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, BRISBANE, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE, GEELONG, GOLD COAST, GWS
Led by All-Australian James Sicily, the Hawks rearguard is an intriguing area for Sam Mitchell's 2024 plans.
Looking to support Sicily will be one of James Blanck or Sam Frost, with the fringe pair both in contention for a starting role as the man to go toe-to-toe with the opposition's best forward.
Sicily will offer his elite aerial and leadership qualities on the Hawks' last line, while an up-and-down year for Jack Scrimshaw will hopefully be left in 2023 as the former Sun looks to cement his place in the senior side.
Lockdown backman Blake Hardwick continues to fly under the radar with his level of defensive nous, while flank pair Jarman Impey and Changkuoth Jiath will offer plenty of run and ball use from the back half.
Youngster Josh Weddle is sure to excite with his dash, and could even be moved further up the field, while recruit Massimo D'Ambrosio is set to offer a similar service.
Seamus Mitchell was a nice positive for the Hawks after biding his time in the VFL to play 14 games in 2023, while speedster Bailey Macdonald is one to watch over the pre-season.
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.
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.
Hawthorn's front third underwent a reshuffle throughout the off-season, with both Brandon Ryan and Jacob Koschitzke bidding farewell to Waverley.
The Hawks have welcomed Mabior Chol from the Suns, while triple premiership forward Jack Gunston has returned to the club after a season with Brisbane.
The duo will look to support spearhead Mitch Lewis after a difficult season for Sam Mitchell's forward line, which struggled in the absence of Lewis at times this year.
Chol will look to return to his 2022 form, while Gunston offers some leadership and balance in the attacking half.
Veteran sharpshooter Luke Breust continues to show no signs of slowing down after a team-high 47-goal campaign, with a new partner joining the ranks in Collingwood excitement machine Jack Ginnivan.
A player of a similar mould and mentality is top draft selection Nick Watson, who could be right in the Round 1 mix.
The aforementioned Dylan Moore will be a key cog between the middle and front thirds, while Chad Wingard will be hoping to make a return from an Achilles injury in the second half of next season.
Youngster Sam Butler will be knocking on the door at selection, while attention will turn to Denver Grainger-Barras over the pre-season to see if he'll be trialled as a key forward.
FB: Blake Hardwick, James Sicily, Jarman Impey
HB: Changkuoth Jiath, Sam Frost, Josh Weddle
C: Karl Amon, Jai Newcombe, Connor MacDonald
HF: Dylan Moore, Mabior Chol, Luke Breust
FF: Jack Ginnivan, Mitchell Lewis, Jack Gunston
FO: Ned Reeves, Will Day, Josh Ward
I/C: Conor Nash, James Worpel, Jack Scrimshaw, Chad Wingard
SUB: Seamus Mitchell
Also in the mix: Nick Watson, Finn Maginness, Cameron Mackenzie, Massimo D'Ambrosio, James Blanck, Henry Hustwaite, Sam Butler