Gary Buckenara analyses Hawthorn’s list after 2016 season
HAWTHORN must come up with a deal to satisfy Gold Coast for Jaeger O’Meara. Ex-Hawks recruiter Gary Buckenara names the players he’d trade for the Suns midfielder in his list analysis.
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THE Hawks still have a pretty well-balanced list, although the challenge is they are getting older. The likes of Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Shaun Burgoyne, Jordan Lewis and Josh Gibson are getting to that stage where a year can make a big difference in how they perform. A year is a long time in footy.
The Mitchell trade possibility was a bombshell and shocked me as much as it did the football world. But I understand it.
This year the Hawks prepared for the future by blooding some new players who have been biding their time in the VFL and Alastair Clarkson will do that again next year while he’s also regenerating the list.
The other layer is there’s no doubt in my mind the Hawks are clearing salary cap room. That’s why Clarkson approached Mitchell rather than the other way around.
The acquisition of Tom Mitchell from Sydney is an immediate replacement for Sam and while if he does leave it will be a blow, it won’t be felt as heavily if there wasn’t quality replacing him. Bringing in Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara will bolster the midfield despite the loss of Sam.
There is obviously debate around what a suitable trade deal would be to get him across to the Eagles but I think common sense will prevail.
West Coast won’t give up their first pick for him and it could be a bit of a goodwill trade. But Mitchell is contracted and is happy to stay at Hawthorn and I would be surprised if the Hawks aren’t trying to work this trade into the O’Meara one.
LIST ANALYSIS: BUCKENARA ON THE TIGERS
LIST ANALYSIS: BUCKENARA ON THE BLUES
LIST ANALYSIS: BUCKENARA ON THE DOCKERS
LIST ANALYSIS: BUCKENARA ON THE PIES
LIST ANALYSIS: BUCKENARA ON THE CATS
LIST ANALYSIS: BUCKENARA ON THE EAGLES
It appears a good opportunity to get another club involved that might have a player — such as Eric Mackenzie — who would appeal to Gold Coast and work a trade that way plus including pick No.23 that was received for Bradley Hill.
There would obviously need to be more involved but that might be a start. If the deals are separate, then there are a few names I’d be willing to throw up from a Hawthorn point of view but Luke Breust isn’t one of them.
There is no way I would part with Breust and I’m glad he’s come out and said he won’t be going anywhere. He’s such a barometer for the guys up forward and is very highly-rated.
Sicily’s name has been thrown up as well and while you’d be hesitant to let him go but in my mind, he would be the one out of Hawthorn’s forward line you would let go. He’s going to be a very good player once the penny really drops about how much hard work it takes to make it at the level. But we already saw he can produce some pretty special things at AFL level.
The Hawks would maybe have to package him up with their second-round pick or as I mentioned earlier, that pick No.23.
I would be happy to put Ryan Schoenmakers, Billy Hartung, Jono O’Rourke and Tim O’Brien up for trade in the O’Meara deal, while I would possibly look at Will Langford although he has had his injury concerns since his breakout finals series.
Moving onto the list as a whole, there is still more quality to be introduced at senior level for the Hawks.
LIST ANALYSIS: BUCKENARA ON THE DEMONS
LIST ANALYSIS: BUCKENARA ON THE SAINTS
LIST ANALYSIS: BUCKENARA ON THE BOMBERS
LIST ANALYSIS: BUCKENARA ON THE LIONS
LIST ANALYSIS: BUCKENARA ON THE SUNS
LIST ANALYSIS: BUCKENARA ON THE POWER
Clarkson has the luxury of not playing those star older guys every week — they might just play 15 games for the year while he continues to blood young players.
I think the Hawks made the right decision in re-signing all of them for next year. Their form hasn’t been horrible, their bodies are standing up and they just need to play 15-odd games. Just do enough to get to finals while blooding young players because that’s when these older guys really come to the fore.
When you look at guys like Sicily — he came in, played most the year and looked very comfortable at the level but there’s more improvement in him especially with his body because he still has a very light frame. That’s why I believe he has currency at the trade table although you never want to lose good players.
Then there’s Kaiden Brand, who I like as a young key position player for the future. He’s coming along quite nicely and Daniel Howe had more exposure.
Ryan Burton also showed plenty when he got his chance at senior level.
Add them to the stars like those older guys and Cyril Rioli, Jack Gunston, Luke Breust, Grant Birchall etc and that is a very good team.
I expect Hawthorn to be thereabouts again next year and if they can add O’Meara to Tyrone Vickery and Mitchell as addition, then they won’t be far away from knocking on the door of the top four again.
A lot of people have written them off saying the era is over but I still think Hawthorn will be knocking on the door again. Don’t underestimate the list.
We all have our finger crossed for Jarryd Roughead. His health is first and foremost but on top of that we hope he can get back out there and play. His loss combined with the serious knee injury to Jon Ceglar meant the Hawks lost their balance up forward, they didn’t have enough height. They became a mid-sized to small forward line that didn’t quite suit the set-up.
Hill’s departure is a massive loss. Isaac Smith and Hartung are there to fill that outside run wing position but a player who will need to do more to fill the void is O’Rourke.
The former No.2 draft pick has pace and kicks the ball well but need to produce consistent efforts on more occasions.
Schoenmakers had injury problems this year and has had his fair share throughout his career but if he can get another full pre-season under his belt I think he’ll be better next year.
O’Brien is one who could be asked about in trades, there’s always been a bit of interest in Tim. He hasn’t grabbed the opportunities he’s been given at Hawthorn but if he could start to capitalise on his potential he would be a walk-up start in the 22 no problems.
Kurt Heatherley needs to show something next year. He’s been at the Hawks for quite a while now after being recruited as part of the New Zealand scholarship scheme. He needs to start grabbing his opportunities.
The Hawks have already secured Vickery via free agency and Tom Mitchell via a trade already and if they can net O’Meara on top of that it would be a huge boost.
I would say Ben McEvoy and Vickery would be the preferred ruck/forward combination.
WHAT THEY NEED
The list is quite balanced. I think in terms of drafting players the Hawks are in a position to just draft the best player at their picks, wherever they may be after the trade period finishes. With the loss of Hill the Hawks could do with another outside runner with good endurance and who uses the ball well.
WHO’S UNDER THE PUMP
Jack Fitzpatrick is just a back-up ruckman and given the injury to Jon Ceglar will probably survive the list changes but he’ll need to show a bit more next year.
O’Brien is a young key tall who was in and out of the side this year but probably hasn’t done enough yet. 2017 will be a make or break year for him. He was taken early in the draft and could be one offered up in trades but if he does stay — he’s a player who offers so much but just doesn’t grab his opportunities when he gets given them. He’s an intelligent footballer and guy but maybe overthinks a bit.
Matt Spangher is at the crossroads. He’s not young and his body has always been his weakness, just struggles so much with injuries.
Brendan Whitecross will also be under the pump after triggering a new deal for next year. He has missed a lot of footy and while he showed good signs late, he’ll need to put together a strong season.
Zac Webster is another one who is injured all the time and if he stays will need to get his body right. He’s got pace and talent but needs to show something. He’s been there a little while now.
Angus Litherland has been on the list for a long time and hasn’t been able to cement his spot despite playing strong VFL footy, while rookie Jermaine Miller-Lewis has been there a couple of years.
Alex Woodward has had so many knee injuries but he came back at the end of this year and played some good VFL footy. I think he’ll get another chance.
WHO SHOULD GO?
The Hawks are yet to make any list changes but to me if Spangher and Webster don’t get their bodies right then they’re facing an uphill battle to stay on the list. A lot of patience has been shown with them. Teia Miles has been there a couple of years and hasn’t been given an opportunity despite playing reasonably well at VFL level.
CRYSTAL BALL
I still expect Hawthorn to be a finals team in 2017 — even if Sam Mitchell departs — and if they can bring in both Tom Mitchell and O’Meara then I’d say the Hawks will be top four but if the O’Meara deal falls over then that could be the difference between top four and finishing in the 5-8 bracket. The Hawks will feel the loss of Sam more if O’Meara doesn’t arrive.
*Gary Buckenara helped build Hawthorn’s three-peat premiership list and now he runs a rule over club lists in an exclusive column for the Herald Sun.
Buckenara was a major part of Hawthorn’s recruiting team between 2004-2015 and was responsible for bringing Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Jordan Lewis to the Hawks in 2004 when he was the Hawks’ sole full-time recruiter.
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