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
3. Forwards
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.
