn attempts to end their eight-game drought at Engie Stadium.
His dual-threat capability, contributing both defensively through his tackle count and offensively with his ability to set up scoring chances, makes him exactly the type of player Hawthorn needs in high-pressure finals football.
