HAWTHORN players have avoided a premiership hangover, returning to pre-season training fit and focused on back-to-back flags, young midfielder Alex Woodward says.
Woodward, recovering from his second anterior cruciate ligament rupture, is building back towards full training as he seeks his first game of football in two years.
Joining teammates on the club's pre-Christmas training camp in South Africa, the 20-year-old observed a genuine hunger for repeat success.
"I think everyone is really motivated about trying to go back-to-back next season," Woodward told AFL.com.au.
"We've been a really focused group throughout the pre-season so far.
"We've gotten the most out of ourselves, and we've really pushed ourselves hard.
"We've got that goal in mind that we do want to win another premiership, and the boys have done really well."
For Woodward, along with fellow knee victims Matt Suckling, Ryan Schoenmakers and Brendan Whitecross, the motivation is different.
All four suffered the disappointment of watching on through September, and now desperately crave a chance to experience the same glory their teammates did.
"It really hit home last year for the four of us," Woodward said.
"The VFL team and the AFL team both won the flag, which left very few players without a medal around their neck.
"So the motivation for us is definitely to get one of those around our neck too, but in saying that, we don't want to be too keen; we just need to control ourselves and build up towards a good season, and hopefully get ourselves in a position to really have a crack at getting one of those medals."
Woodward is making steady progress in his recovery.
He was re-introduced to ball work during the South Africa camp, where he also completed a high volume of running.
All going to plan, he'll be back in full training by mid-January – a full 12 months after his latest ACL rupture.
While it is tempting to start thinking about a comeback, the former Sandringham Dragons captain is determined to stay focused only on short-term goals.
"I'm not looking towards playing games – that's too far away, especially in my situation," Woodward said.
"By the time I get back into it I want to be really comfortable and 100 per cent confident with my movements on the field.
"I've just got to keep ticking the boxes, and when it comes to the NAB Cup, hopefully I'll be ready to throw my hand up, and hopefully my training efforts will warrant a game."
Woodward has used his time on the sidelines to improve his knowledge of the game.
He has worked closely with senior Hawks Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis, Luke Hodge and Brad Sewell on the finer points of midfield play, and studied rivals closely.
At each game this season, he chose an onballer from the opposition team and took notes on how he played, finishing the year with a full dossier to draw on.
His challenge now, after two years out, will be in re-gaining match touch – something he is confident won't take long.
"I was drafted based on what I do instinctively, and that's hunt the footy and go in hard," Woodward said.
"That sort of thing comes as second nature to me.
"It's more just going to be about getting the confidence in my body to take the game on, which is what I'm working towards."
As his rehabilitation continued, Woodward also faced another, unexpected, concern.
His mum was in the Philippines visiting family when Typhoon Haiyan devastated the country in November.
Thankfully, neither his mother nor her family was hurt.
Given so many others were not so fortunate, the midfielder has since been using social media and the Hawthorn website to raise awareness of relief efforts.
"My family missed the bulk of the storm, but they still had a bit of cleaning up to do," Woodward said.
"Mum came on the day before I left for South Africa. It was good to see her safe and sound before I left.
"It was definitely a scary time."
