Hawthorn Coach Sam Mitchell says the absence of fans at games over the past couple of years has taught the football world a lesson in gratitude.

Mitchell led his men through their final training session before the side takes on North Melbourne on Sunday, with an army of brown and gold watching on from the sidelines for the club's Season Launch.

It's the dawn of a new era, make sure you're a part of it!

"Days like today where we have probably between 500 and 1,000 people here at training, you realise that these are really the things that we've missed," Mitchell said in his press conference on Saturday.

"I think, before COVID, we took these things for granted, seeing the fans, the colours and the kids with their favourite players' numbers on the back.

"I think they're the great things in football and I think we need to take a step back and appreciate that we've got that part of the game back."

Watch Sam's full press conference below.