Sam Mitchell has given Hawthorn fans the strongest indication yet that Tom Mitchell may be available for Round 1.
The 2018 Brownlow Medal winner missed all of last season after he broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg during a training session in January.
The 26-year-old hasn't been cleared for full contact just yet, but he took part in all of the drills at Friday's training run.
"He's certainly looking pretty sharp," assistant coach Sam Mitchell said on Friday.
"The plan at this point is that he'll be ready to play some time in the pre-season games and be ready for round one.
"He's on track.
"He's had a pretty slow progression over a bit over 12 months now.
"He's in good spirits. He's started to do some match play stuff, but he still dons the blue (non-contact) hat to make sure that no one cannons into him too much.
"He's started to be the normal Tommy that we're used to."
