Jason Dunstall supports the Hawthorn Hawks’ scorched earth plan

“I think he [Mitchell] and the club are on the same wavelength. I imagine they had good conversations about the method, the process and the duration,” Dunstall said. “I know fans, they want to see more wins, but you just have to be patient.”

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Dunstall said the Hawks shouldn’t be judged on wins and losses.

“I’m certainly not going to judge that. They’re just looking for improvements in the little kids. I don’t think you put a cap on what they could win,” he said.

“I think if you look at the list and the form they could be potential bottom four. But something has to happen for that. Teams need good luck with injuries. You suddenly have an opportunity to play well, and that’s all you want to see from the Hawthorn roster.

“I think they have some young leaders coming out there. I like James Sicily, I think the leadership will suit him well and hopefully they can find some good young players.

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“We know it’s going to take a few years, but you can’t fix it overnight, you can’t click your fingers.”

Dunstall led a rebuild early in Alastair Clarkson’s tenure at Hawthorn when Jonathan Hay and Nathan Thompson were among the older players traded for draft picks that Lewis and Grant Birchall eventually incorporated.

“The other thing is, you’re trying to get good young players, you have to trade something… You can’t just get a lot of young players without giving up something,” he said.

Dunstall said North Melbourne also “has a tough year ahead” because of their list, but that Clarkson would improve on them in setting standards.

“They’re going to be a heck of a lot better club if they have him there and set some standards and challenge the players. No disrespect to anyone who has been there before but I think it can only help the club what it brings.”