Four Hawthorn AFL-listed players set to play in the club's preliminary final on Saturday fronted the media this week.
Each one referenced the buzz generated by Box Hill reaching the VFL grand final.
The Hawks will compete in the VFL grand final at Ikon Park on Sunday against Geelong after a season where a stable squad of VFL players has complemented a healthy AFL list.
Box Hill is one of only two VFL alignments still standing, alongside Casey, and it has provided a strong platform in 2026, in particular.
The Hawks have had eight debutants in 2026 whose AFL careers have been set up by strong form and strong development at state league.
"I think the Hawks recruiting team has definitely done very well this year because all the new the new crop, or everyone who got drafted this year, is all very, very talented in their own respect," forward Brodie McLaughlin told Zero Hanger.
Box Hill played its 500th VFL match this year, proving the strength of the alignment and coach Sam Mitchell, who previously coached Box Hill, has regularly praised the VFL program.
Hawthorn co-captain Jai Newcombe is also a product of the Hawks VFL system, while former VFL coach Zane Littlejohn took up an AFL role at North Melbourne this year.
"Both (programs) are fully invested in each other, our people are working at Hawthorn in a full-time capacity, our coaches are being promoted onto other opportunities, players are getting drafted, staff are getting opportunities, so I think that speaks to how well both clubs are functioning and we hope that continues," coach David Mirra told Zero Hanger.
"This year what's been important is we've introduced six first-year players, and they've all been terrific in terms of their buy-in to the Box Hill program.
"Whatever is done at Hawthorn, we try to mirror at Box Hill, so when they get an opportunity, while it might be more intense, it isn't too different.
"It gives our players a really good grounding, and head of development Daniel Giansiracusa has had a big impact in all the guys' success as well."
The Hawks have played in two high-quality and tense finals, getting over the line against an Essendon VFL side chock full of AFL-listed talent by seven in the preliminary final after overcoming Werribee by 13 points in the qualifying final.
They will be without AFL-listed Sam Butler for the game after he failed to have his suspension overturned at the VFL tribunal, but are likely to have 15 AFL-listed players, with ruck Ned Reeves a strong chance to return.
"We've been in close games for most of the year; it's felt like," Mirra said.
"We've had a lot of practice in close games, and we do a lot of work in the mental space, and we prepare for those situations, and if that's the case on the weekend, we'll be prepared, and it gives us a bit of confidence that whatever the game throws at us, we can handle."
VFL team of the year captain and club skipper Stu Horner has led the strong contingent of state-league players in the squad.
"When you become a captain it can be difficult to stay at a high level, but he's elevated his game and has put together his best season - he's rarely beaten and is really composed with the ball," Mirra said.
Mirra and many across the Hawks program are also optimistic about the upside of Tom Farrer, who has established himself as a key player with AFL attributes.
"Tommy had a really strong summer and has set his season up magnificently well," Mirra said.
"He's so versatile in what he brings to the team; we use him as a bit of a Swiss Army knife, and his ability to run out games and run his opponent off his legs is impressive, and he's a mature kid, and if he continues, he's someone who could get an opportunity at the highest level, but if not, he'll be a very good player at VFL level for a long time."
