Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has leant into unique resources to ensure his club attains a competitive edge in 2025.
Mitchell, guided by EGM of Football Rob McCartney, was encouraged to explore new ways to connect to the playing group, and ultimately the club, which landed him in New Zealand.
From a sporting sense, the Kiwis have been a powerhouse in relation to their population, which Mitchell was immediately impressed by.
But, having spent time in the neighbouring country, the Hawks coach drew many mantras that could be applied to his club.
"Very big on culture, very big on understanding the person," Mitchell said on 3AW.
"You build good people, you build good players is their philosophy across (all codes).
"It's just so consistent... their national spirit is something to be proud of."
The All Blacks were the pioneers of the "sweep the sheds" mantra that underpins a humble attitude, but also a tradition that declares no individual is bigger than the team whilst possessing a sense of community.
"What the New Zealanders do well was how self-driven they were," Mitchell continued.
"They recruit on character first and foremost. They leave the athlete to drive their own career.
"Sometimes in the AFL, with the amount of resources we have, we get in the way (of the players).
"(The aim should be) to make sure they are in charge, and we (coaching group) support them."
Understanding the person has been a motto of Mitchell's during his three seasons in charge, which, in time, has dealt with big personalities.
The 'Hollywood Hawks' have been dubbed as the most entertaining club in the AFL, largely due to the theatrics on and off the field, of which underpinned a successful 2024 season.
From Nick Watson's celebrations, Jack Ginnivan's social media presence, Hokball, and more, Mitchell's men are unapologetically themselves.
Recently, Watson fronted the media and was quizzed about the Port Adelaide semi-final rematch that is set to descend onto Adelaide Oval as the concluding match of Gather Round.
The small forward declared a sense of "revenge" among the brown and gold cohort due to the heartbreaking three-point loss.
The theatrics and subsequent commentary surrounding such comments generally have fans divided.
But Mitchell, like he has done countless times, is willing to "embrace" the personality before the athlete, a teaching that was reinforced during his time in New Zealand.
"Nick wanted to express himself in that way in words most of us wouldn't say," Mitchell said.
"Does that mean he'll have a target on his back? I'm not sure.
"But we'll embrace everything he does and the way he goes about it."
