It was expected to be a year of pain for Hawthorn after the shedding of several senior players prior to the season.
But there were more positives than negatives for the Hawks as they look well-positioned to keep developing and improving.
Letter Grade: B+
The Sporting News analyses Hawthorn's 2023 campaign.
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Did the Hawks over/under achieve in 2023?
Despite winning only seven games in 2023, one less than last season, there is no doubt the Hawks overachieved in the recent campaign.
Their best two midfielders in 2022, Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O'Meara were traded away, meaning they looked light on in the engine room in 2023.
But the likes of Jai Newcombe, James Worpel, Will Day and Conor Nash stepped up to ensure they could be competitive through midfield.
With Mitch Lewis and Luke Breust starring up forward, the Hawks became a dangerous team to play against.
Wins against Collingwood, Brisbane, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs emphasised their positive year.
What worked?
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With the midfield ensuring a steady supply to the forward line, 32-year-old veteran Breust excelled, kicking 47 goals, which is the eighth season in his career with 40-plus goals.
Lewis only managed to play 15 games because of injury but kicked 36 goals and was a huge presence up forward.
There is no reason to think that a fully fit Lewis can't kick 50-plus goals in a season in the coming future.
Having a strong key forward is one of the first building blocks to getting Hawthorn back to the finals.
What went wrong?
There were regular inconsistencies in the Hawks' performances - something to expect from such a young team.
Only a week after an excellent win against the Saints, Hawthorn conceded 16 goals in the first half to Port Adelaide, before winning the second half by a couple of six pointers.
After shocking Brisbane at the MCG in round 13, the young Hawks followed it up by getting smashed by Gold Coast to the tune of 67 points.
The gap between their best and worst needs to reduced in 2024.
Hawthorn best player
Three players were nominated for All-Australian - James Sicily, Breust and Newcombe - with Sicily the player to recieve the 2023 blazer in the back pocket.
The Hawthorn defender was a leader across the defence with opposition's being forced to deploy taggers to reduce his influence on matches.
Sicily averaged 26 disposals and 10 marks, ranking first for marks per game, throughout the season, with his best match coming against St Kilda in round 11, where he gathered 43 disposals and 16 marks.
Who should Hawthorn target in AFL trade period?
With the list still developing, Hawthorn will be looking to bring in players ready to go in a bid to work themselves up the ladder.
They have been linked with a move for Fremantle wingman Liam Henry, while Bulldogs runner Bailey Smith has also been mentioned as possibility.
With tall defenders, aside from Sicily, also noted as a weakness, Geelong key back Esava Ratugolea could be a target also.
