ISAAC Smith is the time trial king at Hawthorn once again, streeting the field to win the 2.2km run at Waverley Park on Wednesday.
The Hawks didn't divulge the times, but the vice-captain and perennial winner finished 16 seconds faster than second-year defender Harry Morrison, who stormed home to take second place.
Irishman Conor Nash came third followed by defender Ben Stratton, and midfielders Dallas Willsmore and Jonathan O’Rourke.
The Hawks would be encouraged by O’Rourke, who managed just seven VFL games this year because of chronic hamstring injuries, while they were delighted that midfielder Jaeger O’Meara won the aerobic repeat effort test.
All but six Hawks took part in Wednesday’s run. Jack Gunston and Shaun Burgoyne have resumed training after taking part in the Virgin Australia International Rules Series, leaving only Cyril Rioli, who is attending to his father as he recovers from heart surgery, as the only absentee.
"We've started our preparations with a really healthy list, so that's a fantastic springboard for our 2018 campaign," said Hawthorn high performance manager Andrew Russell.
"Although it's great that we had a lot of guys running near their best today, the most important thing is that we have a lot of players fit, healthy and in prime condition to attack our ball program."
The Hawks will travel to New Zealand for a training camp on December 4.
Time trial top eight
1. Isaac Smith
2. Harry Morrison
3. Conor Nash
=4. Ben Stratton
=4. Dallas Willsmore
=4. Jonathan O’Rourke
=7. Daniel Howe
=7. Jack Gunston
