Hawthorn excited to use its first top-12 draft pick since recruiting Cyril Rioli in 2007

Hawthorn is in an unusual position — holding a top-12 draft pick for the first time since snaring Cyril Rioli. And the Hawks have big plans on how to use it after relying heavily on trades to sustain their golden era.

Cyril Rioli in his debut season.

Hawthorn is confident it can capitalise on its strongest hand in more than a decade at next week’s national draft.

The Hawks currently hold pick 11, which is Alastair Clarkson’s highest selection since the club took Mitch Thorp as a top-10 selection in 2006. The next year the Hawks hit the jackpot selecting premiership superstar Cyril Rioli with pick No.12 in 2007.

Since then Hawthorn has had only three top-20 selections, relying heavily on traded players to stay in premiership contention under Clarkson.

Football boss Graham Wright said the club was excited about having a rare top-end choice.

“It’s nice to have an early pick and I would have thought we will be trying to take it,” Wright said.

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Hawthorn football manager Graham Wright (right) with coach Alastair Clarkson and assistant Adam Yze. Picture: Michael Klein

There are other strong plays in place for the Hawks, who will also welcome accomplished midfielder and father-son prospect Finn Maginness.

The Hawks are adamant they will not match a top-10 bid for the highly-rated clearance winner, meaning they will most likely use their second pick (30) to cover the required number of draft value index points under the bidding system.

The club is also poised to snare uncontracted Essendon tall Michael Hartley in the pre-season draft.

The Hawks snared Mitchell Lewis with pick 76 in the 2016 draft. Picture: Michael Klein

While the Hawks are giving away few hints about their preferred draft targets, rival clubs have linked the club to Sandringham swingman Fischer McAsey and creative defender Will Day.

The Western Bulldogs (pick 13) and Geelong (14) are also believed to be eyeing McAsey, who is widely considered the top key-position backman in this year’s draft class.

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Sandringham Dragons’ coach Josh Bourke said McAsey’s ability to read the play was outstanding.

“It’s his anticipation and just that ability to read the aerial situation that sets him apart,” Bourke said.

“The way he sees the game and gets into position first allows him even to take a lot of uncontested marks, but I think the best thing is that he has shown he can play forward as well and really do it at both ends.”

HAWTHORN’S TOP DRAFT PICKS

2006: Mitch Thorp (pick 6)

2007: Chril Rioli (pick 12)

2008: Ryan Schoenmakers (pick 16)

2009: Sam Grimley (pick 39)

2010: Isaac Smith (pick 19)

2011: Brad Hill (pick 33)

2012: Tim O’Brien (pick 28)

2013: Billy Hartung (pick 24)

2014: Daniel Howe (pick 31)

2015: Ryan Burton (pick 19)

2016: Harry Morrison (pick 74)

2017: James Worpel (pick 45)

2018: Jacob Koschitzke (pick 52)

Originally published as Hawthorn excited to use its first top-12 draft pick since recruiting Cyril Rioli in 2007