The Hawks are a fair way away from another flag, and the reality is that Alastair Clarkson's side are in the midst of a rebuild.
Whilst they have some youngsters coming through, they still sit almost smack bang in the middle of the pack for average squad age, meaning they could use some younger, established talent to reinforce their team.
5 Trade Targets: Adelaide
5 Trade Targets: Brisbane
5 Trade Targets: Carlton
5 Trade Targets: Collingwood
5 Trade Targets: Essendon
5 Trade Targets: Fremantle
5 Trade Targets: Geelong
5 Trade Targets: Gold Coast
5 Trade Targets: GWS
We continue our ‘Five trade targets for every club’ series with Hawthorn.
In no particular order, here are five players which the Hawks recruitment team would do well to target and potentially poach.
The young GWS defender has been one of the standouts for Leon Cameron's side over the course of the year with his partnership with Nick Haynes being pivotal.
Despite being struck down with arthritis at the start of the year, Taylor has come back and proved to be one of the most solid players in GWS' lineup.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
The 22-year-old averages 5.1 contested defence one-on-ones per game and is ranked sixth in the league for intercepts per game, top level numbers for a defender.
Should he make the move down south to Victoria, he would become one of the main men in the Hawks defence. Alongside Changkuoth Jiath and Sam Frost at the back, Taylor making the switch would provide a sound base for Hawthorn to build from.
The Dockers small forward would be a great acquisition for the Hawks, with a zippy small attacker to complement the likes of Mitch Lewis and Jacob Koschitzke being what Alastair Clarkson needs for the future.
His ability to intercept and pressure is impressive to watch. In the six games he's played for the Dockers in 2021, Switkowski has averaged 2.2 intercepts and six score involvements per game, which are elite numbers for a small forward.
The fact that the 24-year-old played for Box Hill before being snapped up by the Dockers would bode well for him, with a return home perhaps what he needs to take his career up a notch.
Should he decide to head to Waverley Park, expect Switkowski to excite with his fast leg speed and tenacity, bringing another dimension to the Hawthorn attack.
Despite being linked with a host of other Victorian clubs, Cerra going to the Hawks could be great for both parties.
Playing in a talented midfield with the likes of Tom Mitchell, Chad Wingard and Jaeger O'Meara would be huge for his development, especially if Alastair Clarkson is still the coach come next year.
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The 21-year-old puts up some decent numbers for a man of his age. Cerra averages 8.1 effective kicks, 4.5 inside 50s and 359 metres gained per game, all above average figures that show his ability to be a calm head amongst chaos.
The truth is that any potential buyers for Cerra will have to fork out a premium offer to be able to secure his signature. Hawthorn are said to have the room to make some huge moves this trade period, and the Victorian born young gun could be on their shopping list.
This tall Demon hasn't really set the world alight so far in his AFL career. Injury coupled with personal form has stunted Weideman's life in the big time, with many recommending a change in clubs to be the solution.
The Victorian has played a more unselfish role in Simon Goodwin's side, bringing the ball to ground for the smaller men to feast on instead of being hit up on a lead.
His 2021 stats aren't anything to write home about, only managing three majors in his five appearances as well as averaging 1.6 marks inside 50 per game. However, the hallmarks are there of a star forward should he get the role he desires.
Although the Hawks already have Jacob Koschitzke and Mitch Lewis down in attack, bringing in Weideman could be just the thing he needs to revive his career and perhaps fulfil the talent that many believe he has.
It seems every time one of these 'Five targets...' is written, CCJ steps up his game even more. In the week just gone, he was one of the Tigers' best players in their loss to the Eagles with his movement around the ground pertinent to their game-plan.
His ruck-forward style of play could be the ticket for the Hawks with Ben McEvoy not getting any younger and the need for talented youth increasing by year.
In just his three games for the Tigers, Coleman-Jones has booted eight goals boasting a rate of 80% goal accuracy. His work around the contest is also sublime, averaging 2.7 contested marks and 8.3 contested possessions per game, all elite level numbers for a man of his position.
The fact of the matter is that the Tigers aren't going to be able to keep all of their out-of-contract stars. It'll have to be one of CCJ or Mabior Chol who will be offered a contract, and Hawthorn should be in the young South Australian's ear about making the switch should his deal with Richmond not transpire.