One look at Hawthorn's last AFL finals side shows how much coach Alastair Clarkson has recast his lineup in just two years.
The team that lost the 2016 semi-final to eventual premiers the Western Bulldogs featured Grant Birchall, Josh Gibson, Bradley Hill, Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell and Cyril Rioli.
All won at least three premierships at Hawthorn.
None will play on Thursday night when the Hawks return to September, in the qualifying final against Richmond at the MCG.
Only Birchall is still at Hawthorn and he has not played in the AFL since last season.
This was already a historic match, with the Hawks and Tigers incredibly clashing in a final for the first time.
But the comparison of that 2016 side to this week's 22 shows Thursday night also marks a new era for the premiership-hungry Hawks.
Some clubs dream of returning to the finals - Clarkson is already midway through creating his next flag-winning behemoth.
Harry Morrison and James Worpel won Rising Star nominations this year, while Conor Nash is also about to have his first taste of the finals.
Fellow newcomers Teia Miles, Dave Mirra and Kaiden Brand were dropped as the Hawks recalled James Sicily, James Frawley and Jonathon Ceglar.
Hawthorn is a blend of the youngsters and a core of premiership veterans, led by captain Jarryd Roughead, Shaun Burgoyne, Luke Breust, Isaac Smith, Ben Stratton and Jack Gunston.
Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O'Meara are star recruits who add the class factor, while Sicily's timely return from injury is a big plus.
The Hawks have won their past six games, but none have been against top-four teams.
Whatever happens on Thursday night against the premiership favourites, Clarkson is keen to see it unfold.
"We're going to give ourselves every chance. We've been in OK form ourselves over the last little while, but nor have we really tested ourselves against the top echelon of the competition," he said on Wednesday.
"We get that chance tomorrow night."
Clarkson's cheeky text to Rioli, asking if he was available this September, and their bid to prepare Birchall for an unlikely finals return show they would like more experience in their lineup.
But he likes how his side is developing.
"It's an important mix," Clarkson said.
"We've seen that with the Western Bulldogs and Richmond as premiers in the last two years.
"There's been a really nice mix in their sides, of senior experience that guides and leads the way in a sense, but also some youthful enthusiasm that you need injected in your side as well."
Birchall has an adductor strain, setting back his comeback by about 10 days, and is no chance of returning unless the Hawks go deep into September.
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