HAWTHORN recruit Jack Scrimshaw had an early chance for his new football reality to sink in when he dined at a Greek restaurant recently with legendary coach Alastair Clarkson.

The former Gold Coast defender's father, David, and Clarkson's family were also there for the get-together as the Hawks begin Operation Rebuild a top-10 pick. 

Scrimshaw's tumultuous two seasons at the Suns came to an end in October, when Hawthorn traded for the 2016 No.7 draft pick to give him a second shot at getting it right. 

They were mutually ready to move on from each other despite the prodigiously talented Scrimshaw still having two years left on a contract worth about $400,000 a season.

"I had dinner with 'Clarko' the other week and that was a bit surreal – I think dad was a bit excited as well about that, being a Hawthorn supporter," Scrimshaw told reporters.

"We went to a Greek restaurant and it was all about footy. 

"Dad probably stole the spotlight a lot; just asking about footy and stuff like that. Clarko's got a really great family, so they were able to host us really well."

Scrimshaw was just another Hawk at Xavier College's sun-drenched Kew campus on Monday, training alongside the likes of Blake Hardwick, James Worpel, Mitch Lewis, Marc Pittonet and Dylan Moore.

Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell – after minor surgery to repair his injured AC joint – James Sicily, Dan Howe and recruit Darren Minchington were among those to report early. 

The senior Hawthorn footballers aren't due to resume training until December 3, while their younger clubmates are heading to Papua New Guinea on Tuesday to trek the Kokoda Trail. 

"It's good to see Tom Mitchell back early and I've learned a whole lot about him already today and he's just the ultimate professional, so it's good to learn off blokes like him," Scrimshaw said. 

"It's sort of sinking in a little bit now (that he has joined Hawthorn), being here and being amongst it – and I think it will sink in a little bit more when the senior boys start to roll in. 

"But at the moment it's a great feeling and I'm looking forward to what's ahead." 

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Scrimshaw had a couple of serious family issues to cope with during his time at Gold Coast, on top of some injuries and teething problems in his transition to being a full-time footballer. 

"I think it took me a while to get used to it all, and being injured the majority of the time didn't help," he said. 

"I was in rehab a lot of the time and wasn't able to get my body right and get out on the track as much as I like, so now the body's feeling really good, it's a good opportunity to get some good training under my belt and look for a solid year next year. 

"I definitely learned a lot at the Suns in terms of professionalism and stuff like that and how to go about things, so I think I'm well equipped now." 

Scrimshaw, who grew up a passionate Hawks fan, paused for a moment when asked whether it was an amicable parting from the Suns.

"It wasn't too bad. It was easy, only being there for two years, so it was just the best thing for me, but I left a few good mates behind but that's about it," he said. 

"For me, I know it's the best thing.

"I was obviously struggling up at the Gold Coast, so I felt like if I was able to get home with friends and family … then I'd be able to make the most out of myself. 

"Coming to the Hawks, such a great club, I really feel like I'll be able to improve here as a player and a person as well, so I'm looking forward to it."