Two days after coach Alastair Clarkson's call to arms, Hawthorn will enter the AFL trade period as one of the key players.
The Hawks have targeted departing Gold Coast player Jaeger O'Meara and are also trying to lure fellow midfielder Tom Mitchell from Sydney in the trade period, which starts in Melbourne on Monday.
They have already made an offer to Richmond's restricted free agent Ty Vickery.
Hawthorn are determined that last month's straight-sets exit from the finals is only a temporary setback after their three-straight premierships.
Clarkson again made their intentions clear in his speech at Saturday night's club best and fairest function.
"I know the footy world out there is saying 'well, 2016 thank God Hawthorn didn't win it' we're saying 'get ready we're coming again in 2017'," Clarkson said.
"To our recruiting team, Wrighty (Hawthorn recruiting manager Graham Wright), get to work, lad.
"You've got some important stuff to do over the next couple of weeks."
Hawthorn have enjoyed outstanding success with recruiting in the last few years, landing big names such as Shaun Burgoyne, Josh Gibson, Brian Lake and James Frawley.
But at this stage Hawthorn's first draft pick is not until 14 and it remains to be seen how they will pull off potential deals for O'Meara and Mitchell.
O'Meara has declared he wants to join Hawthorn, while Mitchell's intentions are unclear for now.
Fremantle will also be major trade players, particularly as they try to boost their key-position stocks.
They have been thwarted so far, with WA natives Cale Hooker (Essendon), Jesse Hogan (Melbourne) and Rory Lobb (Giants) opting to stay at their current clubs.
The AFL website has reported that the Dockers are nearing a trade deal with the Giants for forward Cam McCarthy, who tried to return to WA a year ago.
Fremantle could give up their No.3 draft pick for McCarthy.
According to PerthNow, the Dockers are also trying to snare Western Bulldogs defender Joel Hamling.
He impressed in the grand final win with his performance on Sydney star Lance Franklin.
Clubs will have their first official meetings from 10am on Monday (AEDT) at Etihad Stadium.
Deals likely to be settled early in the 10-day trade period include Travis Cloke's switch from Collingwood to the Western Bulldogs, Michael Hibberd from Essendon to Melbourne and Bradley Hill leaving Hawthorn so he can join his brother Stephen at Fremantle.
