THE 2013 trade period came to an end at 2pm on Friday with the Hawks having a reasonably quiet three weeks.
The Hawks shocked the football community on day four of the three-week period by securing St Kilda ruckman Ben McEvoy in a coup for the Club.
Hawthorn and St Kilda agreed on the trade which saw emerging midfielder Shane Savage and pick 17* depart and McEvoy arrive at the Ricoh Centre.
The 24 year old’s inclusion strengthens the Club’s ruck division and fills the number one ruck role, which he has held at St Kilda since 2011 after the retirement of premiership player, Max Bailey.
The 200cm ruckman is a talented tap ruckman whose contested marking is among the best in the competition. He has good endurance and is mobile for a big man - he will be a valuable inclusion for the Hawks in 2014.
The only other trade action for the Hawks saw it swap picks with the Saints on Tuesday – sending its first round compensation selection (pick 19*) for the loss of Lance Franklin to St Kilda in exchange for selections 24 and 59.
Franklin announced his intentions to explore his options via free agency in the aftermath of the 2013 premiership win and soon signalled his intentions to join Sydney.
The Club had the right to match the offer made by the Swans to Franklin under the AFL’s free agency rules but opted to allow him to join the 2012 premiers.
Hawthorn received a first round pick as compensation from the AFL (number 19), which was traded to St Kilda.
2008 Premiership player Xavier Ellis also departed the Club for West Coast as an unrestricted free agent.
The Club did not receive compensation for his departure because of the length and of his new deal at the Eagles and his age.
At the conclusion of the exchange period, the Club has five vacant spots on its senior list following the retirements of Bailey, Brent Guerra and Michael Osborne plus the departures of Franklin and Ellis.
That means if there are no further acquisitions via the delisted free agency period or rookie upgrades, the Club will have five selections in the 2013 National Draft.
The Club holds picks 24, 38, 56, 59 and 74.
How the Hawks fared during the trade and free agency period
IN: Ben McEvoy, pick 24 and pick 59.
OUT: Shane Savage, pick 17*, pick 19, Lance Franklin (free agent) and Xavier Ellis (free agent).
*Draft choices allocated before compensation for the loss of free agents were awarded by the AFL.
