Hawthorn fans are beginning to lick their lips once again, as it would seem their club is on the verge of something great.
Following a five-year hiatus from September action that trailed a three-peat and multiple top-four finishes, it would appear the 'Happy team at Hawthorn' is grinning.
Turning around an 0-5 start to the 2024 season to falling four points shy of a preliminary final berth, coach Sam Mitchell has his men heading in the right direction.
And they're not done with yet.
Early punters have the Hawks as the second favourite for the 2025 flag, aided by the acquisition of defensive duo Tom Barrass (West Coast) and Josh Battle (St Kilda).
The pair come to Waverley - soon to be Dingley - as established stars of the competition, upgrading its back half that seemed to be the only weakness.
Mitchell, as a former Brownlow medal winner, knows a thing or two about the midfield and has got his cohort playing above their pay grade.
Jai Newcombe is a mid-season pick-up; Lloyd Meek was traded from Fremantle as a depth ruckman; Conor Nash is an Irish prospect who has exceeded all expectations; James Worpel was overlooked for most of his draft (2017) before being snapped up at Pick 47.
As for the forward line, Jack Ginnivan crosses from Collingwood for a pack of peanuts; Dylan Moore was discarded by the elite level before the Hawks took a chance on him; Mabior Chol is at his third club; Calsher Dear was taken with Pick 56.
Seemingly a bunch of misfits that have been bound together by the brown and gold to become a super team.
Add in the likes of Nick Watson (Pick 5), Jack Scrimshaw (Pick 7), Josh Ward (Pick 7), Cam Mackenzie (Pick 7), Will Day (Pick 13), Josh Weddle (Pick 18) and Connor Macdonald (Pick 26) to the fold, and this is a seriously talented list.
Plus, captain James Sicily, who was a steal at Pick 56 in the 2013 National Draft, turning over 156 games, an All-Australian selection and a best and fairest so far.
But a premiership medallion is what he's searching for. As is his club.
The addition of Barrass and Battle will only help sure up the backline, which relied heavily on Sam Frost, Ethan Phillips, Jai Serong, Weddle and Sicily to play beyond what was initially deemed their capabilities.
And now the ceiling has been raised.
Mitchell will have at his disposal flexibility and versatility to throw his players around in different positions, which worked throughout 2024.
Think Sicily up forward. Weddle in the midfield, and also forward.
Like the Hawthorn coach was as a player, he could play a variety of roles, and nowadays, the modern game demands it.
At St Kilda, Battle started his career as a forward before turning into a handy intercept defender, fuelling the philosophy that has held the Hawks in good stead for well over a decade.
Funnily enough, AFL fans enjoyed the Hawthorn-less finals series after getting used to Alastair Clarkson standing atop the float on grand final day with the premiership cup aloft.
But now they might need to prepare for Mitchell doing it.
The healthy arrogance that exudes through the brown and bold has been a feature since the 1970s and 80s.
Dermott Brereton's strut.
Lance Franklin's complete disregard of Cale Hooker before kicking one of the goals of the year in 2010, and maybe ever.
Luke Hodge's kiss on Franklin's neck in the 2014 decider following the move from the superstar goal-kicker.
And more recently,ย Hokย Ball, which has seen the 'rascal pack', consisting of Ginnivan, Watson and Macdonald, deliver unique and intoxicating goal celebrations that has coursed through their teammates, the AFL and the entire community.
It has sustained the club, connecting past players to future trends, with Mitchell also admitting he's on board with the divisive antics on field.
They do things their way and are loyal to a fault, reflected by Sicily's response to Ken Hinkley who went after Ginnivan following the semi-final loss.
The Hawks never die wondering. They never take a backwards step.
And, in their 100th year in the competition, 2025 is ripe for the taking.
