When Hawthorn takes on Essendon in its Round 1 clash in less than a fortnight, a season of belief will begin for Sam Mitchell's young and developing Hawks. 

It comes after 2022 saw the start of a new era for the brown and gold, one with the newly appointed Mitchell behind the wheel.

In 2023, a new-look Hawks side will enter the season as the youngest (average age 22.8) and least experienced (average games 41.5) team in the AFL.

A group led by the likes of skipper James Sicily, vice captains Dylan Moore and Luke Breust, new recruit Karl Amon and young gun Jai Newcombe provides a solid foundation for the younger generation looking to make a name for themselves.

Now as the clock ticks down to Round 1, here's all the key information you need to know.

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Coach: Sam Mitchell

Captain: James Sicily

Vice captains: Luke Breust and Dylan Moore

2023 player list

1. Harry Morrison

2. Mitch Lewis

3. Jai Newcombe

4. Jarman Impey

5. James Worpel

6. James Sicily

7. Ned Reeves

8. Sam Frost

9. Changkuoth Jiath

10. Karl Amon

11. Conor Nash

12. Will Day

13. Dylan Moore

14. Jack Scrimshaw

15. Blake Hardwick

16. Lachlan Bramble

17. Lloyd Meek

18. Max Lynch

20. Chad Wingard

21. Cooper Stephens

22. Luke Breust

23. Jacob Koschitzke

24. Denver Grainger-Barras

25. Josh Ward

26. Fergus Greene

27. Ned Long

28. Cam Mackenzie

29. Jai Serong

30. Sam Butler

31. Connor Macdonald

32. Finn Maginness

33. Tyler Brockman

34. Fionn O’Hara

35. Josh Morris

36. James Blanck

37. Josh Weddle

38. Max Ramsden

39. Emerson Jeka

40. Seamus Mitchell

41. Josh Bennetts

42. Bailey Macdonald

43. Jack O’Sullivan

44. Henry Hustwaite

2022 in a nutshell 

Position on the ladder: 13th / 8 wins / 14 losses

Top three best and fairest (Peter Crimmins Medal): James Sicily, Jai Newcombe, Dylan Moore

In Mitchell’s first campaign at the helm, the Hawks showed plenty of promise in winning eight matches on their way to a 13th-place finish, with victories coming over North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Brisbane, West Coast, Gold Coast, and Adelaide, but most memorably, Geelong on Easter Monday.

Knocking over the Cats in a blockbuster game – and coming from behind to do so – sparked scenes of excitement among the Hawthorn faithful not seen at the MCG for quite some years. 

The 2022 season saw the Hawks unveil eight debutants including top-10 draft pick and NAB Rising Star nominee Josh Ward, impressive youngster Connor Macdonald and mid-season recruit James Blanck. 

CHECK OUT OUR AFL PLAYER PROFILES FOR 2023

Departures

Jaeger O’Meara, Tom Mitchell, Jack Gunston, Jackson Callow, Connor Downie, Kyle Hartigan, Tom Phillips, Liam Shiels, Ben McEvoy, Daniel Howe and Jack Saunders.

New players

Karl Amon, Lloyd Meek, Fergus Greene, Cooper Stephens, Josh Weddle, Cam Mackenzie, Josh Bennetts, Bailey Macdonald and Henry Hustwaite.

Players to watch

Click on the links below for analysis of Hawthorn's list by position, with each of our assistant coaches taking us through the pre-season's of every player so far. 

Midfielders | Forwards| Defenders 

The coaches

Sam Mitchell – AFL Senior Coach

Andrew Collins – Head of Development

Kade Simpson – Assistant Coach (Defence)

Chris Newman – Assistant Coach (Forwards)

David Hale – Assistant Coach (Midfield)

Adrian Hickmott – Assistant Coach (Contest)

David Mackay – Development Coach

Bec Goddard – AFLW Senior Coach/Development Coach

Zane Littlejohn – Box Hill Senior Coach/Development Coach

Fixture

All times AEDT. Times and dates yet to be confirmed following Round 15.

ROUND 1: vs Essendon, Sunday 19 March (MCG, 3.20PM)

ROUND 2: vs Sydney, Sunday 26 March (SCG, 1.10PM)

ROUND 3: vs North Melbourne, Saturday 1 April (UTAS Stadium, 1.45PM)

ROUND 4: vs Geelong, Monday 10 April (MCG, 3.20PM)

ROUND 5: vs GWS, Saturday 16 April (Norwood Oval, 3.20PM)

ROUND 6: vs Adelaide, Sunday 23 April (UTAS Stadium, 1.10pm)

ROUND 7: vs Western Bulldogs, Saturday 29 April (Marvel Stadium, 4.35pm)

ROUND 8: vs Fremantle, Saturday 6 May (Optus Stadium, 7.30pm)

ROUND 9: vs Melbourne, Saturday 13 May, (MCG, 4.35pm)

ROUND 10: vs West Coast, Sunday 21 May (UTAS Stadium, 1.10pm)

ROUND 11: vs St Kilda, Saturday, 27 May (Marvel Stadium, 1.45pm)

ROUND 12: vs Port Adelaide, Saturday 3 June (Adelaide Oval, 1.45pm)

ROUND 13: vs Brisbane, Saturday, 10 June  (MCG, 1.45pm)

ROUND 14: BYE

ROUND 15: vs Gold Coast, Sunday 25 June (Metricon Stadium, 4.40pm)

ROUND 16: vs Carlton, MCG (TBC)

ROUND 17: vs GWS, GIANTS Stadium (TBC)

ROUND 18: vs North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium (TBC)

ROUND 19: vs Richmond MCG (TBC)

ROUND 20: vs St Kilda, Marvel Stadium (TBC)

ROUND 21: vs Collingwood, MCG (TBC)

ROUND 22: vs Western Bulldogs, UTAS (TBC)

ROUND 23: vs Melbourne MCG (TBC)

ROUND 24: vs Fremantle, MCG (TBC)

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The big games to get excited for

R1 v Essendon, MCG

Kicking off the year with a home game at the MCG, the Hawks will open their season with a traditional rivalry match against Essendon. It will mark just the second time the Hawks have secured a home match against the Bombers at the ‘G in seven years. These two sides have always had a fierce rivalry, resulting in entertaining and thrilling football, with this year shaping up to be just as exciting. The last time Hawthorn met Essendon in an opening round clash was in 2021 where the Hawks took home a one-point victory after pulling off a thrilling comeback.

R4 v Geelong, MCG

Easter Monday against Geelong. Bang! It's a staple in the football calendar, and arguably one of the most exciting matches of the year. The rivals' traditional clash has been nothing short of thrilling in recent years. In what was a highlight of the 2022 season, Hawthorn walked away with an exciting 12-point win over the Cats. While the Hawks won't be hosting next year's clash, the game will act as a Member Access Game, allowing Hawthorn members access to use their membership to attend the match.

R6 v Adelaide, UTAS Stadium

Hawthorn will head back to Launceston for four games at UTAS Stadium next year, which is headlined by its ANZAC Round game against the Crows. It marks the third consecutive year that Hawthorn will host an ANZAC Round game at its Tasmanian home. Hawthorn has recorded a win over Adelaide in three of its last five encounters. 

R16 v Carlton, MCG

In a significant coup for the brown and gold faithful, this game marks the first time that the Hawks will host the Blues at the 'G since 2015. The last time these two sides met in 2022 was decided by just a point – with the Blues just holding off a late comeback from Hawthorn in front of almost 70,000 fans.

R21 v Collingwood, MCG

Hawthorn’s second last home game at the MCG for the season will see the club battle Collingwood for the first time in 2023. After a narrow four-point loss to the Pies in Round 12 of last year, Hawthorn will be looking to make a statement and take down the Magpie Army. If the two side's recent practice match is to go by too, we have no doubt that the meeting late in the season will be an exciting one. 

More 2023 AFL Season Guides: Forwards | Midfielders | Defenders