It's an exciting era for Hawthorn under senior coach and club great Sam Mitchell, with the club's promising ranks of young stars looking to rise up the competition in 2024.

While it would only earn the Hawks a return of 16th place, the club managed to record seven wins while battling without some of their top-line players for periods of the year.

The Hawks will again be reliant on their key pillars at either end of the field in captain James Sicily and star forward Mitch Lewis, with the brown and gold side posting a winning record (six wins, five losses) when the two played together this year.

Mitchell's side looks set to bat deep in the middle of the field, while key selection calls will come at both ends of the field after an off-season of change for the Hawks.

Here's how we see Hawthorn's best 23 for 2024 taking shape...

BEST 23s: ADELAIDE,ย BRISBANE,ย CARLTON,ย COLLINGWOOD,ย ESSENDON,ย FREMANTLE,ย GEELONG, GOLD COAST, GWS

2. Midfielders

The Hawks aren't short on prolific or promising midfield talent, with their young core of Jai Newcombe, Will Day and Josh Ward set to excite for the years to come.

Add Irishman Conor Nash and best and fairest winner James Worpel to that mix, while stopped Finn Maginness has proven to be a viable shutdown role player when required.

Flanker Connor MacDonald and senior wingman Karl Amon offer some run on the outside of the engine room, while 2023 rookie Cameron Mackenzie will be looking to cement a place in Sam Mitchell's best side after some good early signs this year.

Fellow first-year onballer Henry Hustwaite was full of promise in his two appearances in 2023, offering plenty of poise and clean ball use through the middle of the field.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 15: Will Day of the Hawks looks to pass the ball during the Hawthorn Hawks AFL intra club match at La Trobe University on February 15, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

The Hawks could also have youngster Josh Weddle roam up from the backline and give some extra run on the wing, while half-forward Dylan Moore is likely to continue to add some more midfield minutes to his role in 2024.

Harry Morrison endured an interrupted year and will look to return to the top flight, while Cooper Stephens is yet to get a look at senior level in the brown and gold.

The Hawks will be hoping to lock in their best ruckman early into next season after tossing and turning between Ned Reeves and Lloyd Meek, with the former the expected first-string tall for Round 1.

They have some support from Mid-Season Draft recruits Max Ramsden and Clay Tucker, who will both likely require more time to develop.