HAWTHORN chief executive Stuart Fox says the Club is prepared to again be the hunted next year after winning back-to-back premierships.
The Hawks will officially begin training for its 2015 campaign when the players with one-four years experience return for pre-season training on Monday.
The full list will return to begin pre-season on 2 December.
Fox says the Hawks will be the hunted once again after saluting as this year’s premiers but the Club is well-equipped to deal with the impending challenges.
“There’s no doubt when the full list comes back in early December for training we’ll be ready to go again,” he told hawthornfc.com.au
“We are the hunted, there’s no doubt about that.
“It’ll be a huge challenge to bat up again next season. (But) the Club has a high performance culture and we’ll be striving to be our best.
“We’ll be focused next year and we’ll have another got at it but there are going to be a lot of other teams out to get us, there’s no doubt.”
Attention turned to next year just days after the 2014 premiership, when the Club announced it had signed high-profile unrestricted free agent full back James Frawley from Melbourne.
Soon after, during the player exchange period, the Hawks traded for GWS Giants young gun and former number two draft pick Jonathan O’Rourke.
In the process the Hawks said farewell to veteran midfielder Brad Sewell who announced his retirement, and Kyle Cheney and Luke Lowden departed for more senior opportunities.
The Hawks are in a strong position though, having brought in more experience and a highly-rated youngster to push its senior players.
But while planning for 2015 has been well underway for some time and Fox is confident the Hawks can challenge again, he said it’s critical the Club, its players, coaches, staff, members and supporters still enjoy the 2014 flag.
“We’ve got a very good list and a capable one so there’s no reason we’re not going to be competitive for years to come,” he said.
“People start talking about going for the third one but I’m a big believer in enjoying the ones you’ve got – they’re so important to enjoy them and let everyone enjoy them.”
