Hardwick made his debut in a 19-point win against in round 19, 2016, at
Aurora Stadium in
Launceston, recording eight disposals and kicking a behind. He earned a Rising Star nomination in Round 15, 2017, after a string of solid performances, finishing the match with 19 disposals at 94 per cent efficiency, five tackles and three marks in a 24-point win over . On August 14, 2017, Hardwick signed a two-year contract extension keeping him at Hawthorn until the end of 2019. Entering his third season, Hardwick's guernsey number was changed from 37 to the 15 worn previously by
Luke Hodge following the latter's move to Brisbane at the end of the 2017 season. He played every game of the 2018 season, kicking his first goal at AFL level and finishing second in Hawthorn's best and fairest award, the
Peter Crimmins Medal, behind 2018 Brownlow medallist
Tom Mitchell. In 2021, Hardwick played his 100th career game for Hawthorn. He once again finished runner up in the Peter Crimmins medal behind Mitchell. ==Statistics==