Hawthorn ruckman Ned Reeves believes the club has the midfield cattle to ensure they take the next step towards a fifth premiership fewer than 20 years.
The Hawks were adamant on bolstering their on-ball brigade throughout 2025, eyeing Zach Merrett, Harley Reid and Christian Petracca, whilst also failing to convince James Worpel to stay in the brown and gold.
They ranked 12th for total clearances and dropped one spot in centre clearances, which have become a pivotal scoring source.
In the end, Sam Mitchell didn't lure any mature-age talents; instead, adding three midfielders out of their five draftees.
Speaking to Zero Hanger, Reeves was reassured by the development of Henry Hustwaite and Cameron Mackenzie, who are helping improve the group's midfield standing in the competition, having spent significant time with the emerging duo in the VFL.
"We're a tight midfield group," Reeves told Zero Hanger.
"There's 15 of us in the WhatsApp. It's been a similar group for three to four years, which has been really helpful.
"Me, Meeky (Lloyd Meek) and Ramo (Max Ramsden) have been together for four years now, and then the inner midfield have all been a while now, but obviously losing Worps is a shame. He was a big part of that.
"But I think playing Box Hill most of last year with Hus and Cam Mackenzie, I got to see them dominate that level, and the only reason they weren't playing (in the seniors) was that our midfield was doing really well at AFL level.
"They're definitely ready to be given more responsibility, which they'll have to be this year.
"Hus can really help with that clearance-beast role that Worpel had, and 'Frenchie' would be more polished on the outside. I think with getting) Daysy (Will Day) back, and that midfield is pretty dangerous.
"Don't even need Merrett."
A key part of the club's fortunes will be the availability of star midfielder Will Day, who took major strides toward becoming a top-tier player of the competition before he was struck down by injury.
Day played six games in 2025, but many couldn't forget his Opening Round performance against Sydney, earning him three Brownlow votes from his 26 disposals and three goals.
He also received recognition for his efforts against the Giants in Tasmania, which was the beginning of the end of his year.
Taking a cautious approach with his recovery, Reeves revealed that Day is "flying", and should be raring to go by the start of 2026.
"He's going really well," the Hawks ruck said.
"Slightly modified program, but that's more in terms of load management rather than injury.
"They're obviously being pretty careful with him. I've done a couple of running sessions with him over the last few days, and he's flying. He's fit. It almost annoys him how slow and careful they (club doctors) are. He wants to do more all the time."
Electrifying small forward Nick Watson is also poised to see more midfield time in 2026, with the Hawks slowly building his knowledge and craft in the role.
Watson is one of the game's most exciting front-half players, and has seen brief on-ball minutes in his first two seasons in the AFL.
But the former Pick 5 has already begun learning the structures and set-ups in anticipation of a more prominent place in Mitchell's midfield.
"I think we will for sure," Reeves said of Watson.
"Towards the end of last season, he was getting more time in there, especially around stoppages and centre bounce, where there's space with the 6-6-6 rule, he can be so damaging.
"We're still bringing him into a few meetings and our structure sessions so we can get across the theory and set-ups so that we can let him off the chain."
The Hawks begin their 2026 season against GWS in Opening Round at Engie Stadium.
