After losing their opening five games of the season, the Hawks are 7-7 and rapidly closing on the top eight.

“I was rapt with the way we handled that moment – it could have easily pulled us apart, but it didn’t,” Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said of Martin’s goal.

“Sometimes, particularly in the last couple of years, it’s been ‘I hope we can do these things’, whereas there’s a little bit more belief now – not just from me, but from the players in particular.”

But as he has repeatedly over the last few weeks, Mitchell reiterated post-match that they are far from the finished product.

As Hawthorn go into the mid-season bye, Mitchell also noted that late-season fatigue could also be an issue for his young side.

“There’s a lot of stuff in our game that wasn’t as sharp as we’re going need to be, to play against the Sydneys of the world,” he said.

“We re-set our season, and can a young group continue to drive (their progress … if I’m honest, I’m a bit disappointed we have the bye, because we have some momentum and belief.”