Well aware of the doubts that Hokball is a sustainable AFL phenomenon, James Sicily says Hawthorn cannot just rinse and repeat.
The Hawks skipper is excited in the wake of their barnstorming finish to last season, but cautions they must find something more if they are to build on reaching a semi-final.
After starting with five-straight losses, Hawthorn brilliantly built momentum and made their first finals series since 2018.
They were one of the stories of the season, unleashing the aggressive game style and extroverted attitude they christened "Hokball".
It is now a question of whether last year was a flash in the pan, or whether Hawthorn can build on their sudden success.
"We've gone to work, there's a lot more trust, a lot more confidence, not taking it for granted that we're just going to be able to roll that out again," Sicily told AAP.
"If we do, that won't be good enough because we fell two or three games short (last year).
"Now it's a different sort of pressure - expectation and maybe perhaps some people wanting to see that downfall as well and not live up to it.
"We're excited, we're a close group and I'd be lying if I say I know what's going to happen and how we're going to go. We're just going to give it our best shot and hopefully we can go better than last year."
What last season proved beyond doubt is that Hawthorn can turn things around and compete with the AFL's top teams.
"I was definitely happy to see how we were able to turn it around," he said.
"I'm very proud that we have a group of guys that is able to do that and not drop their bundle.
"Just because something sucks at the start doesn't mean it's going to be like that for the whole year. To be able to make change and believe in one another, trust what's going on around us with our coaching staff ... that's what has made this season so exciting."
There was also significant change in the off-season, with Josh Battle and Tom Barrass joining Hawthorn and delighting fellow key defender Sicily.
"It does free me up. The defence is pretty rock-solid, when you think of the names who are in the back line," he said.
"I was very happy - I was getting into (recruiters) Jarryd Roughead and Mark McKenzie, making sure that we're going full-noise trying to get them."
Hawthorn's success last year means a better fixture, with their Gather Round match against Port Adelaide a big highlight.
Port narrowly beat the Hawks in last year's semi-final and the end of the match was marked by a heated on-field confrontation featuring Sicily and Power coach Ken Hinkley.
"I know the AFL has and everyone is trying to add a little bit of theatre to it," Sicily said of their re-match in April at Adelaide Oval.
"It's another game. What's happened has happened. We're just keen to be cracking into the season - definitely not from my mind, any rivalry building.
"They got the better of us twice (last season) and that's footy."
