Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has flagged a desire to "heavily go to the draft" this year as the Waverley club continues to focus on its future.
The Hawks have seen glowing results in a number of their neophytes in 2022, with none better than the breakout year of key forward Mitch Lewis.
But while Mitchell has the Hawks humming in his first year at the club, the four-time premiership understands his core group have a long way to go.
Last year, the Hawks were equipped with multiple second-round selections after acquiring Collingwood's future pick the year prior, giving Sam Mitchell access to Sam Butler (Pick 23) and Connor MacDonald (26) following the recruitment of Josh Ward at Pick 7.
A similar, if not stronger, hand at this year's draft is sure to be in Hawthorn's sights as they brace for another season among the bottom half of the competition.
When quizzed on Hawthorn's planning ahead of the off-season, Mitchell spoke on the need to continue to hone his list, while noting there is still some focus on the rounds ahead.
"I think every club would love more early draft picks," Mitchell said on Wednesday.
"We know we need more talent on our list. Every club is trying to build talent and build the age-appropriate talent for the position that list is in.
"A part of that for us is to heavily go to the draft and we'll try and improve our draft hand in lots of different ways.
"We've got to improve our playing list, and there's lots of different mechanisms now to be able to do that with the draft, free agency, pre-season draft, mid-season draft and we're going to continue to out as much talent into our list as we can."
After 19 rounds, the Hawks currently hold Picks 6, 24, 50, 61 and 78 for the 2022 National Draft and will be looking to add to an already impressive draft haul from 2021.
VIEW: 2022 AFL DRAFT ORDER
But to add further top 30 picks, Mitchell and the Hawks will need to get creative in their negotiations.
Veteran quartet Tom Mitchell, Chad Wingard, Jack Gunston and Jaeger O'Meara have been in the middle of ceaseless speculation since their senior coach stepped into the top job, each having their name linked to the exit at Bunjil Bagora.
While there has been little to suggest the Hawks could part ways with any of the aforementioned four in 2022, Mitchell will be forced to consider his options should the Hawks have the desire of landing another first-round selection.
Already home to a plethora of developing defensive talent, the Hawks' focus at the draft will likely be fixed on their middle and forward thirds, particularly if any of O'Meara, Mitchell Wingard or Gunston depart.
Sam Mitchell has managed to get the best out of ball-winner Jai Newcombe in just 13 months at the club, while their top selection from last year in Ward has blossomed in recent weeks after overcoming concussions through the midriff of this year.
2022's crop of next-gen phenoms will again be rich with midfielders, headlined by Brisbane father-son prospect Will Ashcroft and Oakleigh Chargers duo George Wardlaw and Elijah Tsatas.
Should the Hawks hold onto the sixth pick, which could fall a further two places in the queue given the Lions' likely matched bid and a potential compensation selection for North Melbourne, they certainly won't be short of options.
Dandenong Stingray's midfielder Mitch Szybkowski and Geelong Falcons captain Jhye Clark could both fill voids in the middle, while bolter Aaron Cadman and fellow key forward Matt Jefferson could be of fitting value for clubs holding top 10 picks.
Brisbane, Essendon, Fremantle and even North Melbourne are among the clubs that could consider trading their first selections.
The Lions will be happy to split their first, and potentially second, pick to accumulate points and secure father-son pair Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher, while Essendon may look toward a Mitchell, O'Meara or Wingard type come the trade period.
But while a large focus for Hawthorn will be on their next intake of young talent and further list building, Mitchell isn't setting a timeframe on their return to September.
"There's no ceiling for us," he said.
"We don't really talk about 'this is how long it'll take, this is the year, this is when our premiership window is open'. All I know is the group we have right now, are embedded and have a great understanding of the path that we're on, and to go as fast as we can in that direction.
"Every month we do a review of the last month to see if we've made progress from the month before.
"We've done that this week, and we'll look to continue to make a further step forward. Over the off-season we'll do the same thing, and then the first four rounds of next season we'll continue to make progress.
"At some point when we end up on the ladder where we'd like want to be, nothing will really change in my point of view. We'll continue to try and make progress to the utopia every coach is after."
The Hawks will be eyeing their eighth win of the year when they face St Kilda on Saturday at Marvel Stadium, with a victory seeing the brown and gold surpass their wins tally of yesteryear.
