AFL trade: Hawks prepare for defensive logjam, Roos’ big offer to premiership Tiger
The Hawks are already looking forward to 2025, even with their season alive right now. But how will they handle the logjam down back with Josh Battle and Tom Barrass coming over?
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Hawthorn has assured contracted full back Sam Frost he has a spot in their 2025 backline as the Hawks are suddenly confronted with a defensive logjam next season.
The Hawks look to have already won the trade period given Josh Battle has agreed to move from St Kilda as an unrestricted free agent and Eagles defender Tom Barrass has nominated Hawthorn as his club of choice.
Hawthorn will have to hand over pick 12 as it stands – and potentially a later pick – to get the services of Barrass.
But coach Sam Mitchell now has an embarrassment of riches given 31-year-old Frost has had an excellent year, Jack Scrimshaw has turned himself into an elite marking tall and James Sicily remains one of the game’s best defenders.
James Blanck, 23, is also returning from an ACL tear that has had ongoing complications, while 193cm defender Jai Serong is a player of the future and Ethan Phillips is on the list as a 197cm defender.
Former Demons full back Frost hit a trigger clause for a 2025 contract this year and enters the finals series in a rich vein of form, having played every game this year.
Hawthorn has sold the message to Frost that all of Hawthorn’s key defenders can coexist in the backline together, as difficult as that might seem.
Rival clubs are keen to find key backs, with North Melbourne having offered Richmond’s Nathan Broad three years at as much as $650,000 a season.
He eventually stayed at Richmond in an extraordinary sacrifice that surprised even those close to him but clubs are on the lookout for full backs and marking defenders of note.
Gold Coast full back Sam Collins is well down the track on a new contract past 2025 given his current wage doesn’t reflect his brilliant form as a Suns defender and cultural driver.
Hawthorn does not have to wait to assess whether St Kilda matches a bid for Battle given he is an unrestricted free agent.
The Herald Sun revealed on Thursday Battle had been offered around $950,000 a year over six seasons to stay at St Kilda.
He will leave on a lesser financial deal to get to Hawthorn but St Kilda is still hopeful a deal of between $900,000-$950,000 a year might trigger first-round compensation.
In the Saints’ favour is his age – he only turned 26 on Sunday – and the length of the contract which is at least five years.
The closer a player is to 25 the higher the compensation, while as of this year the length of a contract is relevant.
In general terms if a player’s average wage is in the top five per cent of all wages for players 25 and over it will trigger band one compensation for their former side.
St Kilda will also hope that having been denied any of the northern states academy riches the AFL might help them out if it is a lineball call.
St Kilda has consistently railed against academy advantages handed to northern states teams, even though the Saints secured Mitch Owens and Marcus Windhager as NGA products.
Originally published as AFL trade: Hawks prepare for defensive logjam, Roos’ big offer to premiership Tiger
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