After losing the 2012 AFL Grand Final against the Sydney Swans, Hawthorn participated in the 2012 AFL Draft and traded Tom Murphy and Clinton Young to the Gold Coast and Collingwood respectively via the free agency system.
The club also picked up Jonathan Simpkin from Geelong.
During the main trade period, the Hawks picked up former Western Bulldogs backman Brian Lake and Sydney Swans forward Matthew Spangher and offloaded Stephen Gilham to Greater Western Sydney.
Hawthorn win 12 games in a row from round 2 to 14.
Equal 1961 as club's longest winning run.