Hawthorn Captain James Sicily says several young Hawks have caught his eye as the squad returned to pre-season training this week.

The playing group were greeted with another endurance test as they made it back on the track for their first session of the year on Wednesday - with Josh Weddle, Finn Maginness and Sam Butler among the stand-outs for their running. 

But Sicily said there were also several others who have come back fit and firing for 2024. 

"We've got a lot of young blokes impressing, Nick Watson is very lively and good to watch, Josh Weddle has been tracking well off a good back end of last year, and then there is Josh Ward and Connor Macdonald too," Sicily said.

"Rama (Max Ramsden) is running well so maybe there is a an opportunity there in the forward line for him.

"Everyone is gelling well, it's good fun to be back."

Set to enter his second season as captain, Sicily said he now felt more comfortable in his leadership role.

"Every pre-season I just try to do as much as I possibly can, being out there and getting involved," Sicily added.

"The body has held up pretty well and I haven't missed a beat really. 

"Second year as captain I'm feeling a little bit more comfortable in my shoes.

"The group has progressed a long way since the start of last year, we finished the backend of the year really well.

"We're now trending towards performance mode rather than development, that suits me as well as a leader, I like to let my actions do the talking and speak louder than words.

"So it's good that we're trending in that direction, it's exciting."

Hear the full chat with the skipper below!