Leon Cameron, the man considered the frontrunner to become the Western Bulldogs’ coach last year, has been overseeing much of Hawthorn’s preparation for the 2012 AFL season.

The Hawks’ assistant coach was touted as the early favourite to replace Rodney Eade at the `Dogs in 2011, only for Brendan McCartney to be appointed in September.

However, Cameron’s still been entrusted with much responsibility in 2012.

“Leon Cameron was probably stiff not to get a head coaching job last year, and I think he’s run most of our pre-season,” Hawthorn’s 2011 best and fairest Sam Mitchell said.

“He’s been fantastic.

“He’s very clear with what he wants. Whether you’re an 18-year-old kid or a 30-year-old veteran, he knows how to communicate and get the best out of you.

“He’s run a really tight ship and hopefully we reap the benefits of that later on, when Clarko (coach Alastair Clarkson) does get more involved and has more of a say.

“He’s been around a while Clarko, so he certainly changes it up, which has been good this year.”

Mitchell said the club would be looking for the likes of Liam Shiels, Isaac Smith, Paul Puopolo, Ryan Schoenmakers and Ben Stratton to develop most in 2012.

“Most improvement you get is from those guys who have been around for one, two or three years,” he said.

“You really want them to become key players in our side.”

Smith and Puopolo were both taken as mature-age recruits in the 2010 draft.

The duo played major roles in the Hawks’ 2011 AFL season and featured in all three finals Hawthorn contested.

Mitchell believed they’d be even sharper in 2012.

“It’s not so much about their bodies, both of those guys were drafted at 22,” he said.

“I think what’s important for those guys is just understanding the way the game’s played.

“Having gone through their second AFL pre-season, they’ll have a lot more experience being able to get the best out of their bodies and will be able to perform on a consistent basis.”

Smith seems to be impressing the right people in pre-season.

“He (Smith) had an injury-hampered pre-season at the club last year due to a bout of illness, but this summer to-date he’s been scorching the track,” Clarkson told the club’s website.

“We’re anticipating that he’ll have a big impact on the progress of our side in season 2012.”

Clarkson believed Puopolo, who played predominantly in defence in 2011, was capable of entering the midfield this year.

“Just where he’ll play is yet to be determined.”