Regardless of who you barrack for, it's hard to deny that Hawthorn’s win over Sydney on Friday night was impressive. The Hawks picked the Swans’ game plan apart - a game plan that had delivered them 10 wins over their previous 11 games. 

But what makes the Hawks’ efforts all the more impressive is when you consider the quality that is currently sidelined for the brown and gold. 

There are currently six premiership players on the Hawthorn injury list.

Grant Birchall, James Frawley, Josh Gibson, Paul Puopolo, Cyril Rioli and Ben Stratton.

1134 games experience, 18 premiership medallions, six All Australian honours, a Norm Smith Medal and two Peter Crimmins Medals between them.

Their replacements? Conor Glass (2 games), Kaiden Brand (24), Ryan Burton (21), Billy Hartung (59), Brendan Whitecross (104) and James Sicily (40).

This group of six has played a total of 250 games.

There's a reason there's a buzz of excitement around the Ricoh Centre at the moment.

Read: Clarkson impressed by young defensive unit

Rioli, Stratton and Frawley have not played since Round 8, Gibson since Round 12, Puopolo has missed the last five games and Birchall has had a horrid run, playing only five games for the year. 

Yet the Hawks are not just surviving without these stars, but taking it up to the best sides in the competition. 

The Hawks have won four and a half of their past six games, playing each of the top four premiership fancies over that period. 

Conor Glass has burst onto the scene with his pinpoint foot skills. Kaiden Brand held Lance Franklin to one goal on Friday night. Ryan Burton is favourite to take home this year’s Rising Star award. Billy Hartung is averaging a career-high 21.3 disposals this season. And James Sicily has shown he will not take a step back on the big stage.

We dearly miss our heroic premiership stars, but we remain a happy team at Hawthorn.