Trading block: Which Hawks could see the door in a bid to bring in a new era?

With just two top-25 selections on his list, Sam Mitchell needs more talent. This is why he needs to consider putting these five players on the trading block.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA – JULY 10: Hawks assistant coach Sam Mitchell looks on before the round 17 AFL match between Hawthorn Hawks and Fremantle Dockers at University of Tasmania Stadium on July 10, 2021 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Sam Mitchell’s 277 career Brownlow votes is the raised middle finger to the idea that only top-25 draft picks can dominate at AFL level.

But as his self-confessed “baptism of fire” continues Mitchell would be well aware he cannot win Hawthorn’s next premiership with just two top-25 selections on his list.

The Hawks will secure another early pick this November but as the new boss of the club’s list direction he might need to trade out some of his premiership teammates Alistair Clarkson used so many picks to trade in.

Mitchell was the outrider but consider the five Hawks who won four flags alongside him taken with elite picks — Luke Hodge (pick 1), Jarryd Roughead (pick 2), Jordan Lewis (pick 7), Cyril Rioli (pick 12) and Grant Birchall (pick 14), with Shaun Burgoyne (pick 12) winning his fourth total flag as well.

Not many pick 88s among them.

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Sam Mitchell has some tough calls to make to increase his stocks at the trade table.

The Hawks have only Denver Grainger-Barras (pick 6) and Will Day (pick 13) on their list as players taken in the first 25 selections.

So he will need to find more early picks to win that next piece of silverware and the only way he can do it by trading out established talent.

As Fox Footy’s First Crack expert Leigh Montagna says, there are five players with currency at the trade table Mitchell could consider.

He believes Luke Breust and Jack Gunston are not exactly untouchable, then at least players who Mitchell should retain from a cultural standpoint given their history and leadership.

Tom Mitchell, Chad Wingard and Jaeger O’Meara are all very different players but have almost identical levels of currency.

All 28 or about to be, all with huge strengths and yet queries about their playing styles, all capable of topping off a team in the premiership window.

Montagna says if the Hawks could secure a mid-teens pick for any of them they should seriously consider it.

In addition to mid-season and summer picks Lachie Bramble, Jackson Callow and Jai Newcombe they would secure picks 2 (on current order), a pick around 15, and the second-round pick currently at pick 21.

The 287-game veteran says Wingard and Mitchell are the players the Hawks should most seriously consider trading.

Leigh Montagna says Chad Wingard would be ideal for a club which is contending and needs class in the front half.

CHAD WINGARD

Wingard is desperate to stay — or at least was under Clarkson — saying “I do feel valued, and they do see me as part of their future going forward”.

He averages 19.5 possessions, 81 ranking points, has kicked only seven goals and is 28 next Thursday.

“I think he has real currency for a club that is contending and needs class in the front half,” Montagna said.

“He would be in high demand for a team that is contending. You would give up a first-round pick but not inside 10. If you knew you were contending you would give up a pick between 12 and 18 to top off your list. We aren’t seeing the best of him, he is a player who would thrive at a club that is winning games and it’s tough for him in the role he plays now.”

Jack Gunston would be ideal as support for a young developing tall in a team emerging as a genuine contender.

JACK GUNSTON

Gunston turns 30 in October, and unlike the 28-year-olds who could play until 33 or 34 he will almost certainly not be in the next Hawks premiership side.

A back injury has decimated his season but Gunston was prepared to be traded to a contender last year before the club shut down all overtures.

He would immediately make a contender better or support a young developing tall like Ben King.

But despite averaging 22 games across his previous eight seasons, he would need extensive medical tests from clubs who might consider him.

“I think Gunston is one the Hawks need to keep,” Montagna said.

“He has currency but with the young forward line they have got they would be craving his leadership. No doubt clubs will ask about him and maybe they would give up a late first-rounder. He is slightly older but I could see him playing for longer.”

Superstar midfielder Tom Mitchell is simply a plug-in and play star for any club.

TOM MITCHELL

It has become fashionable to beat up on Brownlow medallist Mitchell given his possessions have lacked impact this year.

Averaging 34 possessions, he has only two games with over 500 total metres gained — last week (615m) and against Carlton (609m).

Can he bounce back to the 2018 Brownlow form that saw him averaging eight clearances (4.4 this year) and 129 ranking points (114 points)?

Montagna says a host of clubs should consider Mitchell as a plug-and-play star.

“I think we are a bit harsh on Mitchell. He has had a very good year. Yes, he has flaws. But you have to look at what players can do, not just what they can’t.

“If the Hawk thought they could get a pick in the teens you look at the long list of clubs who need an extra midfielder.

“Whether it’s Port Adelaide or Sydney, or a club like Carlton who has the famous family ties (with father and ex-Blue Barry). If I was the Hawks I would want more than pick 20 given he’s 28 and a Brownlow medallist.’’

Jaeger O’Meara has struggling in recent weeks, but his career stats reveal a top-flight midfielder.

JAEGER O’MEARA

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

O’Meara, who turns 28 in February, has gone at 30 per cent efficiency by foot in the past three weeks.

Against Melbourne he went at 15 per cent efficiency, but break down the actual disposals and a handful were kicks off the ground, with others quick kicks out of a pack that were to a 50-50 contest with only a handful of outright clangers.

Before that three-week patch he was going at a respectable 63 per cent by foot averaging 6.1 clearances, with a kick rating that was actually in the positive.

“I would keep Jaeger, even though he has currency,” says Montagna.

What if the Hawks attempt to trade one and then they all want to go?

“Then you would need to have those conversations. You wouldn’t want to strip it back that much.

“You would be open to trading one and maybe two, but if they all left you would be taking a big step backwards and you would want to be really confident in the draft and your draft hand.”

Luke Breust was made to kick goals and, with 30 a season, who wouldn’t take a look at him?

LUKE BREUST

Bruest only signed up to the end of 2023 in February, absolutely committed to remaining in brown and gold.

But a player who turns 31 in November could easily slot into a team in contention and add 30 goals in a heartbeat.

“I think Gunston and Breust are close to untouchable,” says Montagna.

“Bruest is still playing at an All Australian level. You could argue he’s almost their best player and you still want to keep that kind of player.

“You keep your premiership stars, you want your young guys to see the guys who won those flags, and if you got rid of Gunston and Breust you would be losing all of your premiership stars with Shaun Burgoyne retiring and (Ben) McEvoy only having a year or two left.

“You want to keep the history and culture of the premiership stars.”

Originally published as Trading block: Which Hawks could see the door in a bid to bring in a new era?