Hawthorn deny it told Luke Breust he was trade bait days before semi-final loss to Western Bulldogs

HAWTHORN have categorically denied they told star forward Luke Breust he was trade bait just days before the club’s semi-final against the Western Bulldogs.

HAWTHORN have categorically denied they told star forward Luke Breust he was trade bait just days before the club’s semi-final against the Western Bulldogs.

Channel Seven commentator Wayne Carey said on Saturday he had been told Breust was the man most likely to leave given the club’s likely off-season acquisitions.

Hawthorn will spend the next fortnight considering the tough calls on their list as they attempt to secure Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O’Meara and Tyrone Vickery.

But the Hawks made it clear they did not do business like that with their players, especially in the middle of a bid for a historic fourth premiership.

Mitchell will join O’Meara at Hawthorn once Sydney’s campaign finishes, unwilling to agree to a pay cut under a five-year offer put to him at around $380,000 a year.

A player of Breust’s calibre might eventually have to make way to satisfy the wishes of the Gold Coast, who want established players in return for O’Meara.

Hawthorn has denied it told Luke Breust he’s trade bait days before the semi-final loss to Western Bulldogs. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Sydney’s salary cap is so tight given uncertainty over the total player payments for next season they would be satisfied only with draft picks and not highly-paid players.

Hawthorn has a draft pick in the 13-14 range, which still might come close to satisfying the Swans over Mitchell.

Sydney would love to keep him but given he is fifth in line in their star-studded midfield have no choice but to push out an established player.

TRADE BAIT: BREUST COULD BE ON TABLE FOR O’MEARA

Players mentioned as potential trade bait in the player swaps include James Sicily (dropped for the qualifying final) and Will Langford.

Sicily has not been told he is part of the club’s trade plans but for Hawthorn to trade for two established players it must offer up required players.

Vickery wants to get to Hawthorn ahead of several other options on a deal likely to hand Richmond a second-round compensation selection.

The Tigers have made noises about matching a free-agency deal if they do not get a second-round pick but have not tabled an official contract with him.

Todd Goldstein will be staying at North Melbourne despite trade rumours. Picture: Tom Huntley

NORTH Melbourne says star ruckman Todd Goldstein will not join the exodus of senior players despite speculation he might request a fresh start.

The Roos have jettisoned a handful of senior players including Drew Petrie and Brent Harvey in recent weeks.

But North Melbourne was adamant over the weekend Goldstein had not asked for a trade and was not being shopped around despite some rival interest in the All Australian ruckman.

North Melbourne premiership player David King threw up a potential Goldstein trade over the weekend as a way of the Roos refreshing their list.

He believes if the 28-year-old stays at the club there is a limited future for Majak Daw, out of contract and considering whether to stay at Arden St.

But the Roos believing trading their best player, whatever the trade, would be irresponsible.