AFL 2024: Hawthorn close to new deal with free agent Harry Morrison

In strong form but out of contract, a Hawthorn wingman’s AFL future has become clearer.

Hawthorn free agent Harry Morrison is poised to sign a new deal to remain in brown and gold. Picture: Michael Dodge / AAP

Hawthorn free agent Harry Morrison is on the cusp of signing a new deal to remain at the club after finishing the finals campaign without a contract beyond 2024.

The Hawks and Morrison have moved closer to agreeing terms in recent days after the wingman won his spot back in the senior side for the last five games of the season.

Morrison, 25, is an unrestricted free agent and was sent back to Box Hill for 17 VFL games over the last two seasons as he struggled to nail down a role under Sam Mitchell.

It is understood rival interest in the versatile right-footer had been subdued despite his strong finish to 2024, which included 20 disposals and a goal in the Hawks’ round 22 thrashing of Carlton and 45 disposals across their two finals appearances.

Hawthorn wingman Harry Morrison (right) is set to remain at the club in 2025. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

Morrison was one of five Hawks without a deal for 2025 after Chad Wingard retired and untried duo Clay Tucker and Cooper Stephens were delisted last month.

Key defenders Denver Grainger-Barras and Ethan Phillips and small forwards Jack O’Sullivan and Josh Bennetts also remain unsigned.

The Hawks’ eagerness to retain Morrison comes amid rival interest in Finn Maginness, who is contracted until the end of 2025.

Like Morrison, the hard-running 23-year-old was the beneficiary of late-season injuries to Will Day, Changkuoth Jiath and Cam Mackenzie and performed strongly in the final three games of Hawthorn’s campaign without the shackles of his usual tagging role.

Maginness had 22 disposals, six marks and a goal to be among the Hawks’ best in the semi-final loss to Port Adelaide.

Hawthorn wingman Finn Maginness is contracted for next season, but there’s a squeeze on for spots with Josh Weddle poised to push up the ground from defence. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

The arrival of defenders Tom Barrass (West Coast) and Josh Battle (St Kilda) could have a knock-on effect for wing spots at Hawthorn, with Josh Weddle likely to be pushed up the ground.

It was suggested James Sicily could be used predominantly as a forward in 2025, but the Hawthorn captain poured cold water on a full-time move when asked at the Brownlow Medal.

“I don’t know to be honest at the moment. I’m excited and Sam (Mitchell’s) excited by potentially some flexibility in the side between myself and some other guys like (Josh) Weddle and Blake Hardwick,” Sicily told 3AW.

“Playing forward would be refreshing in periods, but also (I’ve) been a defender and a decent one for a while, and I want to play backline with those two guys as well … we’ll see what happens.”