AFL trade news: Jack Gunston to Hawthorn no sure thing, Suns and Blues to talk Elijah Hollands
Jack Gunston’s fairytale return to Hawthorn is by no means a sure thing, as the club fends off any rival interest in tall forward Brandon Ryan.
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Hawthorn has only limited interest in brokering a trade for Jack Gunston and is adamant young forward Brandon Ryan is off limits to the Lions or any other club.
The Hawks were surprised to be linked to triple premiership player Gunston when he declared an interest in a return to Waverley, with the Lions keen on a swap for 25-year-old Ryan.
Gunston had spoken to coach Chris Fagan about returning to finish his career at the Hawks after moving on last year amid frustration at the club’s off-field issues as he sought a fresh start.
But Hawthorn is deep in discussions on a deal for Mabior Chol and is keen to continue playing Ryan, who the club only recently locked away for another season.
Only if the club landed Gold Coast’s Chol and Essendon’s Massimo D’Ambrosio would the club consider 31-year-old Gunston.
Ryan has played a trio of AFL games but kicked three goals in his second game against Collingwood and looks a real find after being secured in this year’s mid-season draft.
He had over 60 shots at goal from 15 VFL games playing for the Northern Bullants and then Box Hill in the VFL before his senior elevation.
The rangy 200cm left-footer showed impressive movement and a strong set of hands against eventual premiers Collingwood, and could slot into a forward line alongside Mitch Lewis and Mabior Chol.
The Hawks are keen for the Tigers to hand on pick 29 for departing forward Jacob Koschitzke, which they would ontrade in a three-club swap to the Suns for Chol.
But the Tigers are not prepared to hand over 29 for Koschitzke _ they have later picks 50 and 68 _ and the Suns are yet to speak to the Hawks about a three-club trade.
They would want more than pick 50 for Chol and have no confidence the Tigers will give up pick 29.
Hawthorn has already shown that moving on senior midfielders Jaeger O’Meara and Tom Mitchell allowed Will Day and Jai Newcombe to flourish.
So while bringing Gunston back to the Hawks smacks of a romantic decision, a club that has been desperate to progress its premiership build might only be robbing Ryan of opportunities.
The Hawks also played Denver Grainger-Barras as a key forward in the final games of the year but might settle him into defence next season.
Hawthorn finally secured picks 44 and 63 on Saturday for Tyler Brockman.
The Hawks had offered Brockman, their no.4 overall pick and their 2024 first-rounder for West Coast’s No.1 overall selection but were told it was not enough by the Eagles.
Brisbane is assessing its options, and while allowing Gunston to leave would clear $500,000 of cap space it would also rob the Lions of valuable depth.
Gunston might not be in the club’s best 22 next year but key tall Tom Fullarton has been traded to the Demons and the Lions need backup if Joe Daniher or Eric Hipwood go down.
The Lions retained Kai Lohmann and Dev Robertson and Cal Ah Chee had a strong finals series for the Lions.
Originally published as AFL trade news: Jack Gunston to Hawthorn no sure thing, Suns and Blues to talk Elijah Hollands
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