Newly-appointed Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has spoken on the speculation surrounding the future of several senior players at the club.
The Hawks' list management has gained plenty of attention in recent days following a letter sent to members on Thursday by president Jeff Kennett, which suggested some degree of warning that fans "may be surprised" by the club's trade calls this off-season.
The letter prompted some to believe the futures of contracted quartet Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O'Meara, Jack Gunston and Chad Wingard could be under some uncertainty, with the Hawks looking to strengthen their draft hand for next month's count.
Port Adelaide are already understood to be showing interest in O'Meara, with other rival clubs potentially circling senior Hawks ahead of Wednesday's trade period deadline.
Reports emerged on Friday that Sam Mitchell was contacting other clubs to "spark interest" in trade discussions, however the Hawks senior coach rebuffed any suggestion that was the case.
"Every phone call you get from another club in those discussions, the club takes of course," Mitchell toldย 7 News.ย
"My conversations certainly were not specific with any of the coaches from any other clubs.
โSomeone like Craig McRae, I worked with him all year. We still talk, weโre still friends, we still chat about what itโs like, first few days on the job, first month on the job, nothing specific around players at all.โ
โThere have been no conversations with other clubs about those guys that has got to any sort of level thatโs worth even talking to the players about it.
"If there's anything of substance ill be on the phone straight away."
New Hawks coach Sam Mitchell has stopped short of guaranteeing all his star players will remain at the club. @cleary_mitch spoke exclusively to Mitchell, who is bracing for a hectic next few days. https://t.co/Yb9MDoqFEj #7AFL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/9cq80lMm7h
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) October 8, 2021
When questioned on Kennett's email to the Hawks faithful, Mitchell stated it may have caught some key figures at the club off-guard.
"Jeff can be a little bit unpredictable to say the least," Mitchell added.
Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell has had his future at Waverley placed under the microscope throughout this season, however the Hawks ball-magnet denied any substance to those suggestions.
"I think it's just speculation," he said. "I'm very happy here."
Hawthorn currently hold Picks 5, 21, 24, 56, 62 for the 2021 National Draft.
