Assistant coach Cameron Bruce believes the Hawks off-season recruiting will be the catalyst for their return to the top of the ladder in the 2017 season. 

Speaking to EON Sports Radio's The Morning Rush on Tuesday, Bruce noted that Jaeger O'Meara, Tom Mitchell and Tyrone Vickery had all acquainted themselves well with the Hawks on-field structure and general culture.

"The fresh faces that have been brought into the club have generated a lot of excitement.

"The boys are training with great intent. I haven’t seen this sort of intensity here at Hawthorn in the last few years. So there's some really exciting things to look forward to," Bruce told the radio station.

Bruce explained that O'Meara's progress was advancing strongly, mentioning that the Hawthorn medical staff had to take great credit for getting the former Gold Coast Sun back to fitness.

"(O'Meara) has been introduced to our skills sessions now. We had training the other day and he did the majority of that. He's made an impact already with his work ethic and training standards," Bruce said.

Bruce also highlighted the positive attitude that Vickery had displayed since arriving at the club, expecting his role to align similarly to a former three-time premiership Hawk.

"We see him in that David Hale role – a mobile tall forward that can pinch-hit in the ruck. He’s skilling himself up in those areas.

"He’s doing everything right to make an impact at the Hawthorn Footy Club," said Bruce.

Bruce also talked about the elation that filled the Ricoh Centre last Friday when it was announced that Jarryd Roughead would captain the Hawks in 2017.

"We see Jarryd everyday and we know what kind of character he is.

"The whole footy world would have been deeply touched and affected by his battle. So just to see him get over that and see him get rewarded with the captaincy has been great".