Hawthorn list analysis: Free agents, out-of-contract stars and trade targets for the Hawks
The captain, a star forward and a veteran midfield stopper are among a number of Hawks yet to sign deals beyond 2022. Could they land at other clubs? LIST ANALYSIS
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Hawthorn has launched into its rebuild under new coach Sam Mitchell after last year’s messy coaching handover.
Blooding youth and adopting a more attacking game style under Mitchell, the Hawks are in the midst of revamping their playing group to kickstart a new era after 17 years with Alastair Clarkson in charge.
The Hawks will be targeting a significant takeoff come 2024 – provided they are successful in this year’s trade and draft period.
Hawthorn offered up some of its established stars during last year’s trade period in a bid to improve its draft hand and fast-track its rebuild, but was not successful.
One of the key issues facing the Hawks at the end of this season will be what happens with midfield duo Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara.
The spotlight has shone on the form of both at different times this year and they have been spending less time in the midfield in order to give the club’s emerging midfielders a chance to develop.
Will they have a key role to play moving forward at Hawks or would there be any suitors for them if they are put on the trade table?
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Brownlow medallist Mitchell this week declared he wanted to stay at the club, while the coach has said publicly trading the pair was the “furthest thing from my mind” and they remained “important parts of our club”.
Entering the season with a suite of players out of contract, the Hawks have already secured the signatures of key personnel at either end of the ground.
Defender James Sicily signed a five-year deal in May to tie him to the club until the end of 2027, while key forward Mitch Lewis (four years) and backman Sam Frost (two years) have also recently recommitted.
The Lewis deal shaped as a key one for the Hawks, especially with premiership stars Jack Gunston, 30, and Luke Breust, 31, entering the twilight of their careers.
Lewis is one rising Hawk to have made a big impact in Mitchell’s first year in charge, kicking a career-best 31 goals from 11 games so far to lead the club’s goalkicking.
Mitchell said the 23-year-old forward was an integral part of the club’s future.
“He has bought into what we are trying to achieve as an organisation and as a football club and as a football team,” Mitchell said. “We feel like there’s a clear path that we are going to be on and he is going to be an integral part of that.”
Last year’s mid-season draft pick Jai Newcombe has also shone and the midfielder is among the top contenders for this year’s Rising Star award.
The Hawks have already blooded five debutants this season – Connor MacDonald, Josh Ward, Jackson Callow, Sam Butler and James Blanck.
WHO’S OUT OF CONTRACT
Ben McEvoy, Connor Downie, Daniel Howe, Emerson Jeka, Harry Morrison, Jack Gunston, Jack Saunders, Jackson Callow, Kyle Hartigan, Liam Shiels, Seamus Mitchell, Tom Phillips, Tyler Brockman.
WHO’S ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AGENCY
– Ben McEvoy (restricted free agent)
– Daniel Howe (restricted free agent)
– Jack Gunston (unrestricted free agent)
– Liam Shiels (unrestricted free agent)
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List analysis: The 21 Magpies out of contract
THREE PLAYERS FROM A RIVAL CLUB THE HAWKS SHOULD BE LOOKING AT
Karl Amon
The Hawks have been linked to the Port Adelaide free agent and the hard-running wingman, who had a breakout 2021 season. At 26, he is in the perfect age bracket for the rebuilding Hawks.
Sam Weideman
The Melbourne forward signed a two-year contract extension to stay with the Demons late last season, but he has been restricted to six senior appearances so far in 2022. He could provide another fresh attacking prong in a next-gen Hawks forward line alongside Lewis.
Josh Dunkley
Linked to a move to Essendon last year, Dunkley has comfortably settled back into life at the Whitten Oval this season, but is the type of prime midfielder the Hawks could build around. And at 25, fits the age profile for the club’s list revamp.
THREE PLAYERS FROM THE HAWKS RIVAL CLUBS SHOULD BE LOOKING AT
Tom Mitchell
Among the big-name Hawks stars reportedly shopped around in last year’s trade period, the 29-year-old Brownlow medallist could be a candidate for the trade table again as the club seeks more opportunities through the draft. Mitchell pledged his future to Hawthorn in the hope the Hawks can win an elusive premiership before his career ends so it will be interesting to see how the trade period pans out.
Jaeger O’Meara
In a similar position to Mitchell with his midfield minutes decreasing this year as the club looks to the future, 28-year-old O’Meara could be an obvious target for potential suitors.
Jack Gunston
The Hawks’ sharpshooter is entering time on in his career, but could be a handy acquisition for a team at the pointy end of a flag assault with his experience and smarts around goal as an extra forward option.
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