Hawthorn’s clever trading might see them rise to the top again writes Alastair Lynch

HAWTHORN’S thrilling one-point win over Geelong shows once again what a superbly-run footy club they are. And ALASTAIR LYNCH says their off-field plays have been just as big as those on the field.

Jaeger O'Meara and teammate Tom Mitchell propel the Hawks forward. Pic: Getty Images

HAWTHORN’S thrilling one-point win in another Easter Monday classic shows once again what a superbly run footy club they are.

The Hawks’ preparedness to move on four-time premiership heroes is already showing strong signs it is another astute tactical list decision.

The corresponding fixture last year was an 86-point hiding by the Cats in one of the rare duds in what has been the decade’s best rivalry.

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In the past the suggestion to possibly move on an iconic name only to see them run out elsewhere would cost an administrator his job but times are changing.

While on Saturday night Hawthorn supporters may have cringed when they watched two iconic ex-Hawks running out for the Lions and the Demons, the reality is the players and both their new and old clubs would believe the deals have been a win for all parties.

A year into his move to the Melbourne Football Club, Jordan Lewis is perfectly positioned to guide a rising team into the finals for the first time in 12 years and could no doubt hold a spot in the current Hawks team.

However, Hawthorn’s hopes of returning to September and more premiership glory depended on finding the next generation of stars.

The hard decision to move on Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Lewis has given the Hawks the opportunity to fast-track a rebuild that saw them slip out of the top-eight for just the second time in 12 years.

The Hawks’ bold bid for Jaeger O'Meara and Tom Mitchell might pay off handsomely. Pic: Getty Images

In come Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara.

Mitchell was an All Australian and club champion in his first year having moved over from Sydney and gathered the most possessions ever in a season. Only two weeks ago he got the most possessions ever in a game.

O’Meara has unquestionable talent and is back on track after three years of injury having started so promisingly at the Gold Coast Suns.

Hodge’s addition in Brisbane cannot be overstated — leadership, coaching, support and a bloody good player has slotted perfectly into the developing young Lions team.

Plus he is an ideal on-field lieutenant for coach Chris Fagan.

By Monday night those same Hawthorn fans who had every right to be a little bit heartbroken watching their champs in other jumpers sat back with pride and a little relief.

Pride not just due to the fact their team has rolled the flag contending Cats by one point but equally due to the off field team that have had the courage to buck the norm again.

The Hawks have widely been acknowledged as being the most astute traders of players over the last decade.

In addition to bringing in players at their prime such as O‘Meara and Mitchell and previously Jack Gunston and James Frawley, they also have the knack of hand picking mostly experienced players seemingly on the way down from their peak only to arrive in the gold and brown stripes and revitalise and in many cases improve.

Ben McEvoy (Saints), Brian Lake (Bulldogs), David Hale and Josh Gibson (Kangaroos), Stuart Dew (retired) and Shaun Burgoyne (Power), Brent Guerra (Saints) and Matt Spangher (Swans) are all premiership players.

The most successful club in modern AFL history is showing significant signs it’s on the rise again and I have no doubt they’ll be aggressively shopping for more class to complement its current list build.

Originally published as Hawthorn’s clever trading might see them rise to the top again writes Alastair Lynch