AFL trade news 2023: Tyler Brockman traded to West Coast picks 44 and 63

Tyler Brockman is on his way to Western Australia after Hawthorn agreed to a deal with West Coast. Now what’s the next phase of the Hawks trade and draft strategy?

Jack Darling pictured with Jeremy McGovern. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Hawthorn will move on to the next phase of its trade and draft strategy after granting talented small forward Tyler Brockman his wish to join West Coast.

After an initial stalemate between the two clubs, the Hawks and the Eagles setted on a trade lodged on Saturday for picks 44 and 63 in this year’s draft, allowing Brockman to return to his home state and join his good mate Liam Ryan in West Coast colours.

While reluctant to give up the 20-year-old, Hawthorn said on Saturday it understood his desire to be closer to his family, given he and his partner have two young daughters.

The trade means Hawthorn can prioritise its next moves, which includes a desire to bring in Gold Coast’s Mabior Chol and Essendon’s Massimo D’Ambrosio to Waverley, while Hawks triple premiership player and contracted Lion Jack Gunston is also keen to rejoin the club.

The Hawks are also negotiating with Richmond over Jacob Koschitzke’s desire to land at Punt Road.

Tyler Brockman is headed to West Coast. Picture: Getty Images

Hawthorn’s list and recruiting manager Mark McKenzie said the club understood Brockman’s desire to return home.

“Having become a father to beautiful twin girls, his desire to move his young children and partner back home to be with family in Perth is an understandable one,” McKenzie said.

“Whilst we know Tyler has enjoyed and felt supported during his time at Hawthorn, and we would have loved to see him continue his career here, we respected his desire to be traded.

“We’d like to thank Tyler for his contribution to our football club, we are very proud of his development both on and off the field over the past three years and we wish him, his partner Tyrah, and their twin daughters, Amaliah and Amyrah the very best for the future.

“They will always be a part of the Hawthorn family.”

The Eagles had long targeted Brockman and had been keen to take him in his draft year before the Hawks chose him at pick 46 in the 2020 draft.

“We were keen on Tyler in his initial draft year so it is very pleasing to have this deal done that now brings him to the club,” West Coast list manager Rohan O’Brien said.

“Doing the deal at this stage means that Tyler can be here for the start of pre-season and he has certainty as he prepares to bring his young family home.”

EAGLES HIT BACK AT ‘UNTRUE’ TRADE RUMOURS

West Coast has squashed “completely unfounded and untrue” speculation forward Jack Darling is on the trade table.

In an unusual move, the Eagles publicly flattened reports about Darling, as well as midfielder Elliot Yeo and defender Liam Duggan, being available to strengthen the club’s draft hand and accelerate its rebuild.

West Coast posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday afternoon that “media speculation about the club discussing trades involving Elliot Yeo, Jack Darling and Liam Duggan are completely unfounded and untrue”.

Media speculation about the club discussing trades involving Elliot Yeo, Jack Darling and Liam Duggan are completely unfounded & untrue.

— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) October 14, 2023

The tweet came in response to a back page story in The West Australian on Saturday in which reported the Eagles “have made veteran Jack Darling available” in the trade period.

The story stated a Darling, 31, trade would be part of West Coast’s push to add more draft picks or be part of a blockbuster swap including the Eagles’ No. 1 choice. Darling has booted 510 goals in 277 matches for the Eagles and managed 26 majors in a wooden-spoon year in 2023.

Jack Darling pictured with Jeremy McGovern. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

West Coast currently holds picks 1, 23, 37, 44, 58 and 63 in next month’s draft.

Clubs have been clamouring to claim No. 1 and the rights to young phenom Harley Reid and North Melbourne offered a bevy of selections in the teens for that choice, but it was knocked back.

The Roos are best placed to move up to the top pick given they hold selections 2, 3, 15, 17 and 18.

Melbourne could make a play with picks 6 and 11, while Hawthorn is also keen and holds No.4.

West Coast list boss Rohan O’Brien said on Monday an offer that “makes us turn our head” would be needed to secure the top pick.

Reid has been adamant that he would happily move to Perth if selected by the Eagles.

Originally published as AFL trade news 2023: Tyler Brockman traded to West Coast picks 44 and 63