Their 4-point win against St Kilda in round 22 clinched a finals series appearance for the first time since 2016, and their 10th in the last 14 seasons.
Their 9-point win over Sydney in round 23 clinched a double chance for the first time since 2016, and their 7th in the last 8 seasons.
[3] Hawthorn continued its alignment with the Box Hill Hawks Football Club in the Victorian Football League, allowing Hawthorn-listed players to play with the Box Hill Hawks when not selected in AFL matches.
Alastair Clarkson continued as the club's head coach for the fourteenth consecutive season.
[5] On 22 August 2017, it was announced Cameron Bruce was departing the club at the end of the 2017 season to join Carlton as a senior assistant coach.
[8] On 4 October 2017, Richard Garvey resigned as president of the club, with Jeff Kennett re-appointed in the role.