MIDFIELDER Brad Sewell says Hawthorn has moved on from its Grand Final loss, setting its focus firmly on the season ahead.

Eight weeks after the 10-point defeat to the Sydney Swans in the 2012 premiership decider, the Hawks' full squad started pre-season on Monday.

Whereas the 2011 preliminary final defeat stuck firmly in the players' minds throughout last summer, Sewell said this time there would be no looking back.

"It (the Grand Final loss) has occurred and it's behind us now, and it's a matter of knuckling down and getting back into a position where we can have another go at it," Sewell said after training on Monday morning.

"There are times when you can't not think about it, regardless of the result.

"It's important to sit back and reflect to a certain extent, but that certainly doesn't last too long.

"We know in this game you can't afford to dwell on things that have happened in the past, because you'll very quickly get overtaken."

Consecutive near misses can take a toll on a club - just ask the St Kilda group of 2011.

But Sewell said there was no danger of a drop-off in hunger or desire at Hawthorn.

"Our group is a really young, strong, professional group," the 28-year-old said.

"You spend a little bit of time thinking about things, but it's a matter of putting that behind you and gearing up to go again.

"We're chomping at the bit to do everything we possibly can to give ourselves another chance."

And Sewell had no doubt the team could improve again, despite two seasons near the top.

"Our young guys will keep developing, and from our senior guys there's always room for improvement as well," he said.

"It's the old adage: if every player improves one or two per cent, it will accumulate across the board.

"I don't think there's a single player here who can't improve."

As expected, Isaac Smith, Bradley Hill and Liam Shiels were the standout runners at Monday morning's session, with Irish recruit Ciaran Kilkenny joining the trio in the lead group.

Draftees Tim O'Brien and Kaiden Brand joined their new teammates on the track for the first time, while captain Luke Hodge boxed on the sidelines as he recovers from post-season knee surgery.

Last season's knee victims Brendan Whitecross and Michael Osborne also took part in light duties.

The Hawks will head to the Sunshine Coast for a training camp in December.

Follow Mark Macgugan on Twitter: @AFL_MarkM.