Hawthorn veteran Brendan Whitecross faces uncertain future
HAWTHORN veteran Brendan Whitecross faces an uncertain future with a possible return home to Queensland on the cards for 2019.
Hawthorn
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hawthorn. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HAWTHORN veteran Brendan Whitecross faces an uncertain future with a possible return home to Queensland on the cards for 2019.
Whitecross, 28, has not received a contract offer from the Hawks and has played just 27 games in the past five seasons.
But the utility was in coach Alastair Clarkson’s Round 20 team before he was struck down with pneumonia.
TRADE LATEST: DAHLHAUS SHARES INSTAGRAM REGRET
TRADE WAR: CATS WON’T ROLL OVER ON KELLY
Whitecross returned in the VFL to help Box Hill win the premiership.
It was the Queenslander’s first flag after he watched teammates play in seven Grand Finals for five premierships across AFL and VFL level.
A second ACL injury suffered in the 2013 preliminary final thwarted Whitecross’s shot at playing in Hawthorn’s premiership three-peat.
With the Hawks no certainties to table the unrestricted free agent a contract for next year, Gold Coast could offer a lifeline.
Whitecross has family in Brisbane and shares links with both Queensland clubs.
Suns chief executive Mark Evans worked at the Hawks until 2013 while Lions coach Chris Fagan and veteran Luke Hodge have crossed from Waverley over the past two years.
Whitecross and Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew were also Hawthorn teammates in 2008.
The Lions appear less likely to pursue Whitecross and have recently re-signed Ryan Lester.
While Gold Coast is wary that signing a free agent could dilute its compensation for captain Tom Lynch, it is unlikely that Whitecross would affect the Suns securing the No.3 draft pick.
The Suns could instead choose to trade a late pick for Whitecross to bypass that concern.
Whitecross has played 111 games under Clarkson in 11 years at Hawthorn and would bring that knowledge north.
He would also add versatility to the line-up and his work-rate is renowned at the Hawks.
Whitecross is the last Hawk remaining from the 2007 draft after the retirement of his close mate Cyril Rioli.
Originally published as Hawthorn veteran Brendan Whitecross faces uncertain future
Clubs demand MCG games as 100-year celebration plans begin
More clubs want more games at the MCG next year and three teams are plotting once-in-a-century moments in 2025. See what fixture requests are coming the AFL’s way.
Hawthorn takes over footy’s No.1 list
Three clubs have emerged from the 2024 season with the biggest stars in the AFL with a list of the top 50 players showing huge changes.