Hawthorn targeting midfield pair Tom Mitchell and Brad Crouch

HAWTHORN is poised for another off-season recruiting raid, targeting young midfield pair Tom Mitchell and Brad Crouch.

Tom Mitchell. Picture: Brett Costello

HAWTHORN is poised for another off-season recruiting raid, targeting young midfield pair Tom Mitchell and Brad Crouch.

The Hawks, who have sustained their remarkable premiership push by luring established rival talent, are working hard behind the scenes to future-proof an ageing midfield.

The premier has inquired about Sydney ball-magnet Mitchell and Adelaide onballer Crouch, believing one or both can slot into an engine room boasting Luke Hodge (32), Sam Mitchell (33), Shaun Burogyne (33) and Jordan Lewis (30).

Out-of-contract Gold Coast young-gun Jaeger O’Meara is also on the radar, but it remains to be seen whether the Hawks would need to make room to slot him or Mitchell, in particular, into the line-up.

O’Meara has been determined to wait until the Suns’ season ends before turning his mind to contract talks.

Mitchell, 23, remains no guarantee to stay at Sydney, with both parties also putting discussions on hold until the end of the season.

Mitchell’s manager Phil Mullen said his client would be prepared to move.

Victorian clubs are keen on Sydney’s Tom Mitchell. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s just a matter of what we agree to with the Swans — if we do agree. If we do that’s great, but if not we’ll look at other alternatives,” Mullen said.

“It’s about getting the right terms, wherever that happens to be. Hopefully it’s at the Swans.”

Carlton circled Mitchell two years ago, but Mullen said the Blues had not made official inquiries this year.

Mitchell joined the Swans under the AFL’s father-son rule in 2011 and is in the middle of a career-best season. The left-footer has had to work hard to secure a permanent spot in a Swans line-up boasting elite midfielders Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker.

Mitchell’s father, Barry, played 170 games for Sydney, 13 for Collingwood and 38 for Carlton between 1984-96.

“We’ve agreed with the Swans that we’ll hold off until seasons end. They’ve got a bit going on with finals coming up and all that,” Mullen said.

Brad Crouch has played 10 games this year. Picture: Getty Images

“We’ve said we’ll sit down and sort if out at the appropriate time. That’s the way business works, but people don’t understand that in footy it works the same way.”

Crouch, 22, has managed only 10 games this year and 35 in total since being taken in the 2011 mini-draft. Injuries have plagued him, but he has attracted a stack of interest from rival clubs believing he has unlimited potential. North Melbourne and Essendon are also among the potential suitors.

The Crows are said to want to retain Crouch, who has played the last six games and averaged 26 disposals. But it’s understood the Victorian is carrying some frustration over a lack of senior opportunities at West Lakes.