There were plenty of new faces out on the track as Hawthorn's full list returned to training on Monday. But it was an old face whose appearance brought the most cheer.
Jarryd Roughead is back in training with his teammates as he continues his recovery from a melanoma which had been cut from his lip in 2015 but last May was found to have recurred in his lungs.
The key forward then began a 12-month course of immunotherapy treatment, sitting out the entire 2016 season. His last game for the Hawks was the 2015 grand final win over West Coast.
But Roughead recently received encouraging news about his recovery, beginning a tailored pre-season training program. And on Monday he was out on the track at Waverley with a full contingent of teammates as the more senior Hawks who'd been on their break began their pre-season campaigns.
The 29-year-old was part of the group of forwards working on their ball skills as training got underway, just another Hawk going through his paces, and some long-time teammates were overjoyed at the sight.
"I miss playing with the big fella," said forward cohort Jack Gunston before the session got underway. "It's good to see him out there training and kicking.
"I'm sure there's a bit more water to go under the bridge, but I'm hopeful. If you look back to 10 months ago, you probably wouldn't have thought he'd be out here training. He's done a fair bit of work over the break as well, so it's great to see."
Hawthorn remains guarded about a potential return date for their star key forward, who in 2015 also provided a considerable midfield presence with his ability to win clearances from centre-square congestion. But, Gunston, like his teammates, hopes a faster-than-expected comeback is not out of the question.
"Obviously, I speak to him a bit, I know he's been training and jogging and whatnot," he said. "We're all hopeful he'll be ready. I'm sure he'll let you all know when he's ready to go. Like everyone else, I'm hopeful he'll be there in round one, but I guess his health is more important than anything else."
Gunston said the Coleman medallist and dual All-Australian was an important barometer for the club not only in terms of his playing ability, but for the enthusiasm he instilled into the playing group.
"He's got a smile on his face, he's always upbeat, and he's just one of those guys we always want around the team, because he's a good morale booster and he's a ripper bloke," Gunston said.
Roughead said in late September he was beginning to feel better after his treatment course initially knocked him around.
"I'm good at the moment. I obviously had a bit of a rough period there probably two months ago, I dropped a bit of weight getting used to the treatment," he said at the time. "But I've been good the past month or so and been able to be around the boys and have a bit of fun, which is what you want."
Roughead continued to provide a visible presence around the club during its finals campaign, working with young key forwards like James Sicily and Tim O'Brien.
But the young guns, like their crustier, older teammates, got an extra kick out of having that advice delivered from ground level on Monday as the Hawks, and their most experienced forward, took their first steps towards the 2017 season.
