We spoke to Hawthorn’s Elite Performance Manager Andrew Russell, to find out which of our Hawks have stepped up their game heading into the 2017 season.

Name: Ryan Burton
Age: 19
Guernsey: 5 (previously 35)
Senior games (2016): 4
Senior games (career): 4
Average disposals 2016: 10.25

After overcoming a serious leg break and finding his way in the senior side late in the 2016 season, Ryan Burton impressed in his handful of AFL appearances.

A calf injury sustained in the first quarter of Hawthorn’s qualifying final loss against Geelong was a disappointing end to his season, but there is certainly plenty to be excited about the way this 19-year-old plays.

According to Russell, Burton has put in the hard yards to ensure he is in the best shape possible leading into the season.

“His body is a lot better than this time last year. He came to us with his leg injury, but now he’s handling high intensity ball work and high intensity running, so he’s a long way ahead in every single area of his development compared to last year.

“He’s a lot stronger this year, too.”

Read: Hawks impress in second pre-season time trial

Russell believes that with a full pre-season under his belt, Burton looms as an exciting addition on either end of the field.

“He’s a new key position player in our system which is really exciting. He may play forward or he may play down back. But either way, he’s a really good ball user and a really smart footballer.

Burton will run out wearing the famous No.5 guernsey this season, having been presented his new number late last year.