Hawthorn is set to sacrifice young star Ryan Burton in its pursuit of Port Adelaide star Chad Wingard
HAWTHORN young gun Ryan Burton has been left shattered after the Hawks told him he will be traded for Port Adelaide star Chad Wingard while he’s overseas on holiday.
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RYAN Burton has been left shattered after Hawthorn told him he will be traded for Chad Wingard.
Burton is currently overseas on holiday, but received a phone call on Thursday night telling him he would be sacrificed for the wantaway Power forward.
Burton, so highly regarded by the Hawks he was bestowed with Sam Mitchell’s No.5 in 2016, only signed a fresh three-year contract in July last year.
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It’s understood the promising defender, 21, had been informed by the Hawks that he was not being discussed as trade bait.
But that changed dramatically when the Power told Hawthorn it would only deal with them if South Australian Burton was part of the deal.
Wingard nominated the Hawks as his club of choice, where he is expected to sign a four year deal worth about $2.5 million and unite with Alastair Clarkson, who coached him in the 2014 International Rules series.
Hawthorn also has pick 15 in next month’s national draft, which could also feature in the deal.
The Western Bulldogs were willing to part with pick 7 for Wingard, who recently had dinner at coach Luke Beveridge’s house, but they were overlooked.
Burton’s manager Marty Pask, of i50 Management, will now work to facilitate the best deal possible for his client.
Burton could choose to stay as a contracted player, but that is highly unlikely.
The Hawks’ desperation to land Wingard before Wednesday’s trade deadline is proven by their willingness to trade Burton.
The versatile tall is one of Hawthorn’s most exciting youngsters and was set to form a major piece of their backline over the next decade.
Sources also linked GWS midfielder Tom Scully with a move to the Hawthorn, which has necessitated the Burton trade.
Wingard’s decision to join the Hawks comes after they missed out on key targets Tom Lynch and Dylan Shiel, who chose Richmond and Essendon, respectively.
Wingard will help replace retired legend Cyril Rioli as an attacking half-forward after kicking 232 goals from 147 games at the Power.
The durable best-and-fairest winner and dual All-Australian has played at least 18 games in each of his seven seasons at Alberton.
It is the second consecutive year Hawthorn has beaten the Bulldogs to a Port Adelaide player’s signature after securing Jarman Impey last year.
“Chad has informed us of his want to explore the opportunity Hawthorn have presented him,” Port football boss Chris Davies said last night.
“However, he is also aware that unless an acceptable trade can be struck, he will be playing for Port Adelaide in 2019.”
Burton was recruited from SANFL club North Adelaide with pick No.19 in the 2015 national draft.
Originally published as Hawthorn is set to sacrifice young star Ryan Burton in its pursuit of Port Adelaide star Chad Wingard
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