Hawthorn have decided not to offer Cooper Stephens and Clay Tucker new contracts for the 2025 season.

The list cuts sees Stephens depart the Hawks after two years with the club, with the young midfielder having joined from Geelong in a trade deal in 2022 that also involved Collingwood.

Stephens played seven AFL games with the Cats prior to his switch to Hawthorn.

Injury and form would only limit Stephens to VFL football during his time as a Hawk, with the onballer featuring for Box Hill on 32 occasions.

Tucker joined the Hawks as the third overall pick in last year's Mid-Season Draft out of the Eastern Ranges.

Injuries would also play a part in limiting the young ruckman's chances of an AFL debut, with Tucker kept to 21 games for Box Hill after being handed an AFL list spot.

โ€œWe'd like to thank Cooper and Clay for the contributions they have given to the Hawks in recent seasons,โ€ Hawks list manager Mark McKenzie said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 15: Cooper Stephens of the Hawks is tackled by Sam Frost of the Hawks during the Hawthorn Hawks AFL intra club match at La Trobe University on February 15, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

โ€œWhile these sorts of decisions always take place at this time of the year, it can be a difficult time for those involved.

โ€œOn behalf of the entire club, I'd like to wish both Cooper and Clay the very best in their next chapters.โ€

The pair of departures are the first of Hawthorn's initial list plans ahead of the 2025 season, while veteran Chad Wingard has announced his retirement.

The club is expecting to attain St Kilda free agent Josh Battle and West Coast defender Tom Barrass during next month's player movement period.