The 2015 free agency and trade period looks to be busy for the Hawks. There is the opportunity to sign a big name player in Patrick Dangerfield, but there may also trade for another established ruckman.
Dangerfield should be a high priority for the Hawks. Current reports suggest that he will end up at Geelong, but the Hawks can offer something the Cats can’t: the chance of winning a premiership.
That is a strong appeal for any player, and the Hawks have the room in the salary cap to make a play for Dangerfield.
Dangerfield will provide the Hawks with more inside grunt, run and carry on the outside, and the ability to go forward and kick goals – the sort of versatility the Hawks like.
Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell are ageing well but only have two to three years remaining in their illustrious careers. If the Hawks secure Dangerfield’s services they will have someone able to maintain that strong presence for the Hawks in the midfield after Hodge and Mitchell retire.
The Hawks may also trade for an established ruckman, if – as expected – 2015 is David Hale’s last season.
The Hawks recently traded for Ben McEvoy, not only due to the departure of Max Bailey but also with an eye to Hale’s retirement. Unfortunately for the Hawks, McEvoy is yet to provide the level of consistency they would have expected.
He spent a good portion of the 2014 season playing with Box Hill, only getting the call up for the grand final due to structural reasons. This season he has found himself in the VFL once again, with Hale and Jonathon Ceglar the preferred ruck combination.
To replace Hale, the Hawks could draft an 18-year-old and develop him, but ruckmen sometimes take years to develop. It also would place the Hawks in a predicament where, if through injury or suspension, McEvoy or Ceglar were unable to play this youngster would have to play a role he would not be ready for.
Trading in an established ruckman is the best alternative, as they would receive a player able to come into the side from the outset. It also could present the Hawks with the opportunity to find a ruckman capable of providing consistency.
But which ruckman should they target? And who would they be willing to trade?
It certainly shapes as an interesting offseason for the reigning premiers.
Robert
Guest
No and one reason why COLA
Jason Crawford
Roar Rookie
He has found himself in the VFL again, because like last year he is not going to come straight back into the side because both Hale and Ceglar are putting in better performances. Yes to replace Hale, because including Pittonet there are 4 ruckmen in total on the list. Hale retires and that becomes 3, which is a problem if you have injuries. Pittonet was not mentioned because there will be a requirement to replace Hale. Which young ruckmen take a while to develop, it is more then likely going to be no sooner then next season that he starts getting a couple of games here and there to introduce him to AFL level. Rarely do you see top 4 premiership contending sides play a second year ruckman as the number 1 or 2 ruckman. Which Pittonet will be in his second year next season. But again the main point is yes they did draft Pittonet, but should Hale retire as is expected that leaves 3 ruckman on the list instead of 4. So they will need to cover that.
Luke
Guest
Maybe interest in Treloar also... but Jake Carlisle may come up... Leunberger is a FA.
NL
Guest
"This season he (McEvoy) has found himself in the VFL once again, with Hale and Jonathon Ceglar the preferred ruck combination." McEvoy has only played one game at Box Hill this year, last week, when returning from injury. "To replace Hale, the Hawks could draft an 18-year-old and develop him, but ruckmen sometimes take years to develop." Last year Hawthorn drafted Marc Pittonet, a 202cm ruckman who has just turned 19. He has played 6 out of the 7 games for Box Hill and looks promising.
philhammond
Roar Rookie
So if the Hawks land Dangerfield and a ruckman, will the AFL also ban them from making trades for two years for no discernible reason other than because they were better at balancing their budgets than other teams, like the Swans were last season? God forbid the AFL place half the scrutiny on Melbourne-based clubs they do on the Swans.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
It will be very interesting to see how far the Hawks dip into the raiders market again. If they go a couple more it'd be interesting to see what this does to team cohesion, particularly under adversity. While there's no questioning the level of talent they have, a big part of sustained success is having a key mass of players who have forged their bonds through years of adversity together. The Cats had that in spades as did/does Hawthorn, but it will be interesting at what point of bringing in new guns for hire does this start to fray at the edges. Is Hodges' (along with Clarkson's) will the glue that keeps this all together at the moment? I get the sense that should Hodge retire, or be lost for an extended period, there will be a whole different dynamic for them to manage at Hawkland.