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Hawthorn midfielder Brad Sewell says the losing AFL grand finalists are determined to make up for an opportunity lost.
Narrowly beaten by Sydney in the 2012 premiership decider, the entire Hawks squad hit the training track at Waverley Park on Monday for the first time in the pre-season.
Former Western Bulldogs fullback Brian Lake, who has been training for the past month since joining the club in October, looked in great shape while former Carlton coach Brett Ratten led the players for a section of the training in his new role as a Hawks assistant.
“That’s behind us now and it’s a matter of knuckling down and getting back to a position where we can have another go at it,” Sewell said of the grand final loss.
“You learn a hell of a lot from those experiences.
“You spend a bit of time thinking about things but we’re chomping at the bit to give ourselves another chance.”
Sewell said two-time All-Australian defender Lake and Ratten had slotted straight in at the club, which would benefit from another set of experienced eyes to look at how the Hawks worked.
“He’s (Ratten) an experienced coach so he knows how to play the game and will be very good for us.
“It’s great to have Lakey come in who’s obviously really experienced and has played in many finals campaigns and is a proven senior player.”
The Hawks’ draftees Tim O’Brien (pick No.28) and Kaiden Brand (No.66), both from South Australia, had their first run with the squad and admitted they were a bit overwhelmed about training alongside some of their heroes.
“Before training I got to have a kick to kick with Luke Hodge,” O’Brien said.
“It’s pretty surreal and a dream come true.”
O’Brien was likely headed for Adelaide before they relinquished their draft picks due to the Kurt Tippett investigation but he was delighted to be picked up by Hawthorn.
“I had been talking to Adelaide and they let me know they lost their pick but I was over the moon to go to Hawthorn.
“It was probably the club I wanted to go to most.”
Skipper Luke Hodge, Sean Burgoyne and Jordan Lewis trained separately from the group.
The club captain had knee surgery following the 10-point grand final loss while midfielder Lewis is recovering from wrist surgery and will be held back from full contact work until February.
Burgoyne was still limping after ankle surgery.
The squad will head to the Sunshine Coast for a week-long camp next month.
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