HAWTHORN Captain Luke Hodge says the Club was confident of winning this year’s premiership if it was able to evolve and change to stay ahead of the game.

The Hawks avenged last year’s loss to Sydney in the 2012 Grand Final with a 15-point victory over Fremantle in Saturday’s decider.

A jubilant Hodge spoke to hawthornfc.com.au in the rooms amidst the celebrations, declaring the Premiership win is not just for the players, but for everyone who bleeds brown and gold.

“To win in front of so many supporters and members - we had so many at training and the parade as well, it’s not only for the players but for them as well which is a great thing for the Club,” he said.

“To come off what we did last year, we always had confidence that if we changed a few things we could take that next step and we did.”

The Free Agency and Trade period began soon after the 2012 Grand Final and the changes Hodge spoke about almost immediately.

The first was the acquisition of gun full back Brian Lake from the Bulldogs.

The Hawks had lacked a genuine full back capable of standing the competition’s biggest forwards since Trent Croad retired in 2009 and Lake finally filled that void.

It was a move that first had it critics, given Lake was a 30 year old veteran who had previously had concerns with his knees in recent seasons but it soon became known as a recruiting masterstroke given his form against the best forwards in the competition.

By the end of Grand Final day, Lake is arguably the recruit of the year after winning the Norm Smith Medal for his performance on Matthew Pavlich at full back.

Another change the Hawks made, more subtle than the inclusion of Lake was its injection of speed.

Criticised for its perceived lack of pace, Alastair Clarkson put faith in youngster Bradley Hill on a wing.

The West Australian played 24 of a possible 25 matches this season and was one of the success stories of the 2013 finals series.

He had 15 disposals in the Grand Final and kicked a goal as he demonstrated composure beyond his years.

The form of Isaac Smith on a wing, the inclusion of Cyril Rioli and Luke Breust in the midfield to add further pace plus the versatility of players like Sam Mitchell and Jarryd Roughead also proved important.

The Hawks became the number one uncontested possession side in the league, with their spread after winning the ball in close particularly damaging when considering their elite foot skills.

It was those two characterises – winning the ball in contested situations and on the outside plus the ability to kick through Fremantle’s zone that proved critical in Saturday’s Premiership win.

The Hawks also developed a steely resolve from last year’s loss.

“The loss last year was a motivator throughout pre-season but we just had our sole focus on winning it this year because we’re competitive footballers and that’s what we train for,” Hodge said.

“We train to get to this day and capitalise and it’s a great feeling when you do.

“We knew to get them we had to play four quarters of footy and they charged at us but we were able to withstand that.

“They got that run on in the third quarter and then again in the last but it’s just a great feeling.”