Contracted Hawthorn duo Tom Mitchell and Jack Gunston could be susceptible to exits from the Hawks amid the club's rebuild and coaching handover to club great Sam Mitchell.
The pair have both recently been linked to potential moves to rival clubs, withย SEN'sย Sam Edmund now reporting that there are "no guarantees" for the star duo.
Mitchell was reportedly open to a move elsewhereย should a keen Victorian club come calling, with any report of the sort extinguished by Alastair Clarkson at the time.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
However, with Sam Mitchell potentially looking to refreshen the club's list for next season, the Brownlow medalist could be one to depart should Hawthorn look to acquire draft capital for the future.
At 29 years of age, Gunston may also be seen as a viable trade option in order to further strengthen the Hawks' draft hand, with the sharpshooting forward already believed to be in the sights of the Demons.
Speaking onย Crunch Time,ย Edmund revealed that while the Hawks would be keen to retain the pair, suitable offers could sway their thinking.
โThereโs certainly plenty of whispers about Tom Mitchell being open for a trade,โ Edmund said.
โMy understanding is Jack Gunston is more inclined to stay than Tom, do they reset under Sam Mitchell aggressively?
โHawthorn want to keep both is my understanding, on the assumption that the big offer doesnโt come (from elsewhere), but thereโs no guarantees.โ
The Hawks will enter the 2021 National Draft with the fifth overall selection as they are likely to hold their first-round pick to further bolster their young stocks.
Incoming senior coach Mitchell will inherit a rich list of young stars, with the likes of Changkuoth Jiath, Will Day, Dylan Moore, Jack Scrimshaw, James Worpel and Denver Grainger-Barras all aged 22 or under.
With finals an unlikely outcome for the Hawks over the next two seasons, a chance at a premiership for the likes of Gunston and Mitchell may come with greater opportunities elsewhere.
Gunston was understood to be among those that stood up in support of Clarkson during the club's messy handling of their coaching handover, with the Hawks spearhead reportedly vehement in how the four-time premiership coach's position at the club was being questioned by younger players.
