Hawthorn are looking at trading Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell, with Collingwood expressing some interest in the ball-winning midfielder in the event Brodie Grundy were to leave the club.
The Hawks have told Mitchell and his management they are open to him moving if he wants a trade as they will be looking to younger players through the midfield next year and his time on ball will be reduced.
Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell.Credit: Getty Images
Sources familiar with the discussions said that given the age profile of their list, Hawthorn were open to a trade given the salary cap relief Mitchell’s departure would create.
The 29-year-old midfielder is contracted for one more year at Hawthorn on more than $800,000. It is expected Hawthorn would be prepared to pay a portion of Mitchell’s salary next year were he to go.
The Hawks’ discussions with Mitchell are not dissimilar to those of Collingwood with Grundy where they are open to a trade for the salary cap relief it would bring.
Pies ruckman Brodie Grundy.Credit: Getty Images
Collingwood have been approached about Mitchell and have some preliminary interest, but those negotiations have not significantly advanced.
The Magpies will not do anything if ruckman Brodie Grundy remains at the club, which remains a possibility.
While the club is open to trading Grundy should he wish to move, and would subsidise some of the remainder of his five-year contract, the club is not in an Adam Treloar position that would require forcing the two-time All-Australian ruckman out of the club at any cost and would expect a reasonable draft pick in compensation.
Grundy has met with Melbourne, Geelong and Port Adelaide but wants to remain in Victoria if he is to leave Collingwood.
He has met with Demons coach Simon Goodwin and captain Max Gawn and was to meet with the Melbourne midfield group last Thursday. Melbourne’s interest in Grundy is as a contingency in the likely event that young forward-ruck Luke Jackson seeks a trade to Fremantle.
Left to right: GWS Giants’ Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto; Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey and Brodie Grundy.Credit: Getty Images
Collingwood are interested in GWS pair Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper and are is likely to bring in free agent Daniel McStay on a five-year deal worth about $600,000 a year as well as Giants small forward and flanker Bobby Hill. The scope to bring in players on significant contract terms would hinge on Grundy leaving.
With Richmond firming as the likely option for Taranto, sources have said Collingwood have increased their interest in Hopper, who missed most of this year with a knee injury, and discussed Mitchell, whom Magpies coach Craig McRae worked with when he was an assistant at Hawthorn.
Collingwood have routinely been beaten in clearances this season and it is this area of the ground the club would look to bolster should Grundy depart.
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