Hawthorn are confident one of the weapons that has enabled them to remain ahead of the AFL pack will not be hampered by a crackdown by authorities.
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The Civil Aviation and Safety Authority has announced it will rewrite regulations on drones in the new year, ensuring Australia boasts some of the most stringent rules for the small unmanned remote-controlled aircraft.
The Hawks have two drones that fly over the club's training base at Waverley, although one was damaged on Friday when it crashed during the club's open training session. The Hawks were fortunate the device, which can be repaired, did not land on any players.
The drones have been used to film training sessions, analysing such areas as running patterns, ball movement and set plays. Otherwise known as unmanned aerial vehicles with GPS, they are operated by staff from the club's information technology department.
Major growth in the general use of drones — often used by police, fire services and now even real estate agents — has prompted CASA to announce it will update its regulations.
A CASA spokesman said: "Current proximity regulations for the safe operation of unmanned aerial vehicles , or drones, have been in place for several years. These regulations state that operators should always keep the aircraft at least 30 metres away from vehicles, buildings and people not directly associated with the operation of the UAV/model aircraft."
Hawthorn chief executive Stuart Fox said the Hawks would abide by any new rules.
"Drone laws will tighten up significantly, which we will adhere to. However, I don't think it will impact on how we use them," he said.
Drones can only be used in daylight where the operator can see them. They can only be flown more than five kilometres from airports and below 121 metres.
The innovative Hawks have a special fund set aside for ideas that can help keep them at the cutting edge. It's believed they are the only club to use drones, which cost about $8000.
The Hawks trained well on Friday, with Brendan Whitecross and Matt Suckling continuing to regain fitness after post-season surgery.
Whitecross, recovering from his second knee reconstruction, ran well and is hopeful of a return by the start of the season. Suckling, having had part of his kneecap removed, is also back running. Recruit James Frawley impressed onlookers at full-back during the intra-club match, while Ryan Schoenmakers was used up forward as he attempts to reinvigorate his career.
