Sam Mitchell has written to Hawthorn members following the club's trade period, urging them to believe in the current list management strategy.
Questions have been raised over the Hawks’ plans in recent days after trading out Jaeger O'Meara, Tom Mitchell and Jack Gunston.
It follows the retirements of Ben McEvoy and Liam Shiels, leaving Luke Breust as the only player on the club’s list over 30.
Stunningly, James Worpel – who spent part of 2022 in the VFL – is the only member left of Hawthorn’s six-man leadership group in 2021.
Mitchell says the Hawks “must stick to our plan” and added: “there is absolutely no ceiling on what this group can achieve or speed limit on how quickly it can be done.”
It comes after Port Adelaide Hall of Famer Kane Cornes on Wednesday declared Hawthorn is giving itself “no chance” in 2023.
But Mitchell is resolute in the direction of the club.
“Last year you saw the first stages of this. The emergence of (Jai) Newcombe, (Mitch) Lewis, (Ned) Reeves and (Dylan) Moore were the first externally noticeable signs of the direction we are heading,” Mitchell said in the letter.
“This year we averaged fielding more players aged 23 and under per game than any other AFL club. What we are seeing is a group of players come through our program together and look to be part of our next premiership team.
“This year's free agency and trade period was the next step in a longer plan to develop our list and return to premiership contention.”
The Hawks last won a premiership in 2015 and haven’t tasted September action since 2018. Given this, Mitchell – who succeeded Alastair Clarkson at the conclusion of the 2021 season – is hopeful the club’s young core can build sustained success.
“To be honest - we don’t get there (premiership contention if we follow the path of least resistance,” his statement read.
“This is about building our next phase of talent. I have no interest (and I know the players feel the same), to just sneak into the finals. Internally we are working on building premiership standards because only then can we become a premiership team.
“Premiership teams are not built overnight, we want to be in a position where we are competing to win it all when our time comes – whenever that may be.
“Bringing in Karl Amon, Lloyd Meek and Cooper Stephens is an important part of that process.
“So too was strengthening our selections for the upcoming draft.”
The former Hawthorn star also stated the leadership at the club wasn't expected to suffer, highlighting the names of James Sicily, Dylan Moore, Blake Hardwick, Jarman Impey and Mitch Lewis.
Hawthorn finished 13th in 2022 and takes four picks inside the top 50 to November’s National Draft.