Hawthorn young gun Josh Ward didn't see his AFL breakout year coming.
Frustrated at his own lack of consistency across his first three seasons, Ward believed he had made significant progress in his development when 2025 rolled around.
But the talented midfielder was left out of the Hawks' team for their season opener amid a battle for spots in a high-powered engine room.
"I wasn't sure what to expect coming into this year," Ward told AAP.
"I felt like I had improved a lot as a player and was ready to take my chance if it came.
"But obviously we've got a deep midfield and a lot of good players there so I wasn't sure what would happen."
Teammate James Worpel's ankle injury opened the door for Ward in week two and the 22-year-old hasn't looked back, stringing together 22 consecutive games leading into Saturday's elimination final against GWS at Engie Stadium.
The 2021 No.7 draft pick has averaged 20.7 disposals and 3.2 clearances in that time, establishing himself in the Hawks' best line-up.
"I got my chance early on and I was happy to be able to take it and play my role," Ward said.
"I've had some good games in there and some not-so-good games as well.
"But I've learnt a lot this year about what good footy looks like for me and how to prepare for games and prepare my mind so I can bring my strengths.
"I've really enjoyed it and hopefully I can keep it going."
Ward credits midfield coach David Hale with nurturing his development, but is also quick to highlight club psychologist Ed Barlow's valuable contribution behind the scenes.
"Ed Barlow has been huge for me in developing some strategies where in a game if I had a few mistakes or have had a quiet patch I'm sort of able to get back in the groove of things or stay in the game," Ward said.
"He's been really helpful.
"(Hale and Barlow) would be two and obviously Sam (Mitchell) has had some good bits of advice."
Ward shone in his first final, tallying 22 disposals, five clearances and nine tackles in last year's elimination-final victory over the Western Bulldogs.
He featured again in the following week's loss to Port Adelaide and is excited to be back on the big stage, believing anything is possible for the eighth-ranked Hawks.
"If we win four games from here we win the premiership," Ward said.
"It feels like if there's any year that a team can win it from outside the top four it will be this year.
"We're definitely in with a chance."
