Tyrone Vickery has agreed to join Hawthorn on a three-year deal

TY VICKERY could become a Hawthorn player as early as Friday, with the Richmond forward agreeing to a three-year deal.

TY VICKERY could become a Hawthorn player as early as Friday, with the Richmond forward agreeing to a three-year deal.

The restricted free agent had attracted interest from an interstate and Melbourne-based club, but is determined to get to the Hawks after a positive meeting with coach Alastair Clarkson.

Vickery’s departure will net the Tigers either a second-round pick (currently No.25) or end of second round (No.37) pick as compensation, depending on his new contract with Hawthorn.

As it stands, Richmond doesn’t have a second-round selection after trading it last year to Gold Coast as part of the Tigers’ manouvering to secure Chris Yarran from Carlton.

Tyrone Vickery has agreed to a three-year deal with Hawthorn. Picture: Getty

But under free agency rules, Richmond’s compensation pick for Vickery could come after what its second round pick would have been — No.24.

If Richmond matched Hawthorn’s three-year deal for Vickery, he would have to either stay at Punt Rd or take his chances of getting to Hawthorn in the draft.

The much-maligned big man, the No.8 pick in the 2008 national draft, simply feels he has reached the end of the line at Punt Rd after a turbulent 2016 season.

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Hawthorn has told Vickery that while he needs to work on his weaknesses, the side can also play to his strengths.

It is understood Vickery will spend more time in the ruck under Clarkson and divide his time between midfield and the forward line.

The 26-year-old was dropped twice this year and overlooked by coach Damien Hardwick in the final fortnight for fringe key position pair Todd Elton and Callum Moore.

Tyrone Vickery has likely played his last game for Richmond. Picture: Colleen Petch

Hardwick had maintained Vickery was “firmly in my best 25”.

“He’s a really important player to our footy club ... make no mistake,” Hardwick said after the Round 22 loss to St Kilda.

Hawthorn, who have become masters at recruiting established rival talent in recent years, weren’t as efficient up forward in the wake of David Hale’s retirement, Jarryd Roughead’s absence and the late-season knee injury to Jonathon Ceglar further highlighted the need for another versatile big man.