Brownlow medalist Shane Crawford has suggested Essendon make a bold play for Geelong star forward Tom Hawkins.
Hawkins, who remains out-of-contract at the season's end, has become the league's hottest forward after booting six goals against Port Adelaide to lead the Coleman Medal chase with 30 goals.
With the Bombers fighting for a finals position, Crawford said that the clubs' ongoing forward struggles would be solved if they were to attract Hawkins away from Kardinia Park in the off-season.
“He‘s a Cat, he’s been a Cat all his life," Crawford said on Wide World of Sports' The Final Whistle.
"However, he’s been getting one-year contracts. And yes, they will give him another contract next year for a year, but if you need a key forward for the next few years I’d suggest go and have a chat with Tom Hawkins and his management."
“Offer up a two-year deal, maybe even three, I reckon he would think about that. I just think from a stability point of view, to know he‘s in the best form of his life, he’s got a family connection with the Essendon club (CEO Xavier Campbell is his cousin).”
The Bombers will look to add forward stocks for their 2021 list to either pair with or replace key forward Joe Daniher.