AFL trade news: Interstate suitor linked to out-of-contract Hawk

The high-flying Hawthorn forward is yet to re-sign with the club.

EDITOR | September 27, 2021 - 1:54pm

Port Adelaide are understood to have out-of-contract Hawk Tim O'Brien in their sights this off-season, according to reporter Sam Edmund.

Speaking on Trade Radio on Monday, Edmund revealed that the Power are a potential suitor for the 27-year-old, who is facing an uncertain future at Waverley.

O'Brien, along with fellow Hawks forward Oliver Hanrahan, will reportedly need to wait on a new deal at Hawthorn for 2022.

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The South Australian has played 97 games in the gold and brown across his tenure at the Hawks, including a career-high 19 appearances this year.

O'Brien could find himself venturing back to his home state in a move to Alberton, with the Power potentially looking to utilise the Mount Gambier product as a forward-defence utility, according to Edmund's report.

“Port Adelaide is one of the clubs that have enquired about Tim O’Brien, possibly even as a defender I’ve been told but clearly he can play forward as well," Edmund said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 21: Tim O'Brien of the Hawks celebrates a goal with Jaeger O'Meara of the Hawks during the 2019 AFL round 18 match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 21, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“He would offer some insurance up forward for Charlie Dixon, it’s very early in the process here and if it does come to fruition, you’d think it would be later rather than sooner.

“But Port Adelaide has come knocking for Tim O’Brien.”

Port Adelaide have reportedly held a medical for Greater Western Sydney spearhead Jeremy Finlayson, who could add further support to key-forward Charlie Dixon.

The Power already boast strong tall targets in attack, with Dixon and young pair Mitch Georgiades and Todd Marshall aiding Ken Hinkley's side to a preliminary final finish for the second-straight season.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 23: Brodie Grundy of the Magpies and Peter Ladhams of the Power compete for the ball during the 2021 AFL Round 10 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 23, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Port ruckman-forward Peter Ladhams is understood to have been granted permission to assess his options elsewhere despite being contracted for next season.