Despite some pundits pointing the finger during the early stages of last season, claiming Sam Mitchell's men were tanking, the young Hawks proved the doubters wrong, racking up a 6-8 record between Rounds 10 and 23.
And while each win was welcome, it bears remembering that three of these victories came
against 2023 finalists in St Kilda, Brisbane and eventual premiers Collingwood. Hardly the formline of a tanking team. With the youngsters from Waverley led by Mitchell - a man who has winning in his DNA - the sky remains the limit for this club that never lingers on the ladder's bottom rungs for long.
2024 expectations
While dreams of September success may be outside the realms of possibility this season, you are at your own peril writing off any Mitchell-led team. However, with double dates against the ilk of Collingwood, GWS, Adelaide, Geelong, Richmond and North Melbourne in 2024, the Hawks will need to find a new level to break back into the finals.
In reality, 2024 is likely to be seen as another building season at Bunjil Bagora, one designed to continue pumping games into the club's recent crops of bluechip draftees.
Star player: Will Day
After making his way across the border with the 13th pick of the 2019 draft, Day has had plenty of supporters at Hawthorn and very few detractors.
But after injuries curbed large portions of his early stages in brown and gold, the footy world was left to wait for the South Australian's true breakout season - a wait that ended in 2023. With averages
25.6 disposals, 4.2 clearances and an elite 5.8 marks across the course of his 21 outings last season, Day proved he was worth the wait, claiming a debut Peter Crimmins Medal in the process.
