Hawthorn's potential reunion with triple premiership forward and Brisbane veteran Jack Gunston is expected to hinge on the Waverley club finalising their prioritised trade plans before looking to settle a deal with the Lions.
Gunston, who is under contract with Brisbane, stunningly requested a trade back to the Hawks just 12 months on from his move to the Lions.
The request has seemingly blindsided the Hawks less than a week out from the trade period deadline, while the Lions are keen to hold onto the 31-year-old given he is a contract and required player.
However, Brisbane are open to commencing talks with the Hawks over a deal that would see Gunston depart the club just one season on from his move north from Hawthorn.
According toย The Herald Sun,ย the Hawks are set to place their previous trade plans as a priority before Wednesday evening's deadline before a move for Gunston is considered.
The publication's report suggests Hawthorn's interest in the senior sharpshooter is limited, with the Victorian club wanting to secure trades that see them land Gold Coast's Mabior Chol and Essendon's Massimo D'Ambrosio.
Another factor in the matter is Brisbane's reported interest in Hawthorn tall forward Brandon Ryan, who joined the club via the Mid-Season Draft just months ago out of the VFL.
The Hawks are said to be keen on holding onto Ryan, looking to use him in their forward line plans for next season and beyond alongside Chol and first-string attacker Mitch Lewis.
Fringe forward Jacob Koschitzke is seeking a move to Richmond and is likely the only player on the way out of Hawthorn this week.
The Hawks currently have Picks 4, 33, 44, 54 and 63 for this year's draft, having acquired two of their three later selections from West Coast over the weekend in a deal that saw Tyler Brockman become an Eagle.
Other Victorian clubs are likely to place some attention toward the Gunston situation if a move to the Hawks fails to transpire, with the likes of Melbourne, Collingwood and St Kilda potentially keen on the key forward following their finals campaigns.
