Currently training on the Sunshine Coast with his Hawthorn teammates, Liam Shiels is feeling in good shape ahead of the 2017 season.

“Pre-season’s going really well,” said Shiels.

“I’m in a much better condition than I was this time last year. I’m just really enjoying it up in Mooloolaba at the minute, and it’s a great place to train and recover.”

With a couple of high profile players no longer around the club, Shiels highlighted the need for the remaining mid to senior players to assume greater leadership responsibilities in 2017.

“When you lose two players of their calibre [Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell], it means that other players are going to have to step up.”

“We’ve got a strong group of emerging leaders, so with those guys leaving, other guys have to fill the void both off field and on field.”

There has been plenty of speculation as to who might fill the leadership positions left vacant after Lewis and Mitchell’s departure at the end of the 2016 season. Shiels suggested some names of those who may be in the mix.

“Ben Stratton, Jack Gunston, Ben McEvoy, Luke Bruest, just to name a few.”

“There’s a number of different guys that have been in the emerging leaders program that I’m sure are ready to put their hand up.”

Similar to previous years, the players will cast votes on the leadership group during the pre-season.