Hokball, the Showtime Hawks, the Rascal Pack, Kings of the Selfies.

Love them or loathe them, the Hawks are undeniably one of the most watchable teams in the AFL.

From a sombre 0-5 start in 2024, Hawthorn became just the third team in VFL/AFL history to make finals from that position, reeling off 14 wins from 18 games, including huge wins over Collingwood (by 66 points) and Carlton (74 points) in front of big MCG crowds.

A six-goal win over a stunned Western Bulldogs in a free-flowing game in the first week of finals was followed by a sobering semifinal loss to Port Adelaide in a tense, tight encounter.

There was no flag, but it was in many ways a perfect finals series for the rebuilding Hawks – an exciting win to frank their belief, a demoralising loss to keep their perspective.

It was a ground-ball inspired recovery, with Will Day, Jai Newcombe, James Worpel and Conor Nash at the coalface, an electric forward line led by All-Australian Dylan Moore, Jack Ginnivan, Connor MacDonald and first-year players Nick Watson and Calsher Dear, Gold Coast recruit Mabior Chol and wily veterans Jack Gunstan and Luke Breust.

Lloyd Meek could not get a game at Fremantle, but knocked Ned Reeves out of the No. 1 ruck spot.

James Sicily flourished as skipper in defence, Jack Scrimshaw grew in stature both as a stopper and creator, Jarman Impey and Karl Amon provided consistent run and carry, Blake Hardwick showed his versatility at both ends, while Josh Weddle was ever threatening and Massimo D’Ambrosio performed so well on a wing he made the All-Australian squad.

Now the Hawks are back on Broadway and followed up their opening act win over Sydney with a comfortable victory over the Bombers to sit atop the ladder alongside GWS ..

Prime time kings in 2025, Sam Mitchell’s emerging power have been handed four Friday night slots – more than any other AFL team – and three Thursday night fixtures, as well as their traditional Easter Monday meeting with Geelong.

Will that translate into a top-four berth?

The addition of Tom Barrass from West Coast and Josh Battle from St Kilda will further bolster a defence that now has layers of depth.

The 29-year-old West Coast premiership defender joined the Hawks through the 2024 trade period. He brings 150 games of experience and has melded well with his new teammates in a short space of time.

Capable of shutting down dangerous opposition forwards but is also renowned for his ability to intercept and rebound from the back half. Adds a key layer of depth that gives the Hawks the flexibility to play Sicily forward.

Will Sicily spend more time forward? It will be tempting given Dear will miss early rounds with a hot spot in his back and Mitch Lewis won’t return from an ACL until at least mid-season.

The Hawks are still young and progress in the AFL is rarely linear.

And given their tougher draw, the Hawks will need to improve again if they are to challenge.

BEST AND FAIREST

Will Day

BREAKOUT PLAYER

Henry Hustwaite

BEST 23

B: J Battle T Barrass J Scrimshaw

HB: J Impey J Sicily K Amon

C: J Weddle W Day M D’Ambrosio

HF: D Moore M Lewis J Ginnivan

FF: N Watson M Chol J Gunston

FOLL: L Meek J Newcombe J Worpel

I/C: C Nash B Hardwick C Jiath C Macdonald

Sub: H Hustwaite