Hawthorn looks primed to ramp up their player recruitment strategy after years of utilising the draft to build their current list, with trade and free agency moves likely to come a year on from one of their busier off-seasons in recent memory.
The Hawks added Massimo D'Ambrosio, Mabior Chol and Jack Ginnivan, and welcomed the return of triple premiership forward Jack Gunston last year, with all four already playing significant roles one way or another in 2024.
Inching toward their premiership contention window under coach Sam Mitchell, the Hawks may now see their top draft selections as disposable in a bid to lure star talent to Bunjil Bagora, while free agents are also sure to be high on the Hawks' wish list.
So who might be in Hawthorn's sights this year, and what positions can they fill in one of the most exciting sides currently in the AFL?
We name five potential trade targets for Hawthorn to consider...
OTHER TRADE TARGETS:ย ADELAIDE,ย BRISBANE,ย CARLTON,ย COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON,ย FREMANTLE, GEELONG, GOLD COAST, GWS
3. Josh Rotham
Not a name that would jump off the paper, but every club looking to contend needs experience among their depth options.
A cheaper defensive target for the Hawks to potentially consider, with the 193cm defender able to play on both tall and small opposing forwards while offering some run and ball work out of defence.
Unlikely a member of Sam Mitcghell's preferred back seven, but Rotham - who would come at no cost as a free agency target - can certainly add some depth to a squad that has had to rely on defensive reinforcements this year.
Rotham would bring eight years of AFL experience to the Hawks' list and can at the very least place some pressure on selection spots going forward.
