AFL trade & re-signing news: Will Day commits to Hawthorn until 2027

The departures and small returns for Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara shocked many in the football world. But is this why the Hawks were so keen to move them on?

Re-signed Hawthorn star Will Day has credited the departures of Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara with his permanent move to the midfield as he looks to emulate his favourite player, Marcus Bontempelli.

The Herald Sun can exclusively reveal that Day has recommitted until 2027 in what is the biggest show of faith yet in coach Sam Mitchell’s rebuild.

The South Australia’s contract was sealed with a hug from Mitchell in list manager Mark McKenzie’s office at Waverley on Tuesday.

Day, 21, joins captain James Sicily (2027), housemate Dylan Moore, Jai Newcombe, Karl Amon and Mitch Lewis (all 2026) to all buy in to Mitchell’s vision long term.

Will Day has signed on with the Hawks. Picture: Michael Klein

“If we still had the list we did last year I probably wouldn’t be in the middle as much, so it’s been a great opportunity for me,” Day told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“It means players like myself have to step up now, which is a bit of a responsibility, and we’re trying to fast-track that as much as we can.

“I’ve loved it. I finally had a full pre-season as well and to do that in the midfield I feel like a bit of a new player. I want to be an elite midfielder so clearances, contested possessions are two I want to keep improving.”

Day was drafted at No. 13 in 2019, taken with the club’s first top-15 pick since Cyril Rioli went at No. 12 in 2007.

Day weighed just 70kg – “I actually can’t believe I was that light” – and has since put on about 15kg of muscle.

“Growing up being a lighter frame all the way through it‘s been something that I’ve had to go to the nth degree to do to still have an impact on games physically.

“Now that I’m starting to put on a bit more size it’s coming together a bit more. But I’ve always tried to pride myself on really putting my body on the line.”

A skinnier Will Day in his first season as a Hawk. Picture: Getty Images

Putting his body on the line has cost Day appearances in the past two Easter Monday blockbusters. Last year Day was concussed the week before and in 2021 he broke his ankle the previous week.

“Definitely at the start of the year it's the one game that catches your eye … so I’m glad to get to this one unscathed,” he said.

When North Melbourne’s Griffin Logue bumped Day in the head last week his mum was worried nervous lightning would strike for a third time.

Logue was suspended, but Day was barely dazed. In fact, he kept fighting for the footy and his courage was lauded by Mitchell post-match.

“When I was on the ground I just sort of looked for the ball and tried to keep it in for a ball-up,” Day said.

“It wasn't really something I thought about at the time. When I looked at the vision after it was probably a bigger hit than I thought it was.”

Day grew up supporting Hawthorn and Gold Coast. His grandfather Robert Day played in the Hawks’ 1971 flag and his cousin Sam Day has played 147 games for the Suns.

Growing up his grandfather, who was also a centreman, always made Day kick on his left foot.

“When I was a junior, he really tried to teach me how to play midfield and it's been great that I’ve been able to get in there as a Hawthorn player now and I think he’s really proud of what I’ve become,” Day said.

“He was really big on having both sides of my body in terms of kicking in handballing. That's probably been the biggest thing which has really helped me, just being able to get out of trouble both ways.”

So much of Hawthorn’s future sleeps in Day and Moore’s house Highett. Moore, along with Luke Breust, is vice-captain and listening to Day it’s not hard to see why.

Dylan Moore has impressed Day with his leadership and passion for the club. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s one of the most important people at our club, not just players,” Day said.

“He’s a great connecter between everyone from the people who work upstairs to the players and just his leadership and passion for the club as well is pretty special.

“You always see him going up and he has great relationships with everyone upstairs. There’s no token relationships with Moorey, he invests in everyone and really cares about everyone.”

And what is it about Sam the coach that made Day want to sign for so long?

“His confidence is what stands out to me,” Day said.

“As a new coach it’s probably easy to just play it safe for the first little period. But the fact that he’s so confident in his ways and he knows what’s going to be best for us moving forward is his biggest strength, and also instilling that confidence into us as players as well.”

Originally published as AFL trade & re-signing news: Will Day commits to Hawthorn until 2027