IT HAS been a huge first week of the trade period; one which Hawthorn has been heavily involved in as it looks to add some ready-made talent to its list ahead of 2017.
The Hawks have been involved in three moves already, with the potential for a couple more to be completed by the end of the trade window.
Let’s recap what has happened so far in the trade period and what could happen in the coming week.
DONE DEALS
Vickery moves as a free agent
After Hawthorn tabled a two-year contract to Tyrone Vickery at the start of the week, Richmond elected not to match the deal which saw the key forward sign with the Hawks under free agency.
The former number eight draft pick has played 119 career games thus far and will boost the Hawks key position stocks after the club lost Jonathon Ceglar to an ACL injury late this season and the return date of Jarryd Roughead still unknown.
The Tigers received pick 26 as compensation for Vickery leaving Punt Road, which has been moved to pick 27 following Fremantle receiving pick 23 as compensation for free agent Chris Mayne heading to Collingwood.
Swan changes feathers
After asking for a trade to Hawthorn, Sydney Swan Tom Mitchell is on his way to Waverley after an in principle agreement was reached between the two clubs on Wednesday.
The ball magnet rebuffed an offer from the Swans to stay in Sydney and asked to return to Victoria after playing 26 matches in 2016 and averaging an impressive 27.9 disposals per game – including 26 touches and two goals in this year’s grand final.
Hawthorn’s first selection in this year’s NAB AFL Draft – pick 14 – will be handed over to the Swans, as well as an exchange of later picks to be finalised before the end of the trade period.
Hill goes home
Wingman Bradley Hill is going home to Perth to play alongside his brother Stephen at Fremantle, with a trade struck between the Hawks and Dockers on Thursday morning.
The trade will see Fremantle’s pick 23 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft – a compensation selection they received for Chris Mayne moving to Collingwood – go to the Hawks in exchange for Hill.
After debuting in 2012, the 23-year-old played 95 games at Hawthorn, including the 2013, 2014 and 2015 premierships.
WHAT IS TO COME
Mitchell heads West?
Hawthorn star Sam Mitchell revealed on SEN yesterday he is open to relocating to the West Coast Eagles as he considers a move into coaching once his playing career is over.
"I'm in a bit of a funny spot, because if I stay at Hawthorn that's great and I've had a great career there and will continue to do so," Mitchell said
"If the move is to West Coast, I'd be excited by the prospect, and I feel like I've done the right thing by Hawthorn if that's what eventuates.”
“Both Hawthorn and West Coast will continue discussions with Sam focusing on his long-term future,” Hawthorn Recruiting and List Manager Graham Wright said.
“There is still a long way to go before any trade decision is made.”
O’Meara the Hawk
Arguably the biggest trade of the 2016 exchange period is yet to be finalised, with the Gold Coast Suns and Hawthorn yet to agree to terms on a deal which would see 2013 NAB Rising Star winner Jaeger O’Meara move to Waverley.
Having traded pick 14 to Sydney for Tom Mitchell, the Hawks can offer the Suns their 2017 first-round selection but would almost certainly have to add more picks or established players into the mix to get the deal done.
Both clubs will continue to negotiate a trade into next week.
