Hawks AFLW coach Bec Goddard says she is eager to get on the front foot and start building her side ahead of its inaugural season late next year.

A long-held aspiration for the club, Hawthorn announced in August that it had been granted an AFLW licence and would enter the competition in Season Seven, starting at the end of 2022.

Luke takes out top honours for VFLW Hawks

The inclusion into the AFLW is a big step forward to the club’s future vision which is to create an environment that is successful, sustainable, socially inclusive and equality-focused on both men’s and women’s programs.

Speaking from Canberra last week as part of Hawthorn's Peter Crimmins Medal count, Goddard said there was plenty of work happening behind the scenes as the club prepares for the 2022 season.

“We want to be really brave and aggressive with our list management approach - we weren’t born to follow,” Goddard said.

“The good thing about coming late to a party is that you have the ability to see everything – and know what’s worked to create a good time.

“Building that list and being really aggressive with that and finding players who aren’t just content with being drafted, but who actually want to be part of the club and feel privileged to be there and hunt for that win – that’s what we’re looking for.

“I think they’ll be a reconsideration of a few players priorities that are already in the system.

“We know that there is a couple of really good ones that have been mad Hawks supporters over the years, so we’ll see what happens when we finally come in and get to build our list.”

It comes as Hawthorn's VFLW side recently celebrated their Best and Fairest earlier this month with Tamara Like taking out the top honours.

Goddard said receiving an AFLW licence was “huge” for the club and enables it to become complete.

“We’re finally a club where girls and woman are not valued any differently because of their gender," she said.

“Growing up a Hawks supporter now means that you can aspire to be the best if you want to play the highest level at our great footy club.

“To be in this very privileged position now where I get to be a part of setting the foundations – we want our club to be where the grass is green, and it will be greener at Hawthorn and that’s what we’re going to set up.”