Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston says the competition for spots in the forward line is a "healthy thing" as the Hawks work through how it'll set up inside 50 following the acquisition of Ben King.
The goal-kicking gun left Gold Coast and joined the Hawks via free agency, causing a squeeze inside 50, resulting in Aidan Schubert (Gold Coast) and Max Ramsden (delisted) falling out of favour.
Father-son product Calsher Dear, despite Melbourne's best attempts, re-signed for two years, but spent most of 2026 in the VFL.
Gunston, who has revived his career despite heading towards the end, kicking 73 and 66 goals in the past two years, is excited by the inclusion of King and the Hawks' prospects in 2027.
"There are a few players in (the forward line) now," he said following the club's unveiling of BYD as its new major sponsor.
"It is exciting. The good teams I've been a part of have had multiple avenues to goal, and you want to make sure there's plenty of options going forward, and bringing Ben in is super for our footy club. He's a great talent and just knows how to kick goals, and that's what you need to do to win games.
"There'll be competition for spots, and that's a healthy thing.
"I'm sure it's up to Sam and Hick (Adrian Hickmott) in how it all looks. We want to create different options, different looks going forward, and if I need to go higher for a couple of minutes, then I'll be happily going back to the goal square."
King wasn't the only big name to join Hawthorn in the off-season, with Zach Merrett finally getting his wish in being traded from Essendon to the arch rival.
North Melbourne's Josh Goater is also a handy inclusion from a defensive point of view.
"We've brought in some players to add to that list," Gunston said.
"Just to lower the eyes and hit me on the lead, that'd be nice. He's a quality player. He can play multiple roles, and you've seen that at Essendon when he was there. He's a leader. He's been a captain for so long there.
"He's going to be great for the younger guys here, who will pick his brain. He seems like a guy who works, and works, and works and comes in and does the hours. I was fortunate to play with Ben and Zach for Victoria earlier this year. They're both professional."
Senior coach Sam Mitchell says Merrett won't need to produce similar performances - and big statistical numbers - to fit into the Hawks squad.
"We don't look at the statistics and numbers too much. Our playing group is very driven on team success," Mitchell said.
"I think Zach has been a work in progress to get to the club, and has been firm in his sights that he wants team success. If that means big numbers, then great. If it means less, then that's okay as well."
Gunston enters his 18th year in the AFL after beginning his career at Adelaide in 2010.
After more than 300 games, multiple premierships and individual accolades, the lure of more team success is what keeps him going, despite the 35-year-old age banner that accompanies him.
"Definitely have a good break," Gunston said.
"I think the excitement of being a team in contention keeps your mind fresh, your body fresh. I said in my 300th, it's addictive to win premierships, and to see how hungry this group is, and as Sam said, there's plenty of guys here, plenty of guys off-site training; you want to keep up, you want to stay fit.
"It's an exciting time to be at Hawthorn. Going into your 18th year, it's the joy the younger guys bring to keep you fresh."
Hawthorn fell short of a Grand Final berth in 2026 after going down to eventual premiers Brisbane in arguably the best game in the penultimate week of the season.
The Hawks will kick off the new campaign against the Lions on Friday, March 19 at the MCG.
