HAWTHORN is like a political party rising in the polls, with lots of familiar faces and even more unknowns. The faces of Hawthorn consist of Shane Crawford, Trent Croad, Sam Mitchell and a stellar set of recruits that make up "new Hawthorn", foremost among them Lance Franklin.

The faceless include, among others, Grant Birchall, Brad Sewell, Clinton Young, Ben McGlynn and Stephen Gilham, who are all making an impact now.

Birchall, 19, was a first-round pick in 2005 who excelled in his debut season, yet got none of the rave notices of, say, Dale Thomas. The latter four are graduates from the rookie list, identifiable only with the help of the AFL Record.

"People like to pick favourites. Buddy Franklin is one of those," said assistant coach Todd Viney. "He is exciting; you only have to listen to the crowd when he gets the footy to understand that.

"But the likes of Birchall, McGlynn, Gilham, they just go about their business. They might not get the media attention, but they're appreciative of the fact that they've got the chance to play AFL footy."

Hawthorn has something of a tradition of nurturing ex-rookies; there are seven on its current list. Its connection with Box Hill is stronger than between any other set of affiliated clubs and has served it well.

"Confidence is one of the biggest things in footy," Viney said. "McGlynn (who is 174 centimetres) would have been told that he was too small to play AFL footy, and perhaps his skills weren't up to scratch. Gilham would have been told he was too light to play as a key-position defender. They would have heard more negatives than positives.

"A lot of the time, we look for the perfect player. Good coaches identify a player's strengths and are willing to help him work through the weaknesses, but say, 'Let's not forget how good their strengths are'."

Gilham was drafted in the first round to Port Adelaide in 2002, but struggled to put on weight and break into a side then at the peak of its powers, and played only one senior game in three years. Hawthorn rookie-listed him last year. "He's still not a monster like Mal Michael," said Viney, "but he's smart, polished and knows how to cut down angles."

Gilham said he had begun to despair at Port. "There were times when I questioned whether I was good enough," he said. "Living away from home, family, your whole support network, playing for North Adelaide, getting badly beaten every week — there were times when you do question it."

Nonetheless, he said, he was grateful to have been at Port in a powerful era; it had taught him much. When there was an exodus from Port to Hawthorn — coach Alastair Clarkson, assistant coach Damien Hardwick, development coach Geoff Morris, recruiter Chris Pelchen and conditioning coach Mark Russell — it seemed only natural to follow.

As a rookie, his pay packet was smaller, but — back at home — so were his expenses. At Box Hill, Hawthorn always seemed within reach. "The record speaks for itself," he said.

He remembers as a turning point before his first game for Hawthorn late last year, against Carlton. "Damien Hardwick came past and said he had every confidence in me because I'd been around a winning culture and knew what it took to win," he said. "That was great, coming from him."

Biding his time at Box Hill, Gilham formed a close friendship with McGlynn, now his roommate on interstate trips. As ever between good friends, nothing is sacred.

"I know Benny likes wearing the headband for the extra attention he gets," said Gilham. "He worries about a scar he copped in a head clash with Matthew Lloyd in the pre-season. He rubs this little bit of oil into it after every shower, just to make sure it improves."

McGlynn is from Wentworth in southern NSW, home town also to Hawks' captain Richie Vandenberg, and the families are friends. Overlooked in the draft, he found a place on Hawthorn's rookie list.

"He's not your ideal AFL build," Viney said. "He's only a small fellow, probably even smaller than Clarko.

"The thing about him is that he's shown from day one that he wanted to play at the highest level and was prepared to do anything to get there. He's really motivated."

McGlynn said he believed in the system because it afforded second chances. At Box Hill, he heard repeatedly the story of Sam Mitchell, the little rover who could. "If you want it bad enough, it will come," he said.

Nonetheless, he did wonder if he might be invisible. "It's pretty tough," he said. "You're doing all the same work as the senior guys are doing, for less money.

Then his chance came, for promotion, then a game. Still, it was a battle.

When called back into the side as a late replacement in the first round this year, a teammate said: "Take the opportunity. Make sure you're not the one getting pushed back out of the side." McGlynn thought to himself: "They've got faith in me."

Now he's sharing a house with a cousin and other friends from Wentworth and feeling nearly at home.

"It's been a long journey, but it's been rewarding in the end," he said.

He and Gilham say they feel they are growing into the affections of the Hawks.

"You get a bit of recognition among the Hawthorn fans," Gilham said. "A few more people know your name, which is good. Family day, they're asking for your autograph, which makes you feel more a part of it."

Rejoined McGlynn: "The thing for young guys is to play good footy among the senior guys and get their respect."

Viney rejoices in the mix of big names and no-names in the Hawthorn hierarchy. He notes that Sewell finished third in the best-and-fairest last year. "He wasn't too far from winning it, to tell you the truth," he said.

Young was exciting, too.

"He's got 30 touches a couple of games," Viney said. "He's a beautiful, long left-foot kick. Young and Birchall are 100-metre players: every time they get the ball, they carry it, then kick it 60 metres." Of Birchall, he said simply: "He's a jet."

Necessarily, the Hawthorn catalogue is made up of marquee brands and house brands. Fortunately for the Hawks, the house brands are moving well.