It's remarkable jump after he was the last man added to new coach Brian Goorjian's roster as an injury replacement for young-gun Dan Grida. Ogilvy's the first to admit things looked "touch and go" but Goorjian was ultimately sold on the three-time All-NBL First Team member's experience.

"I was pretty grateful just to have a job with the way the team was going, I wasn't sure if I was even going to get a roster spot," Ogilvy said.

"I was counting my blessings for just being on the team but, when I came back and spoke to him about the role he wanted me to play, Goorj obviously wanted me to take more of a leadership role because we do have a lot of youth.

"That's something I've really focused on over the last few months. I don't think I actually had to change a whole lot of what I was doing, I just put a bit more energy into it, especially with so many new guys in the team.

"To go from that position to leading the team is really exciting and a bit of a shock too. I didn't expect it, but to be able to lead this team in the direction we're heading in is really exciting."

In what's arguably the most talent-stacked roster in the foundation club's history, Ogilvy remains the closest link to its blue-collar DNA.

The 32-year-old is the only surviving player from the "over-achieving" Hawks teams that reached the semi-finals and a grand final series under Rob Beveridge in his first two seasons in Wollongong.

With Goorjian at the helm under a new ownership, the club's unlikely to carry it's traditional battlers tag in the 2021 campaign, but Ogilvy won't be shedding that ethos as skipper.

"You look at where people have ranked us and use that as motivation, chip on the shoulder type stuff, because I think we'll always be very underrated," Ogilvy said.

"We've got 11 guys who can play legitimate minutes in this league, with our athletic wings we're going to really be able to get out and run.

"That top to bottom athleticism is something I haven't experienced here before and I think people are going to be very surprised with the depth and athleticism this group has.

"We don't mind people looking down their noses at us at this point of the season. Once the seasons starts I think we're really going to shock a few people and turn some heads."

It may have come as a surprise given his late addition to the roster, but Goorjian said Ogilvy was "the clear choice" to skipper the club into a new era.

"When we came here and assembled this team, every player arrived with a clean slate," Goorjian said.

"We were keen to see what everyone brought to the table, and after working with the team for a while, it's clear that AJ is the right man to lead the squad this season.

"I think leadership is a skill, and one that is just as important as shooting, passing or defending. AJ has that skill in spades. I'm looking forward to working with him to not only develop his role as a leader, but also help create leaders around him throughout the season.

"He's earned this. He's an important part of the club and an important player on our roster. It's really great for him, for this team and for the Illawarra region."