If Hawthorn is hoping to shape new recruit Tom Mitchell into a future club leader, the Swans turncoat seems willing.
Yet to play an AFL game in his new colours, Mitchell has already drawn praise with former captain Luke Hodge heralding the 23-year-old's competitiveness.
And with the departure of senior players including Sam Mitchell, Brad Hill and Jordan Lewis, and captain Jarryd Roughead aged 30, the club will need to fill some leadership gaps in coming years.
"Who knows what can happen down the track, hopefully I can contribute in that way, in a leadership role," Mitchell said.
"You only have to look around and see the quality leaders we have at our club.
"It's great to be able to learn from those guys and see how they go about it in their day-to-day training, how they help other players improve.
"I'm just trying to learn from their example and follow their lead."
But Hodge reckons Mitchell's natural leadership skills are already showing through.
"At every stoppage drill he's teaching blokes what to do," the former captain said in early February.
Mitchell wasn't part of the Hawks' line-up which scored a four-point win over Geelong in their pre-season contest at Launceston on Friday night.
He's hopeful to make his club debut on February 26 when the Hawks meet North Melbourne at Arden Street.
"I'd like to put my hand up to get up for the next game," Mitchell said on the sidelines of a school coaching clinic in Hobart.
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