Hawthorn has brought in several stars who have played key roles in premiership teams
WITH news Jaeger O’Meara wants to join Hawthorn we thought we’d take a look at the list of players who’ve made a successful move to the Hawks — and how they got there.
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HAWTHORN, masters of the trade and free agency period, look poised to do it again.
The Hawks’ recent dynasty has been built not only on their own superb drafting earlier this century, but by some shrewd moves in the post-season and ability to attract quality players from other clubs to Waverley.
And now, to the chagrin of some opposition fans, they’re at it again.
Jaeger O’Meara’s decision to nominate Hawthorn as his preferred new home may ensure the Hawks remain at the pointy end of the AFL ladder once names like Hodge, Mitchell and Lewis have departed the brown and gold.
Out-of-contract Swan Tom Mitchell is in the sights of the three-time reigning champs, while Tiger Tyrone Vickery is also tipped to join Hawthorn in the off-season.
If the trio all make it to Alastair Clarkson’s team, they would join a growing list of players to cross to the juggernaut.
We thought we’d take a look at the additions to the Hawks’ nest during their period of dominance, and see what they had to give up to help them stay at the top.
FLYING INTO A HAWK DYNASTY:
Shaun Burgoyne — joined 2009
It took some doing and four clubs’ involvement but in the end Hawthorn got its man, giving Port Adelaide pick nine and sending forward Mark Williams to Essendon. The Hawks’ picks 40 and 56 both finished up with Geelong (Allen Christensen, Josh Cowan). Three premierships isn’t a bad return for ‘Silk’ and those dodgy knees have held up pretty well.
Jonathon Ceglar — 2013
After spending time at Collingwood, the Hawks snapped up Ceglar in the 2013 rookie draft. Yet to play in a premiership and injury has again cruelled his chance this season, but has proven to be a smart pick-up for the Hawks.
Jack Fitzpatrick — 2015
Another nifty selection from Graham Wright’s recruiting team. Played just 22 matches in five seasons at Melbourne before being traded at the end of last season — for a fifth-round selection. Is now part of the Hawks’ September campaign.
James Frawley — 2014
There had been speculation around Frawley’s future throughout his final season at Melbourne, and while Geelong was in the market it came as no great surprise when Frawley chose the Hawks. The Demons received pick 3 (Angus Brayshaw) as compensation for losing the key defender.
Josh Gibson — 2009
Gibson walked out on the Kangas following the 2009 season, and the Hawks settled the deal on the opening day of trade week that year. They offered up picks 25 (Aaron Black) and 41 (Ayden Kennedy), while the Hawks received pick 69 in return. They nabbed a guy named Taylor Duryea with that selection.
Jack Gunston — 2011
Wanted to return to his native Victoria after a couple of seasons at Adelaide and the Hawks made it happen, coughing up picks 24 (Henry Schade) which was on-traded to the Gold Coast, pick 46 (Nick Joyce) and selection 64 (Cam Ellis-Yolmen) to the Crows. The Hawks also received picks 53 (Alex Woodward) and 71 from Adelaide, but Gunston has been a key in the Hawthorn three-peat.
Ben McEvoy — 2013
McEvoy’s defection from the Saints shocked the footy world in trade week of 2013 when it was announced he’d join the Hawks in exchange for Shane Savage and the club’s first-round pick (18). The Saints picked up Luke Dunstan, but McEvoy’s strength and presence was important in the 2014 and 2015 premierships.
Jonathan O’Rourke — 2014
Perhaps one of the few investments the Hawks are yet to see pay off. Hawthorn gave up picks 19 and 40 to get their hands on the former No.2 draft pick, but the midfielder is yet to show his best since crossing to Waverley.
Matt Spangher — 2012
The former Eagle and Swan cost Hawthorn next to nothing — pick 64 — which the Swans used on recently-delisted Blue Matthew Dick. Spangher is a cult figure among Hawks fans, having played 24 matches across five seasons including the 2014 Grand Final win.
AND PAST PREMIERSHIP STARS:
Stuart Dew — 2008
Dew had been retired for a year after finishing up at Port Adelaide when the Hawks called his name out with their final pick (45) in the 2007 national draft. At that point Dew tipped the scales around 120 kilos. But he went on to get in shape and play one of the more famous bursts in recent memory, helping deliver the Hawks a famous upset win in the 2008 decider against Geelong.
Brent Guerra — 2006
Played 159 games for the Hawks after stints at St Kilda and Port Adelaide. ‘Goo’ was a member of both the 2008 and 2013 premiership sides. Hawthorn picked up the nuggety defender with their first selection in the 2006 pre-season draft. A nice bonus.
David Hale — 2010
The former Roo had shown glimpses at North — most notably the day he tore apart Geelong’s backline at Simonds Stadium — but later plateaued. So in 2010 the Hawks made their move, giving up the compensation pick they received for Campbell Brown (pick 27) and draft selection 71 to snare the ruckman/forward, who became a three-time premiership star from 108 matches in brown and gold. The Roos drafted Kieran Harper with pick 24 and Ben Mabon.
Brian Lake — 2012
Arguably as big a masterstroke as Burgoyne, Lake crossed to the Hawks following 2012 and played in three straight flags — and also won a Norm Smith medal. His big body was pivotal for Alastair Clarkson’s team, who gave up picks 21 (Nathan Hrovat) and 43 (Josh Saunders) to land the star.
Jonathan Simpkin — 2012
The hard-running football journeyman, who started his career as a youngster at the Swans before winning another chance at Geelong, proved a handy runner for the Hawks after joining as a delisted free agent. He cost nothing and played in the 2013 premiership win.
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