SAM MITCHELL was uncompromising, combative, intelligent, and above all, relentless as a player.

Now 41 years old and Hawthorn's coach, Mitchell still has that winning mentality and fierce glint in his eye.

But being a winner alone hasn't taken the Hawks from a 0-5 start to Friday night's elimination final against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

Mitchell isn't softer, per se, but his emotional intelligence and willingness to accept Hawthorn's exuberant players for whom they are has them believing they can do something special in his third year at the helm.

Luke Breust was Mitchell's teammate for three premierships.

Now, he's getting a glimpse at the other side of Mitchell.

"Sam and I had a great relationship on the field. He was such a smart footballer," Breust, 33, recalls.

"Yeah, there were times where he was screaming at me as the ball was exiting the forward line that I'd done something wrong, or I missed a first give or something like that. He'd certainly let you know. 

"That combative nature, he was so honest and he just wanted the best for the team, and whatever that took, then he was willing to do it. 

"Has he changed? Yeah, there's still an element of that side of him where he can be brutally honest when he needs to be.

"His biggest growth has been letting these guys express themselves and be themselves in their own way, and embracing that and not squashing it."

Mitchell has openly expressed his desire to be ahead of the curve with a new game style, rather than simply following the leader.

His list-building approach arguably follows that philosophy too.

Jettisoning some experience to help add top draft picks and empower young guns to step up was the first stage.

The second part of the Hawks' resurgence has been adding bit-part players from other clubs to elevate a young, talented core.

Jack Ginnivan, Mabior Chol, Lloyd Meek and the returning Jack Gunston have been crucial additions.

Massimo D'Ambrosio, who Mitchell lured on a two-year deal as Essendon stalled on a contract offer, is another.

D'Ambrosio has transformed from a fringe flanker at Essendon to one of the competition's top wingmen.

"He's been enormous for me," D'Ambrosio said of his coach.

"I feel like he's trying to bring the best out of me every single week. 

"Early on in the year, and even now, I still have doubts going into games on my performance, but he's always bringing positive energy to me.

"I've loved playing under him the whole year, but I just can't wait to keep playing for him."

Mitchell has spoken about being the only person to work with Nick Watson on his goalkicking, to avoid oversaturating the young forward with various peoples' advice.

It's that hands-on approach that has his young group buying in.

"He's like one of the players, really," D'Ambrosio said.

"He joins in at training, he picks up on things and tells you straight out and explains it to you. 

"A lot of coaches can just tell you what you're doing wrong, but they never explain how you can get better, or how you can get to this position. 

"I feel like he's really good at that."

Especially with midfielders Will Day (collarbone) and Cameron Mackenzie (hamstring) sidelined, the Hawks are arguably up against it when they face the far more experienced Bulldogs on Friday night.

Hawthorn made just one change for the match, bringing in Josh Ward to replace Mackenzie.

The Bulldogs pulled a selection surprise by naming former Demon James Harmes for the first time since he injured a hamstring in the round 13 win over Collingwood.

Whether Hawthorn keeps the ride going or go down in flames, Mitchell's Hawks are guaranteed to keep on celebrating with aplomb.

"I feel like a lot of the boys buy into that, and there's no right or wrong thing to do," D'Ambrosio said.

"That's what Sam's created at this club, and no one's judged for what they do. So it's a great environment to be in."