Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says he is hopeful and excited to see crowds back to games next year as he takes charge of the club's new era.

Mitchell said the Hawks fans have been “fantastic” during a challenging and disrupted last two years.

“We had over 77,000 members last year – and that’s with two years of not being able to go to the footy,” Mitchell said.

“I think one of the great things we’re looking forward to is getting those people back. I think our members have been really, really strong.”

Mitchell inspired by players’ faith in future direction

Mitchell oversaw the Hawks' pre-season campaign on Monday as five new draftees joined a several senior players, including Jack Gunston and James Sicily.

The two experienced stars are in line to return next season following long injury layoffs this year.

Mitchell said it was pleasing to see some of the senior players join in for training earlier than required as the first-to-four-year players commenced their pre-season last week.

“Our playing group has been really strong in just trying to push their own standards to try to improve," he said.

“We’ve seen some of the younger guys training really well, but we’ve also seen some of the senior players coming in today and last week and they’re coming along really well too.

“Having these more senior players around is a great thing for the young guys.”

Sicily missed the entire 2021 season with a knee injury and Gunston managed just one game because of back issues, but Mitchell is hopeful the two leaders will be fit and firing next year.

The Hawks will take a slow and steady approach with Gunston, who is set to resume ball work next week.

"He's running well, he's keen to get involved," Mitchell said.

"I think last time he was trying to get back and push himself but this time he's just got full faith in the medical team.

"He probably could be doing a little bit more but they're trying to ease him into it and keep him nice and safe."

Mitchell said he was not going to “put a ceiling” on what his group could achieve and do in 2022.

“We’re not really looking very far ahead at the moment, we’re looking at what is right in front of us and what we’ve got to do on a day-to-day basis to get the best out of ourselves.

"We'll be putting our plans together and trying to make sure everyone knows what each other are doing on the field, and we'll be trying to play the best footy that we can.

"We're going to try our very, very best to get aligned, get on the same page and figure out the game style that will give us the best chance for success."

Hawthorn secured prized target Josh Ward at Pick 7 overall in last week's national draft and added fellow Victorian prospects Sam Butler (23), Connor MacDonald (26), Jai Serong (53) and Ned Long (rookie draft) to their list.

Ward, who has barracked for Hawthorn since he was a child, said it felt amazing to be part of the club.

"It's a great honour (to be the Hawks' top selection), but once we all got here it's just down to footy really and about putting in the work and earning the respect of your teammates,” Ward said.

"We all start at the same spot and it feels amazing to be at Hawthorn – it's a dream come true – but I'm just trying to focus on getting to work now."

While the draftees enjoyed a light session on Monday, Serong said he was eager to increase the intensity in the coming weeks.

“We’re all really excited to get into it, the boys have been really welcoming and helped us transition really well,” he said.

Mitchell said the five fresh faces had settled in well since arriving to the club late last week.

“They’ve all fitted in nicely, they’re all finding their way,” Mitchell said.

“They feel like they’re going to fit in really well, we were able to do a little bit of training today, they look sharp.

“There is a little bit of fear in the eyes for what’s to come, but I think they’re all ready for the challenge.”